Mad Men: For Immediate Release

I Think a Change Would Do You Good

Change is in the air at Sterling Cooper Draper Price, though the team doesn’t quite realize it yet. Bert, Pete and Joan are secretly working on taking the agency public and (no surprises here) it doesn’t exactly go as planned. Pete and Joan think they’re going to become millionaires overnight, however Mr. Campbell’s trip to the brothel sticks a pin in that balloon. Don isn’t much help after firing the sleazy Jaguar client and Roger’s new business tactic of waiting at an airport gate to win business smells a little desperate. Despite all of this trouble brewing, everyone brought their casual game to the table this week and I have to say, I was living for it. Except for Ted — girlfriend needs to lay off the turtlenecks.

If Pete’s face wasn’t always scrunched into a weasel-like scowl, I’d say he could pass for a young Mr. Rogers in this snappy shirt and cardigan combo. The colour contrast adds a smidge of interest, and I’m pretty impressed he mirrored that colour palette with his tie.

Business Pete doesn’t bring anything we haven’t seen before, but again he’s coordinating accessories in the tie and pocket square. And here I thought Trudy picked out all his clothes!

Speaking of Trudy, I guess we’re seeing less of her not because of their separation, but because she’s clearly studying hard at Disney Princess finishing school. Seriously girl, what is with those puffy shoulders? I get it’s only your dressing gown, but there’s a time and a place for that style — and it’s at a Renaissance fair.

There’s so much wrong here, I can’t even process it fast enough. The shape makes Trudy look like a linebacker, the colour would make asbestos jealous, and I don’t think I’ve seen this much chiffon since the finale of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Let’s cleanse our palates with Roger Sterling’s new bestie — paisley. A man who hooks up with a flight attendant just to get inside dirt on travelling business men definitely has the starch to pull off a collection of paisley ties. The gold is fairly subdued and surprisingly doesn’t pop against the grey, but Roger saved his A-game for travelling with his blue on blue on blue combo. I’m seriously thirsting for that blue paisley even though I know I’d have to be 3 martinis in to work it like Roger.

Casual Bert loves an argyle sweater vest, however, I do not. Sorry my friend, I appreciate that you never compromise your bow-tie dedication, but I am so over argyle I’m this close to being under it. Trying to take the agency public and make all the partners very wealthy people must have clouded his judgement.

Over at CGC, Ted is sporting his favourite colour — that weird 70s mustard that was popular for way too long, and seeped into all areas of life (cars, kitchens, shag rugs). When your blazer is as striking as that striped mess Ted’s wearing, don’t match your tie with it. Teddy's being swallowed up by bad taste.

Props to Gleason for the kicky neck scarf, tho. I’m still waiting for the day when Fred from Scooby Doo is again an acceptable style icon for men, without looking like a trendy tool in a scarf.

Peggy obviously doesn’t share my aversion to Ted’s wardrobe because those two shared a passionate kiss after hours. As far as Peggy’s outfit goes, it’s pretty plain for our girl. Sky blue is a safe choice and the buttons/collar don’t have the odd, stylish flair Peggy seems to infuse into her look.

At least she complements Ted’s teal turtleneck. Although having to type the words “teal turtleneck” really hurts me. What’s he hiding under those? Maybe Ted’s wife is an insatiable hickey machine and since he’s over 16, he’s embarrassed. I once got a monster hickey when I was 22 and you know what I did? Put on some cover-up and wore scarves. That’s how you do it, Ted. Take a note.

Anyway, guess who’s back in town? It’s Marie, the judgemental, wine soaked woman from Montreal here to stir shit up — like this week, when she instructed Megan to look hot and make sexytime with the Mister. Marie’s casual look also falls into the blue/green colour family, but she manages to stand out with her disdainful smoking pose and demure string of pearls.

Impressive though that was, her best look this week was this black dinner frock at left. How much do you love those sheer sleeves? Also, how much more do you love her sitting on the couch drinking red wine straight from the bottle? Don’t ever change, you cynical French fox.

Megan and Marie’s relationship is so tumultuous, I can’t even keep up. But when they’re dressed as fabulous as this, who the hell cares? One of my favourite late-60s/early-70s colour combos is purple and orange. In fact, I’m still in love with it and seeing Marie draped in those colours so elegantly...I’m swooning. Not to be outdone by maman, Megan’s serving some Soap Star Realness with her sexy update to the classic Jackie O. aesthetic. 

Need I mention the fangirls? Next to these chic women, those teenagers look like extras from Oliver!

More Aldo...

After their little shopping spree, Marie and Megan accompany Don to dinner with the gross Jaguar guy. After listening to his wife prattle on about absolutely nothing (snaps to the writers for crafting such intentionally banal dialogue!), Don pulls a classic Draper emotional breakdown and fires the client. Frankly, they should have fired him for being totally gross and kidnapped his wife for an emergency makeover. Big hair, big earrings, big ruffles — you don’t get out of the suburbs much do you, honey? 

I mean, compared to Don and Megan’s power couple steez, those Jaguar folks are downright bumpkin. Megan is beyond sexy in this gold dress, and I applaud the neutral make-up. If she had a more smoky eye, it’d be red carpet ready. Don’s no slouch with his slick suit and gold tie to match.

I mean, people must hate these two when they see them out like this.

On the other end of the spectrum, Don’s casual look is less than impressive. Granted, he’s still polished as hell, but these plaid blazers aren't the right fit for him. I get that it was the style at the time, but y’all know that man feels most at home in a tailored suit with a power tie and freshly shined shoes.

Don and Megan are a pretty stark contrast to Peggy and Abe. But Peggy and Abe have two things going for them: a sweet new apartment in an up-and-coming part of New York (unless it gets burned to the ground by gangs), and accidental hipster style. Is this 1968? 2013? Who knows! Abe is tackling a little DIY in in Lil’ Abner overalls, and let’s talk about Peggy’s coat — adorable! Air kisses for the green and orange stripes, and the unisex style.

Let’s take another look at this coat, OK? Also, check out Peggy’s buttoned-up oxford shirt. I have friends who have basically worn this outfit, but in different colours. It looks like she was out postering for her band's gig at a local dive bar. This is the flair I was talking about earlier!

Even her boring merlot dress with the wide collar looks more like Peggy with her patterned scarf. Quirky! Bold! Let’s keep an eye on her, though, because I have a feeling the SCDP/CGC merger will push Peggy into Executive Realness, killing her style.

Of course, the real female style icon on Mad Men is, and will always be, Joan. Girl was pretty excited about the agency potentially going public. A million dollars was on her doorstep and she greeted it with her best casual floral blouse. Wardrobe knows how to complement a red-haired woman because I’ve rarely seen Joan in anything unflattering. Her hair’s been freed from the professional up-do we see week after week. It’s all on point and she knows it.

Once shit hits the fan with Don firing Jaguar and chasing after Chevy, Joan doesn’t hold back with the emotions. I always say, if you’re going to have a public display of emotion, make sure you look drop dead gorgeous. Luckily, Joan doesn’t have a worry in that department. Again, we see an emerald hue and it is coming alive against those gold accents.

But I'm holding up a yellow card for this red and blue polka dot number. Sure, it's fun and trendy, but I’m not sold on it. I think it’s the contrast between the colours? At any rate, the new super-agency better beware, because y’all know Joan ain’t taking no prisoners.

Mad Men: Collaborators

Guilty Pleasures

If the season opener had a running theme of death and mortality, this week's episode had motif of guilty infidelity. (You say that's every episode? Yes, I agree.) Don continues sleeping with his neighbor Sylvia, Pete hooks up with his cute blonde neighbor Brenda, and Peggy feels like she's cheated on Stan by revealing SCDP secrets to Ted. Meanwhile: Bob Benson is still trying to squirm his way into the family portraits, Joan is fierce and stoic (even when what's-his-name from Jaguar says some gross stuff to her) and Don has childhood flashbacks when he and his mother moved into the "boarding house" (coughBROTHELcough) owned by his aunt and uncle. At one point we're treated to a glimpse through a keyhole of Don's very pregnant mama about to get it on with Don's sleazy uncle. Gross.

I gotta admit it's nice to see Alison Brie (Trudy) back on the show. It's been ages! She looks sweet and put together in this gold and green floral number, although the sleeves are definitely odd and her hair seems half-done.

Snaps for the drapey neckline though, and she wears green and gold like nobody's business.

Later on we catch her another dress with flattering colors but odd styling. This time she's in a slim rust and crimson paisley dress that appears to be wishing it were a cheongsam, yet not really pulling it off. But then I remember that we're heading into the 1970s and it's no wonder there's some wacky sartorial choices being made. Ahem.

Trudy's morning-after-she-discovered-Pete's-infidelity dress is a basic shirtdress style thing with wide stripes in green and... beige? Tan? Quite homey and boring, but maybe that was the point. She fights the normality of the outfit with a bold red lip, impeccable hair, and fightin' words: "I am putting a fifty mile radius around this house and if you so much as open your fly to urinate, I will destroy you." Get out of the kitchen, Pete. Ain't nobody can stand that kinda heat.

Sooo the real question is... How many seasons will it take for Pete to realize how actually stupid he is? Don't know, but I rather like his bold maroon-and-blue tie.

These diagonal stripes are super en vogue apparently, because all of the men seem to sport them lately...

Example B. Don's tie reminds me a bit more of Captain America than Ad Man, but it's definitely a nice change from the same old same old.

Behold, the object of Pete's current idiocy: girl-next-door Brenda. She's sweet and sort of unassuming in a patterned coat that looks like it could have come from modern-day Anthropologie.

But when B shows up at Pete's Manhattan pied-à-terre, she's much more Breakfast at Tiffany's. Although "Mistress" doesn't seem to be playing a role she's quite suited for, she looks pretty darn good in a leggy black dress, jaunty hat, simple broach, and perfectly curled tendrils of hair falling down along her face.

She reminds me a little of a would-be Broadway chorus girl facing the casting couch — eager, but not at all mentally prepared for what she thinks she wants.

On the other end of the ingenue-diva spectrum, we have everyone's favorite curvy redhead. Joan is poised and cool as a cucumber in navy and red, even when faced with What's-His-Name from Jaguar (y'know, the dude she slept with to land the account last season?). Although this isn't her most fashion forward ensemble, it still works, and DANG her hair looks good.

Don's sights are currently set on Sylvia Rosen, wife of his neighbor Dr. Rosen. She is rockin' the voluminous 'do, but so far her outfits haven't done much for me. This blue dress is nice but a little plain for the wife of a well-to-do Manhattan doctor.

Sylvia's dinner outing gown is much nicer, however, with a lovely shimmer to it. And a demure pink lip with come-hither lashes is a one-two punch for Don.

Sylvia accessorizes with some dazzling drop crystal earrings and a guilty conscious, courtesy of all the time she's been spending with Megan.

Speaking of Megan, all of my personal sartorial instincts tell me I should hate this outfit, yet I absolutely don't. I love that it looks a bit like something a man would wear golfing. I love the green, and the oversized lapels. I love the weird plaid pants. She looks effortlessly kind of bold, in a green-and-plaid Katherine Hepburn sort of way, I think.

More Jennifer Behr...

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Peggy has been exploring the world of jewel tones, which is a welcome change from previous seasons.

I approve of this green coat a whole lot. Much more so than the navy sweater with the cream-colored Peter Pan collar underneath.

Pegs, Peter Pan collars do not say "woman in charge", they say "can I get you anything else, Mr. Executive?"

But then...oooh la la, Peggy! What on earth possessed you to purchase something so wild, so risqué, so... fun!? The bright purple is awesome and the abstract pattern on the bow is so unusual for her, and I dig it. (Also props to whoever pressed that bow within an inch of its life... it ain't goin' ANYWHERE!)

This pairing is also bold and refreshing. Maybe purple is Peggy's new power color?

All-in-all, I'm starting to think that Peggy adores her bows and collars about as much as Emma on Glee loves hers. Will this trend continue? Stay tuned.

Mad Men: The Doorway

Part 1 of 2: Sun, Sand and NYC

We're back! Confused? A few of us around the YKYLF staff room were as well, but let's peel the onion, shall we? Don and Megan go to Waikiki to do a little schmoozing, get their bronze on, and make everyone still sitting in the cold (like me) very, very jealous. Don wrestles with the idea of death through various outlets including a) the trip to Hawaii and b) the subsequent sales pitch, c) the funeral service for Roger's mother, and d) his doorman's recent near-death experience of his doorman, who was brought back to life by Don's neighbor/newest idol, Doctor Rosen. Megan is living the dream in both wardrobe and as a newly appointed soap star. Peggy is kicking ass and taking names at her new job, Pete is still a royal douche, and god knows what Joanie is up to, as we only see her for one glorious purple minute. Roger is in therapy (finally), and the death of his shoe shiner is tis what it takes to bring some real emotion out of him for the first time, well, ever.

 

Ahh, Waikiki. It's one of those places that you expect to see beautiful people, so spotting the stunning Don and Megan lounging in the sand comes as no surprise.

Megan's swimsuit is absolutely adorable, and the color is amazing against her (very) slightly tanned skin. I'm kind of lusting after Don's sunglasses, too. I wonder if they come in women's sizes?

I really want Megan's lacy little beach cover-up and white flowered flip-flops. Who ever looks that chic coming off the beach? I'm always a sandy, disheveled mess, but I guess if I had Don to come back to, I'd step it up a notch, too.

The next morning, after a little side-boob action, Megan slips into a beautiful, and slightly trippy, neglige. Does the woman ever turn it off?

No. The answer is no. After spotting Don on the beach taking part in a small wedding ceremony, she struts her stuff in a purple and citrus peasant blouse with her matching floppy hat and Jackie O sunglasses.

Hawaiian Don (or Don Ho, if you will, har-har) is a breath of fresh air as well. Beige linen suit, with a lei around his neck. Yes, please.

The maxi-dress that Megan wears to the luau is gorge as well. Purple is certainly her color, and the halter neck is perfect with her amazing collarbone. Don looks like he's about to cut a bitch when Megan dances with the host of the luau, and luckily his hawaiian shirt is made less cray with the addition of his subtly plaid blazer. Way to mix your patterns Don Ho. Must be the tiny bubbles...in the wine...

Back to reality, and our happy couple are weather sppropriate in their winter gear. Don is dapper in his suit and tie. Who doesn't love a man in a fedora? Megan even splashed on some red lipstick for the occasion and still has some stunning voluminous hair (not to mention the ahhhh-mazing fur hat and coat).

Honestly, who looks this put together after an 11-hour flight? Again, I am usually a disheveled mess.

More Forever 21...

Home sweet home and Megan has jazzed up some old sofa upholstery into a cute little vest and mini. Only she could pull this off.

Get back to work, Don! He's wearing the same thing as the night before, but with a different tie. At least we have new employee/brown noser Bob to jazz things up with an olive suit and multi-colored tie.

We've also got the rest of the SDCP creative team looking like a big old hot mess, as usual. Guess we know who makes the big bucks, huh?

Speaking of big bucks, Joanie looks like a million of 'em in her purple power suit. I dig the accesories (especially the emerald and gold bracelet), BUT! Note the absence of her pen necklace. I guess that was more of a Secretary Joan thing, whereas Partner Joan doesn't need such accoutrement.

BTW, way to match your lips to your nails, babe.

Yes, we're all staring, fellas. Not at you though. Roger looks great in blue, but I'm not a fan of the double breasted jacket (or wearing a blue jacket with grey pants). Pete looks quite good here, for a dirtbag.  Great detailing on the suit, and the matching pocket square/tie combo is lovely.

What in the bejesus has happened to Harry?!? I like your case, but no, no, no, to the rest. Is this his tribute to Roy Orbison? What's happening here?

Don's sweet secretary Dawn is adorably profesh in shades of blue. The ruffled tie-neck top adds a touch of glamour to her schoolgirl-ish outfit. She seems capable of holding down the fort — I feel like he might keep this one for a while.

Speaking of feelings, Megan feels badly that she can't go to Roger's mother's funeral, and I feel bad that she's wearing a ribbed turtleneck. Were those ever popular? Sorry, Meg, I cannot approve.

Later on, at the funeral, Jane stands out against the bevy of biddies in black in a fab dress that is totally appropriate with black tights. Sidebar: Can we please start wearing hats again? Please?? I would want that hat if I wouldn't look insane wearing it to the supermarket (and I would wear it to the supermarket).

Blah, blah, Roy, and Same-Suit Don, look as they should for the funeral (except for Harry's tie — though I like it — it's not really appropriate for a funeral, is it?). Too bad Don's plastered. I assume that his mind is still wrestling with death?

On to much happier occasions...it's New Years Eve (aka, my birthday eve — just put that in your diary for later) and Megan is a vision in this silver sparkling number. The detailing in the neck is fantastic, and she even matches her makeup to her outfit. Golf claps for you, my dear. You brought it back in the end.

Oh, hey Grandpa... oh, god, Don? Ugh. Your NYC casualwear is exhausting.

I'll take Don Ho over this any day.

The Phantom - Part 1 of 2 - The world could not support that many ballerinas

Well, it's been quite the season hasn't it? Don's got a wife who will stand up to him, Lane's dead, Joan literally slept her way to the top, Roger did LSD, Betty got fat, Sally turned into a pubescent brat, Pete got punched (a lot), Peggy decided she could do bigger and better things, and SDCP is making a profit. So how do you cap that off? For starters, you get expand your office space. Don has a toothache and some hallucinations of guilt. Megan asks Don for a favour so she can finally get an acting job. Megan's mom is kind of une grande bitch and she's still got the hots for Roger Stirling. Pete continues his affair with a depressed Rory Gilmore because they're both depressed - except he doesn't know it yet. Peggy is on her way up, but a motel room in Virginia is still a long way from where she wants to be. And Matthew Weiner hits me over the head repeatedly with the symbolism stick. 

Best line of the season? "Not every little girl gets to do what they want. The world could not support that many ballerinas." (Right up there with season 3 Joanie's: "One minute you're on top of the world, the next, some secretary's running you over with a lawn mower.") But it's also the best line to split up this finale. We've got the ladies and gents chasing what might be phantoms, and those who are off getting what they want - or deserve. 

I've been of two minds about the fashion this season. Yes, this because this season has been about transitions and changes, but part of me misses the classy threads of Joan and Thin Betty. However, another part of me is super pumped at the arrival of the mod fashions on the back of Megan Draper. For this episode, I like how Megan mixes the two decades. She's got a mix of the mid-50s-Audrey-Hepburn-Funny-Face going on at times.

Love the black turtleneck and skinny denim capris. You could do that now and still be the most stylish girl in the room.

But she takes that 50s look and spices it up with some accessories that are very much of her decade.

Yes yes and yes again to the kicky green headscarf with the great pattern. Hells to the no on her green shoes and even more nos on her friend's striped top. Actually, I love the cut and the neckline of the striped top, I just hate the vertical stripes. 

More Emilio Pucci...

Of course, when it counts, like during a screen test, Megan knows how to do mod like nobody's business.

Sigh. So cute. And so not going to happen on me at my next Mad Men themed party. 

Her maman, who is quelle grande bitch much of the time, has the late 60s all wrapped up in this quilted housecoat.

There is something so horrible and so right about that housecoat and the smoke and the piece of toast for breakfast. Probably because two of the three are just completely outdated and hilarious (and I'm not talking about the toast. Because even if you do smoke, do you really do it while eating?)

But unlike her très chic fille, Marie is still hanging on to some of those slightly outdated ways of dressing - like never leaving the house without a scarf or a hat. 

