Mad Men Week: Season 6 Fashion File and Giveaway Winner

Season 6 of Mad Men found the characters in swinging 1968, making us knee deep into the mod fashions that we have come to associate with the decade.  After every episode, AMC does its own 'fashion file' delving into the fashions of the episode.  I thought it would be fun to break down the whole season with my personal favorites.

Megan

Megan has so many fabulous look this season, it was hard to narrow them down.  These are just a few of my personal favorites.  This look above was, by far, my most favorite outfit Megan wore this season.  I am a sucker for matching sets and I just adore the pattern on this jacket.  Definitely what I would wear to the movies too!

This was probably the sexiest Megan got this season, except perhaps when she dons a bikini in the opening episode.  I love the extremely short skirt and the reasons behind why she wears it.  Everyone noticed Megan that night, not just Don.

When Megan married Don, she become the center of fashion on the show and I love how this scene really emphasizes that.  Megan is younger than Betty, who still seems to be clinging to her late 50s early 60s looks.  Megan, on the other hand, is fashion forward with her mini skirt and psychedelic print dress.

One of the things I love about the Megan character is she isn't afraid to wear pants, even on NYE.  I love these sets, I'm hoping that MM will bring these back into vogue.

Betty

When the season opens, Betty is still working on getting back to her thinner state.  By the time we his midseason, Betty is back to her thin glamorous figure.  As you might have figured out from my last post, I really loved this outfit and I think the earrings really do make the dress.

I think what I really love about the Betty character is how she is able to reincorporate items from past outfits into the present (like the earrings above).  This outfit really reminds me of season 2/3 Betty, wearing cigarette pants, looking like the perfect 60s mom.  Plus, how adorable is her hair here?  I just love that Betty knows her look and is comfortable in just going with it, rather than whats super trendy at the moment.

Peggy

For me, Peggy didn't really have a lot of standout outfits this season.  She kinda just stuck to regular safe Peggy.  However, the final shot we get of Peggy is in this -fabulous- pant suit.  I love that it is much more trendy than anything else Peggy wears, connotates her seemly new position of power in the office (and as a working, independent women), and foreshadows what's ahead in the fashion department for season 7.  For more thoughts on this look, see Entertainment Weekly's article.

The other outfit in which Peggy steps outside of her normal comfort zone is what I am calling the "Chanel No 5 Dress."  The sheer sleeves and super short hemline helps to place Peggy alongside the other sexy girls on the show -- think Megan season 5 with Zou Bisou Bisou.  Plus she is wearing Chanel No 5, sexy indeed.  

  

Joan

Like Peggy, Joan takes much longer to integrate into 60s fashion.  Even though she wears a lot of scarves, which is very 60s, Joan still wears her hair the same as when we first met her along with wearing many of the same cuts and lines.  What I like about this dress is while it still has a tailored cut, the big gold buttons and gold loops on the belt help to modernize the look, really planting Joan in the current time.

When Joan has her meeting with Avon, she wears this lovely suit.  Joan wears a lot of dresses and separates to the office, so it was a nice change to see her in this suit when she takes control of her new position in the office.  It's worth noting that the final shot of Joan in the finale has her wearing a suit as well.  Could this be a sign of what's to come for her character?  More suits = more power and control of her partnership.

Sally

I love the looks Janie Bryant puts together for Sally.  This one is my top pick for the season.  I love the tent shape, the mix of plaid and red, and the sweet bow at the neck.  I also really like the continuity we have with the Sally character: since receiving this necklace in season 4, Sally wears it constantly, denoting her adoration for her father and her removal after this scene outwardly showcases the rift in their relationship.  

The following a few of the minor characters from this season.  Sometimes I think the best dressed in this show are the extras and lesser characters.

Sylvia

I just love the neckline of this dress Sylvia wears on NYE.  Her double necklaces, however, drive me nuts.  Pick one or the other!  ;)

Trudy

This nightie and peignoir set Trudy work got a fair amount of discussion time on one of my podcasts with Toby and I think I know why, other than its fabulous.  Trudy kinda dresses dowdy this season (something Pete even commented on in season 5) and this is really a knockout compared to her other looks this season.  

Arlene

Arlene is married to a TV executive and is a tv star, of course she is going to look fabulous!  This is such an amazing dress!  Nuff said.

Clara

Like I mentioned, I really think the support cast of this series have awesome clothes too.  I loved all of Clara's looks this season, but this one was my favorite.  I love 60s poly dresses and this one is too cute! For more on how the secretaries get there looks, read this article.

Harry

While the ladies do get most of the attention, one guy on Mad Men takes the cake for the most fashion forward looks - Harry Crane.  From his striped ties, patterned blazers, and dark framed glasses, Harry's got it going on.  We see this the most when he, Roger, and Don are in California and he seems to blend in while Don and Roger stick out; although Roger did give it his best effort with the yachting look.

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For my top five hits and misses this season, see my post on Spacelioncs.com

To see the answer to a question I submitted to Janie Bryant to answer on a recent interview, see this article.  I ask what percentage of the costumes are actual vintage pieces and how much of it she creates herself.

Stylelist also has a great interview with Bryant about Season 6 costumes.

Some of the stars of MM wear vintage off the set.  Check out this video with Christina Hendricks.

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I hope you enjoyed Mad Men week here on Livin' Vintage.  I had so much fun putting together the posts and sharing my thoughts with you.  

Thank you to all who visited and entered the giveaway.  Amanda is the winner!  Please email me at livinvintage@hotmail.com.

Talking Mad: In Care Of

In our final Mad Men podcast, Tobi and I discuss the season 6 finale, "In Care Of."  This was, by far, my favorite episode this season.  While much of general consensus for season 6 is dismal at best, I did enjoy these 13 episodes.  For one, this season made me like Pete more than ever before.  I have always been less than thrilled with Pete, especially after his driving school/adultery in season 5, however, season 6 did an excellent job of showcasing the Pete character and it a light that I probably haven't been willing to see before.    

I like the struggle we see with Joan trying to find her place in SC&P.  She isn't a secretary, but is she a budding account man?  I mean, "what exactly do you do here?" is the question many ask her and others throughout the season.  Joan is important in the office; in many ways, she is the glue that holds it together.  From a narrative standpoint, Joan is an excellent foil for Peggy and I truly enjoy the scenes they share with each other (and not just the ones from this season either).

I love this above shot.  Like I mention on the podcast, I feel Don has really come into the fatherly role and this completely represents that.  I know there are some critics out there who feel Don isn't the best of fathers, and maybe he isn't ideal (but who is?), however, this season made me want to revisit the entire series from beginning to end, which I dove into after the finale.  Throughout the five seasons, especially those first three, I see Don attempting to engage with his children and I feel like he is attempting to be a better father than his own, which is emphasized with the numerous flashbacks Weiner gives us.  I like Don, even with his unfaithfulness.  This final shot made me truly excited for the final season, where I feel there are endless amounts of opportunity for the storyline to go.

To hear more of my thoughts, head on over to spacelioncs.com to listen to our podcast.  CLICK HERE

And, this final Talking Mad post wouldn't be complete without at least one more gif.  This was probably one of my most favorite funny moments of the season, making me like Pete more and more!   

And, here are some links to some of the articles we discuss in the podcast and some that are just an interesting read:

-Molly Lambert from Grantland discusses the finale, with some awesome vintage photos!

-Telegraph Magazine does a nice write up on Elizabeth Moss (Peggy Olsen)

-Matthew Weiner talks about the finale with The Hollywood Reporter

I want to give a big thank you to Tobi and SpaceLion for inviting me to podcast with them and for doing all the hard work of editing each cast and doing excellent write ups on the site as well.  This was a total blast!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a Joan worthy scarf!  

Today is the last day to enter; giveaway closes at midnight.

CLICK HERE to enter

Mad Men Week: How to Make Betty Draper Francis' Earrings

One of the things I love most about Mad Men is how costume designer, Janie Bryant, reuses pieces of the main character's wardrobe.  One of my favorite pieces on the show this season was Betty's earrings she wore to a formal event with Henry.  While watching one of the behind the scenes videos, I realized that Betty wears these earrings in Season 3 (Souvenir) as well.

These earrings, which were quite popular during the mid to later half of the 60s, are pretty easy to make.

Here's what you'll need:

1.  jewelry wire cutters (I used mine as needle nose pliers too)

2.  earring posts with a loop for dangling attachments (I found some vintage ones at the thrift store, but new ones are readily available at your craft store)

3.  head pins with a bottom large enough to hold your bead

4.  large round beads (Betty's are pearls, I chose rhinestones instead)

5.  fine silver chain

-optional-

needle nose pliers | jump rings | crimping beads

Thread your bead onto the head pin and mark where you want to cut it, leaving enough room to make a ring (about a half inch or so, depending on the size of your bead).

Cut the head pin.

Measure how long you want your chain to hang and cut.  Mine is about 1.5 inches.

Bend the top of the head pin to create a loop.  Place your chain inside and secure closed.

Open the loop on the post.

Loop the chain through and secure closed.  Repeat for matching earring.

If you buy your findings on sale, this project will cost you about $10 or less.

This project not your cup of tea?  Here are a re few pairs for sale right now on etsy:

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ALSO!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a Joan worthy scarf!

CLICK HERE to enter

Talking Mad: Favors | The Quality of Mercy

In our second to last episode, Tobi and I recap episodes 11 and 12, "Favors" and "The Quality of Mercy."  

In "Favors," Don helps Sylvia's son dodge the draft in exchange for rekindling their romance, which Sally becomes privy to.  This episode deals a lot with the war centered climate of the late 60s and this is evident not just in the storyline, but also in the costuming -- especially with the younger, more hip characters.  We see this with Glen (in the following episode), Mitchell, and even Megan (see the photo below).

After the bombshell Sally witnessed in episode 11, episode 12, "The Quality of Mercy" has Sally going off to boarding school, running away from her problems, and even taking on an assumed name.  Father like daughter, no?  One of the best parts of this episode was the ad Peggy and Ted pitch to Don.  Finally, we are back to some of the meat and potatoes of this show!  And, Don Draper crying 'wah wah' -- priceless!

These are just some short recaps, to hear my full thoughts on each episode, head on over to Spacelioncs.com to listen to our podcast!

ALSO!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a Joan worthy scarf!

CLICK HERE to enter

Mad Men Week: Joan Harris Giveaway!

What better way to begin the week, than with a giveaway?

This season, Mad Men fashion designer, Janie Bryant, had Joan Harris wearing a lot of scarves.  On her neck, in her hair, on her purse -- you name it!  In honor of that and of Mad Men week, I am giving away this groovy 60s silky polyester scarf.  There's a multitude of ways to wear it, although I think my favorite might be the turban style.

How to Enter:

-comment on this post, tell me your favorite look this season on MM

Extra Entires (up to 5)

-like Livin' Vintage on facebook and leave a separate comment

-repost this post via your blog, facebook, instagram, twitter, etc and leave a separate comment (if instagramming, tag @livinvintage in the post)

-follow Livin' Vintage on Instagram or Pinterest and leave a separate comment

-follow Livin' Vintage on bloglovin' or another reader and leave a separate comment

-share the Mad Men week button via your blog, facebook, instagram, pinterest, twitter, etc and leave a separate comment.

Giveaway closes Thursday July 18th at 11:59 pm EST.  Winner will be announced Friday July 19th.

Good Luck!

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A Week of Mad Men

Season 6 of Mad Men may have ended a few weeks ago, but I am sure many of you are already itching for the next (and sadly, the final) season.  I know I am!

Next week will be full of Mad Men posts here on Livin' Vintage, including two Talking Mad posts, a tutorial or two, and my own fashion file for the season on the whole.

Check back on Monday for your Mad Men fix and feel free to share the above button.

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Mod Dress  |  XL Shaheen  |  70s Sundress

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These are just a few of my favorite items listed in the past few days.  Want to see more? Visit www.livinvintageshop.etsy.com to see more.

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