The Mad Men Fashion File - The Naked Truths About Don, Joy and Kurt
Could you pay attention to this week's episode? I had a hard time looking at anything except Joy's ridiculous bikini body, but after I recovered from the gulp of "Oh my gosh, I want your stomach," there was a big theme to discuss: Shedding skin.
While most of you are resolute fans of Don Draper, some of you have mentioned he's a bit of a snake. I suspect by that you mean he's slippery, predatory, and quiet. But he's also got another serpentine quality, and that's the ability to drop his facade and reveal another layer. It's not that he's putting on an act, exactly; it's just that he's in total control of how much he's uncovering at any given moment. And what a cool and crazy thing that ten minutes after Don Draper takes off all his clothes, he makes a phone call and says -- for perhaps the second time since the series started -- his real name.
Even though Don was miles away in California, his theme connected with the others. Peggy shed her ponytail, her reputation as the office geek, and a bit of light on her future: If she's 23 and going to Bob Dylan concerts, imagine the Rolling Stones madness she'll get into a few years down the line. (Let's hope even better hair comes with it.) Also, that cream dress with the tiny red flowers: So cute and appropriately cut to her figure. Give us more, Peggy!
In a more literal interpretation of shedding, we saw Jane Siegel and Roger Sterling in bed together, which is either gross or adorable depending on your point of view. Reciting poetry post-coital was definitely gross, but it allowed us to tune out and focus on Jane's perfect lipstick and hair. I'll admit I don't know much about the after-sex rituals of the early '60s, but if my hair and makeup were that kempt after a romp, I'd be worried I wasn't doing it right. Contrast Jane's blush and mascara with Betty Draper's smeared eyes and bloodless lips after her impulsive return to Don last episode and you'll see what I mean.
Oh yes, and Kurt's gay. Which wasn't really indicated by any wardrobe moves, but still, it's good for the theme -- move along, boys, there's nothing to hide here.
On another note, I've been meaning to ask: Have you morphed your own style because of the show? Last year, I changed my lipstick from shiny to matte after watching Betty and her suburban playmates pretend they were movie stars. Now my nails are red instead of black or blue, my dresses have darts and waists instead of scandalously short A-line hems and baggy fits, and I've been way more interested in shopping vintage (or even from my grandmother's closet) than anywhere else. Let me know if you've gotten into a similar habit, and just in case: I don't recommend eBay for designer goods, but definitely for Lucite jewelry and old costume brooches from '61-'65. Those are my favorite things to get.
I adore how womanly-shaped the actresses are. This is such a treat from the too-skeletal looking women of Desperate Housewives, and all those other shows. I just loved one of Jane's outfits (a red pencil skirt, white blouse, and complementary royal blue scarf around her neck). All of Joan's clothes are absolutely scrumptious. And I also loved Peggy's white houndstooth dress. They all make me yearn for more tailored clothing. This isn't the stodginess and goofiness of the 50s, but the sexy, vampy 60's where wiggle dresses abound. And speaking of wiggle dresses -- wasn't Joy's sundress just yummy? I have never seen a picture before of the type of bathing suit she had.
I love the clothing of the 60's and can't wait until they show some of the miniskirt, boots, and black tights wearers -- Edie Sedgwick anyone? Could Peggy show up at the Factory just once with Kurt?
This may be your best column yet. I love how you tie the haircut and Kurt's coming out into the same theme.
I love the fitted look of the clothes because I wore them in 1962 when I was a senior in high school. I don't see in the Mad Men shows any bouffant hairdos and those big side curls out onto the cheek that we wore. Even in North Georgia, we were up to date with our dos because we watched movies and read fan magazines to get style ideas.
I actually cut my long hair and I'm wearing a modified bubble now - getting lots of compliments, too! I tried my old brush rollers one night - nope, not even for nostalgia can I do that again.
I forgot to say - when vintage clothes shopping, the sizes from then do not correspond to our sizes now. So try it on, if possible. We are just bigger people now than 40 years ago.
It doesn't even have to be that many years. In the late 80's-early 90's I was 121 lbs and wore a petite size 10. Now, I'm getting into petite size 10-12 and 30 lbs heavier! So the sizes have definitely been enlarged.