Images via AMC and TVoverMind
Finally! Mad Men was back in action last night with the season 4 premiere. 1963/64 is definitely signaling a more modern, less 50’s influenced Madison Avenue (thats where the term for ad guys working on Madison Avenue came from - Mad Men) advertising world. Seeing the new offices of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce’s sleek new corridors with more open-style, albeit rigidly-designed spaces, combined with the more modern, less cutesy style of dress worn by the women - its easy to see a more liberal, free influence of the mid/late sixties approaching.
The fashion and beauty in the episode was particularly symbolic of the women’s evolving characters: PEGGY has gained confidence, wit and a more paired-down yet womanly approach to her conservative dress code. Ponytails, full skirts and little bows no more - she’s defiant and a touch dangerous - really commanding the space she’s in far more than last season. JOAN is less obviously flirtatious and while you could never really hide those gorgeous curves, her style has become a touch more down-to-business - a good thing since she now has her own office (!) and a lot more responsibility (something tells us she’s the glue at SCDP). She still shows her strength and attention-getting tactics in her popping-red lip colour. BETTY, on the other hand, seems to be the one stuck in a rut (both fashion/beauty-wise as well as in her life decisions. Having trouble getting used to being Betty Francis (her and us!!), she’s outwardly pleasant yet somehow seems sadder, more unsettled (and less glamorous) than ever. She looks older and less connected - a little too tweed-suits and pearls. We’re secretly hoping for a late-season reconnect with Don (or at least a tryst) - are we alone on this? Remember last season’s super-sexy Rome episode with all the wildly outfits, hair and makeup? One of the best of the season.
Don’s date Betthany Van Nuys was a stunning but a little too much of a Betty look-alike for it to go unnoticed. Let’s see if he’ll pursue her.
Can you tell we love the show? Stay tuned for weekly Monday Mad Men updates! For a fantastic review of all things style, fashion, and beauty related to the show, complete with insider info from those who work on set, check out a great blog on AMC:
