Friends, today's post sadly concludes my Mad Men style files...for now at least! I'm so pleased to now have such rich inspiration at my fingertips and I know I'll be referring to these images often. I hope you'll find them useful in months to come as well!

I absolutely had to round this journey off with my ultimate Mad Men style icon, sugary-sweet Betty Draper. I cringe at my own predictability, but even though I love many aspects of different characters' wardrobes, Betty's is the one that truly makes my heart sing. I love how she is still very much a 1950s dresser resisting the more looming styles of the 1960s. And even though I'm not a huge fan of 1960s styles, when Betty occasionally succumbs to them, she pulls them off flawlessly. Then there's her underlying loneliness and sadness that makes me want to look after her and tell her that everything's going to be ok and that Don is a baboon.

Knowing the depth of my feelings for Betty, you can imagine my devastation after discovering she didn't feature in the 1.5hr Season 5 premier. I'm hoping she'll come back with a bang soon - although admittedly most of the latter 1960s fashions in this episode (and entire series no doubt) left me cold.

Anyway, feast your eyes upon some of my favourite Betty outfits – I struggled to even narrow them down to this number, so be grateful there aren't more!

Images courtesy of Tom + Lorenzo.

Trudy is the only one who could probably give Betty a run for her money in the shirt-dress stakes, if only she had as much air time. Betty is seen wearing them on countless occasions - from light, summery ones, to darker and more sombre looks.


Worryingly, Betty's casual outfits are glamorous compared to mine! Doesn't the blue blouse look like a Sencha (Trudy also sports a similar one) - I really like the embroidery on the front and the back buttons.


This is just absurdly cool attire for a spot of rose-bush-clipping!

Chic is definitely a word that comes to mind when picturing Betty. Her use of scarves, neutral colours, nautical details and classic make-up is such a winning combination!

This little pink scalloped suit she wore in Italy has been beautifully recreated by Tilly and the nautical outfit (and its variations) seen in the series of photos below, is one of my favourite of the entire series!



Betty also has an array of pretty dresses that she wears during daytime outings and less formal events. This dotty one has been widely admired.

One day, I'd love to make myself a wiggle dress like these - I even have a similar blue-rose-print vintage fabric in my stash!

The sweet pink floral number below has been replicated beautifully by this gorgeous lady

To me this dreamy floral number is pure soft porn!!!

Just when you think it can't get better, there are Betty's divine evening gowns

She looks cute as a button in her lacy maternity number, glamorous in her long gloves and sophisticated in red

Didn't I tell you she does 1960s well!?!

I've left this for last because it's the edgiest and most stunning Betty's looked to date, which perhaps is an indication of what's to come in Season 5...

Is Betty amazing or what? Don't worry if you disagree, I won't hate you...much ;o)

I'm sad that this series is now over, but happy that I'll be sharing my very own Mad Men Dress Challenge post tomorrow. It's been so exciting seeing what you've all been making and I suspect there'll be a lot more posts popping up throughout the week!

*****
Fancy ogling my previous Mad Men style posts? Look no further...


Mad Men style files #1 - Faye Miller


Mad Men style files #2 – Jane & Megan  


Mad Men style files #3 – Rachel Menken  


Mad Men style files #4 – Trudy Campbell


Mad Men style files #5 – Peggy Olson


Mad Men style files #6 - Joan Harris (nee Holloway)
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
**Outrageous declaration warning**
Until I put this post together, I don't think I fully appreciated Joan's style. Yes, I knew she was hot and that her clothes were nice, but I think I was too hung up on the fact that they weren't necessarily styles I would wear.

Can you believe this? I'm finding it hard to understand myself! I mean her style is incredible - the stunning cut and fit of her clothes, the array of gorgeous colours, the incredible little details and not to mention her perfect pout and feline eyes. Oh and I love, love, love how she dispels all those ridiculous myths that redheads can't wear certain colours...Joanie looks great in pretty much all colours!

Right, so now I've discovered and declared my new obsession with Joan Harris (nee Holloway), I think it's only fair that I share some of my most favourite outfits of this saucy, sexy, sultry office temptress - images courtesy of Tom + Lorenzo. 

Joanie sure does rock hues of blues and purples

Just look at the neckline detailing in both these photos - so sweet!

It's not often you see Joan vulnerable, but she's even more lovable for it

Who said redheads can't wear pink and red? An idiot, that's who! She looks sweet as a pie in this pink number!

And isn't the low back of this dress and the bow detail too cute for words?!?

Despite the tears, Joanie's makeup is still flawless! I also love the asymmetric neckline and brooch.  

Another sweet neckline and brooch on the olive green dress!

Aqua is also a flattering colour on Joan and I particularly like the ruffled detail on the dress on the right - delicious!

It's not often you see Joanie wearing prints - she loves a good monochrome - but I'm pretty sure that there's nothing this gal can't pull off. Both outfits below totally float my boat!

Oh and did I mention that she also has a nice blouse or two?

Of course this post would not be complete without a few of Joan's signature dresses. The blue one has inspired lovely creations by the likes of Julia Bobbin and Joanne. And the black and rose print has been masterfully recreated by Gertie. You really must check these ladies' dresses out, you won't regret it!

And finally, my personal favourite! I love the colour, the sleeves and how silky the fabric looks. Just scrumptious!

Phew! I don't know about you, but I'm all fired up for Mad Men Season 5 now...just a few hours before we UK folk can get our fix!

Also, have you seen all the Mad Med Dress Challenge posts popping up all over the place? It's exhilarating! Have you taken part and will you be posting about it soon? I'll be sharing mine something this week for sure.

*****
Fancy ogling my previous Mad Men style posts? Look no further...

Mad Men style files #1 - Faye Miller

Mad Men style files #2 – Jane & Megan 

Mad Men style files #3 – Rachel Menken 

Mad Men style files #4 – Trudy Campbell

Mad Men style files #5 – Peggy Olson 
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
People, it's exactly one week until Julia Bobbin takes all the Mad Men challenge dresses and shares them in one maddeningly exciting post! I'm relieved to say that I've finally finished mine, so before I introduce today's Mad Men style icon, here's a sneaky peek for you:


Anyway, today we're looking at Peggy Olson - an interesting character who seems more into her career than her appearance. In fact when she first arrived on the scene, she was like a fashion-backwards country bumpkin, but her sense of style definitely improved with time. As does her hair thankfully!!! Although Peggy never reaches office vixen status (aka Joan), her style has it's own unique charm and generally seems very wearable - explaining perhaps why she has quite the following among stitching bloggers...myself included! 

As always images are courtesy of Tom + Lorenzo.

These sweet dresses have a late 1950s vibe to them (very similar Betty's get-ups) - Peggy gradually progressed into more of a 1960s gal, but she still donned this kind of attire for church and for visits with the priest.

Peggy is all about the neckline detail - be it bows, collars and other embellishments. I think this is why I love her wardrobe so much, I'm a sucker for neckline detail!


Her love of neckline detail transcends just blouses and tops - it's something she seems to go for in dresses too.




Oh, and she's quite fond of the occasional waistline detail too!

This dress really calls out to me, the colours, the sweetheart neckline! Hmmm, I think I may have a similar pattern in my stash...

And this dress is just pure class! Have you seen Julia Bobbin's stunning knockoff? You really should go take a look, it's seriously impressive!

How gorgeous is this deep red rose print dress? It's also super cool for incorporating a collar and a bow! What on earth is Peggy's hair doing though!?!

I've left the best for last in my opinion. It would be great to see Peggy dolled up like this a bit more - she can certainly pull off this sultry look!

What do you think of Peggy Olson's style? Are you a fan? More importantly, are you delirious with joy that Mad Men Season 5 will be gracing our UK screens this Tuesday!!??!! Lucky Americans get their special 2hr fix tonight!

*****
Fancy ogling my previous Mad Men style posts? Look no further...




Sunday, March 25, 2012
One Week, One Pattern officially kicks off today, but because I'm saving all my outfit posts for the end of the week, I thought I'd tantalise you with my latest Renfrews for the project. Including my tiger-print and basic versions, I now have five Renfrews to play with. I'm really looking forward to mixing and matching them to achieve different looks and I'm hoping that the project will teach me a few things about myself too.

I really didn't think I'd be a fan of the V-necked Renfrew on me, but actually it's pretty flattering. I think using a light and drapey jersey had something to do with this as well.

For once I can say that this hangs better on me than the dummy!

I'm over the moon that I accidentally managed to get the stripes to match up in most places.

This next version is probably my favourite Renfrew as I'm a sucker for a pretty floral print...I just can't resist it! Being a serial under-buyer of fabric is not always a bad thing, but I found out that you really can't squeeze a Renfrew out of one metre, not even a short-sleeved one. Hence, I had to piece the back of this one, which I can totally live with as it doesn't look bad at all. I also had to add a different band to the bottom and after toying with the idea of plain grey, I'm so glad I went for the stripey option. It's a really cool detail, making this Renfrew really unique.


Do you like the stripey band at the bottom?

I really don't think the pieced back is offensive...do you?

So, who else is playing along with OWOP? Did Tilly's Fascinating Statistical Analysis excite you as much as it did me?
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Before you ask, the answer's 'no'. No, I haven't started sewing my own dress for the Mad Men Dress Challenge, but the plan is to spend today (I'm not at work – whoop!) and tomorrow doing so. Phew, glad that's off my chest! 

Moving onto business now, I'm happy to present to you the delicious stylings of the stunning Trudy Campbell - hands up who agrees that she can do way better than the cringe-worthy Pete? Trudy's one of my absolute favourite Mad Men style icons. So much so that when Julia Bobbin announced her challenge, I was convinced that Trudy would be the character I chose to emulate. Sadly, my pattern stash did not deliver the goods, but maybe it's something to revisit in the future.

Anyway, without further ado let's have a look at my favourite Trudy Campbell outfits – photos courtesy of Tom + Lorenzo.

This beautiful lady sure does know how to rock a shirtdress - she certainly gives queen of the shirtdress, Betty, a run for her money!




She also has great taste in twin-suits. I find the combination of polka dots and a peter pan collar particularly appealing.


I want this headscarf! wish I looked this cool when I was kicking back - my casual look mainly consists of baggy pyjama bottoms (which my boyfriend detests funnily enough)!

Even heavily pregnant, Trudy still looks stylish and cute as a button!

Like with any of the Mad Men ladies, it's her evening looks that really excite me. It just doesn't get better than this, does it?!? 




Wow, isn't she beautiful? The top and last pictures are particularly breathtaking. And if you thought this post was yummy, tune in next week for features on Peggy, Joan and Betty. The big three will round off this style series just nicely methinks!  

Fancy ogling my previous Mad Men style posts? Look no further...


Friday, March 23, 2012
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