Thursday, April 17, 2014

How to Make Mad Men Modern


I had a reader friend ask me a question the other day that really got me thinking: how can she make Mad Men-inspired fashion modern? For those unfamiliar with the show, it has so far focused on vintage looks with high waists, covered arms, and curve-hugging dresses. It's a fun style to play with because it's very flattering for curvy shapes while at the same time being fairly covered up. That makes it appropriate for a wide variety of settings, including work and date nights!

Here's my take on how to bring that Mad Men flair into the modern age.

Play with Unexpected Color

Take a classic shape, like a full skirt and a cropped jacket, but play with color. Try something from your closet that's the brightest thing you can see, and then build an outfit around it. Here, the skirts are the stars of the show, and the pieces they're paired with are much more modern in fit and color.

Via

Via

Add an Edgy Touch to a Classic Shape


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Via
 
Pick a sweet, vintage piece and then add edgy touches to it. For example, the high waist and full skirt on the denim dress are right out of the Mad Men pages, but the denim is unexpected. Then, the long-sleeved shirt underneath brings it a skater-ish, edgy vibe. I love it.

Or, take a cue from the image above and pair a lace dress with a short, tough moto jacket and leopard accessories.

Play with Vintage Shapes, but Stick with Black

Or, ignore everything I said above about color and just stick with black. There's something that always reads as tough and modern about black, and it can really offset the covered-up feeling of a vintage shape.

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Via

Keep the accessories simple and the heels high. And also, keep those shoulders back! One thing about women in Mad Men is that they have great posture, which reads as very body proud. How modern of them!

Oh, and Don't Shy Away from '70s Inspiration

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Via

Take a tip from the next decade to appear on the show and reach back into the '70s. However, use some of the tips above to ensure that it doesn't read as a costume. Using bright colors, touches of edginess, and mixed patterns will help you to modernize this decade's bellbottoms, high-waisted shorts, and full bell sleeves. 



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