Parce que mais ouis ma chers, I cannot go out sans mon scarf. My hair est un fright. Fou de fafa, comme si comme sa, au revoir!*

*I have taken enough French classes to know that I just wrote 75% nonsense.

But when she's not wearing the headscarf, Marie is un dame trop classy. The pearls? The perfect nails? The perfect coif? The red wine? She's my kind of lady.

But for all her classiness, there is still that look that is already starting to become retro in Megan's day and age. Like the suit with the matching hat.

I love the idea that one would buy bouclé from head to toe as it really is so Jackie O when she was still a Kennedy, but as we head into the spring of 1967 we also head into the days when Jackie O dressed in a turtleneck and giant sunnies. The times they really are a-changin'. 

Which we see in the loungewear of Megan, which is so unlike her mother's earlier quilted robe.

While this is a hot mess of floral (and looks not unlike my Saturday night with a bottle of wine and a copy of Vogue), Megan's not hanging around the house in matching anything. Girlfriend is doing it for herself and that means wearing whatever the hell she pleases.

Well, everything she wants except getting the career she wants. Because nothing says chasing a phantom like this costume after your husband pulled strings to get you into it. 

Megan's mod mod world is so very different than Rory Gilmore as she goes Sylvia Plath on us. 

While the camel coat with the fur collar and the hat are delightful, she's still clinging to that suburban style that the young urban girls are doing away with. It's stuffy and formal.

Even her day drinking wear for an affair before electroshock therapy still has a muted unhappy housewife look to it.

Ahoy mateys! I'll admit though, it's a far cry from Betty's housewife days. But she's still a Profoundly Sad housewife.

Even her bra matches her slip! That commitment to coordination is going to go the way of the dodo bird. Probably because it takes some time and maybe some help in the house to keep your lingerie that organized. I don't know about you, but it's a very lucky day when I can match the unmentionables. And I certainly wouldn't bother trying if I was just going to get my brain shocked.

Then again, you might as well have all that organized before you forget things, like the dude you just slept with. Rory Gilmore is a electroshocked dream in pink.

At least Beth knows she's profoundly sad. Pete doesn't even know he's depressed and wanting a life that doesn't exist. However, his furniture totally knows.

While the rest of the office is going mid-century modern, Pete is the only dude with the oversized leather chair. Bitchin' cufflinks though, Pete.

I also appreciate your striped ties - there's something J.Crew-ish about them. Even though I'm suspicious of the continuity on the train scene.

Tie change or lighting change that is fooling the eye. 

His wife Trudy thinks she's getting everything she wants, but being married to Pete means she's chasing the phantom of a suburban dreamlife. She's trying really hard though, in her full skirts and coordinating cardigans.

And unlike mod Megan's hot mess of florals (it's hard not to compare almost everyone to Megan...she's been a breathe of fresh air), Trudy's evening wear not only has a matching bow for her hair, but it matches the couch.

Hells bells, Trudy! You've got to tone that matchy matchy down! It's kind of no wonder Pete's a little blue. Who could take that much suburban bliss? 

I totally want those headphones. 

Around the offices of SCDP, there's some folks after their dreams. I can't say how well that's going to work out for them. I mean, Scarlet is straight up adorbs in scarlet, but she's not super bright is she?

Who cares when you look that cute and have such a great scarf around your neck. 

Also chasing the dream of doing whatever the hell they want, client be damned, is our creative team of Ginsburg and Stan.

Stan seriously needs to get a new jacket. The mustard yellow has got to go. And Ginsburg? Well, he's just a mess. Literally.

I know I wore coffee on my shirt today and on my jacket yesterday (it happens), but I've at least got the decency to try and hide it when I'm going into a meeting. Get it together, Ginsburg! You might sell more ideas and argue less with Don if you're not covered in coffee. Although, I'll give you minor snaps for the colour choices. And I dig the die. It's flashy without being novelty.

And our final man chasing a dream? Oh Roger Stirling. That LSD trip is a dream you need to keep on living. Just promise you won't go to work during a trip? Because I don't know that you can handle those polka dot walls.

Love that tie. Something about this show makes me stop and notice ties. Anyone else? 

