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Mad about '60s fashion

Modern suits are inspired by AMC's Mad Men.

By Jasmin James

Published Sept. 10, 2010

When Matthew Weiner created and produced the AMC hit drama series "Mad Men" in 2007, his idea was simple: show modern America what it meant to be prevailing during the revolutionary yet extremely provocative 1960s. With the help of Scott Hornbacher, he compiled what would become a four-time Golden Globe-winning cast and a show that grabbed America by the coattail with its almost perfect reincarnation of the boomin' 1960s.

To love "Mad Men" is to love culture and the America that was, and still is, a global trendsetter. The show is set on Madison Avenue in New York City -- the most edified and industrialized city in America -- at an advertising agency known as Sterling, Cooper, Draper, Pryce.

Immediately we are thrown into a world of sharp tailoring, pin stripes and double-breasted sport jackets. The '60s admirably mirrored the '50s at first and then, like a bolt of lightning, the decade began to create its own styles.

European designers John Bates, Pierre Cardin, Valentino Garavani and the memorable Yves Saint Laurent inspired the decade. Designs began featuring different patterns, different textiles and overall different looks. Cardin was famous for incorporating vinyl and using geometry to create architecturally inspired designs. Yves Saint Laurent used inspiration from Chanel to create the simple suit. As we see fashion evolve during the 1960s, we also see fashion's nostalgia and attachment to classic designs of earlier decades.

Jon Hamm, an MU grad, plays the character Don Draper. Draper can be called, with confidence, the show's most influential character because of whom he is meant to represent: the well-manicured, well-paid man of the 1960s. Draper wears suits that are very sharply cut and custom-made with very slimming traits. Janie Bryant, the series costume designer, describes Don Draper's suits as a façade adding to the character's mystery by creating a very uniform appearance.

Simon Kneen, executive vice president and creative director for Banana Republic, describes some of the newer collections at Banana Republic that have premiered in the last few months as being indicative of the era, inspired by "Mad Men" and featuring great details with austere tailoring. Details must be impeccable in a suit all the way down to the button, Kneen said on the AMC website.

Aside from suits, we also see white shirts featuring varying fabrics, collars, lapels and cuffs. With these details, we see "Mad Men" as not only a show that features great fashion, but also a show that pays heavy attention to element, giving each character a very avant-garde appeal.

Where are these suits now? As aforementioned, Banana Republic has taken advantage of the "Mad Men" trend by featuring skinny ties, a variety of dress shirts and of course, the suit. Express Men is also a great retailer that features a nice selection of dress shirts and suits, offering both modern fits and retro appeal. Macy's offers Alfani, Tasso Elba and a few others that feature the evocative bravado of the "Mad Men" era. Finally, for the more affluent man, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren all still offer custom tailoring at company boutiques across the country and overseas, allowing for a more personalized suit.

As we see the fad of skinny ties and slim lapels coming back in style, we can thank the creators of "Mad Men" for showing us what it really means to wear a suit.