While Roger took my advice about not going to work on LSD, I'm not so sure the giant hotel room window is a better option.

The Other Woman - Part 1 of 2 - Shakeups and Breakdowns

Well, well, well... wasn’t THIS an episode and a half! I think it’s safe to say that if you didn’t hate Pete Campbell before, you loathe the little weasel now. I mean, the scene where he tries to guilt Joan into sleeping with the Jaguar dude? HEINOUS. Everyone was out for their own agenda this week, although it seems like there was a lot of sacrifice. Let’s just all windmill snap for Peggy right now because sisters are doing it for themselves, and her departure from SCDP is going to have huge implications. On a more positive note, the clothing rocked the balls off this week - and does Ginsberg have a change of clothes?

Ms. Joan Harris - a rhapsody in blue. OK, that was over the top but I’m committing to the line. Any way you slice it, girlfriend looks stunning in blue tones. My favourites are in the top left and bottom right corners. That floral blue dress and the scalloped nautical inspired number were just jaw dropping on Joan. Oh anytime that woman cinches her waist she looks unstoppable.

Yeah, so when Pete actually tried to guilt trip Joanie into prostitution for a client, I’m pretty sure a layer of skin leapt off my body.

MY GOD WOMAN YOU CAN WEAR ANYTHING. Jewel tones. Earth tones. Animal print. It all works. Joan is a classic case of knowing your fits and being full to the brim of confidence. Just the hint of leopard on her brown top/skirt combo is perfect, especially in its coppery tones that match her hair. 

Even though I fell apart over her Blue Period, I think this was my favourite Joan outfit. It’s bright, summery and the scarf adds so much character to an already eye catching cut.

Also, can we talk about brooches? We need more. Everywhere.

More Whistles...

Then we move to Peggy, who I think gets an unfair shake in the fashion department. It’s hard to follow a woman like Joan or Megan, especially when that’s never been Peggy’s style. Sure, this Nana-inspired cardigan is doing nothing for her, but she’s a writer dammit. We get chilly. It was nice to see Freddy this week - and to see that he still has a soft spot for Peggy.

Eyes off the lobster, Peg! Not wild about this mustardy, baking dish yellow Pegs is rocking here, but I’m quite a fan of sweater. I think if it was in a classic heather grey, or even an earth tone, she would look incredible. Maybe Peggy’s problem is colour choices.

For example, girl looks fantastic in her interview coat with that adorable checkered neckerchief. I love me some orange, and Peggy used just the right amount. Her plum choice for quitting however, I could have done without. It felt so matronly. For such an empowering moment, I wish Peggy was wearing something that reflected the situation. 

Forget about Peggy for a minute - who is that mysterious SCDP girl in the background? I’m totally in love with her test pattern dress! More of that, yo.

Alright - we all secretly love Joan’s mom. It’s OK, you can admit it to me. I’m cool with it. When they first introduced her, I thought we’d be in for a Mommy Dearest situation, but she just genuinely wants to help! And if she can do that in some of the most garish sweaters, cardigans, and eyeglasses, well snaps for you, sister. I just can’t even deal with her mohair cardi... what was that trend even about? 

Megan Draper - everyone’s favourite 20-something wife/actress/copywriter. Everything just seems so effortless for her. I’ve always envied people who can wear a turtleneck and skinny jeans as easily as the rest of us put on socks. No wonder Don puts up with her youthful spunk - she’s drop dead gorgeousness.

It’s just too bad her friends can’t adopt any of her flair for fashion. Seriously honey, what IS this coat? It looks like she wrestled a cheap throw rug before walking out the door. Her psychedelic, neon dress underneath wasn’t terrible, but if I can see your black panties while you crawl across a table pretending to be a jaguar... you know what, just forget it.

I honestly don’t know how Megan’s not getting any parts when she’s dressing like this. She must be a TERRIBLE actress because the champagne coat and dress are flaw free.

 Oh, and the tiny silver handbag? Stop it before you break an ocean of gay men’s snapping fingers, Megan.