The Definitive Guide to Channeling Your Inner “Mad Men” Character

Grab the Scotch! Mad Men returns for the second half of its seventh season this Sunday, April 5. Among the many reasons to watch AMC’s drama—including Don Draper’s smoldering presence—is the fact that the costumes created by Janie Bryant are, simply put, impeccable. 

 

A true fashion obsessee, Bryant has spent the past eight years immersed in the world of the 1960s, studying magazines, catalogs, movies, and more to get in the headspace of the conflicted characters she dresses. In addition to her historical research, Bryant also works closely with Matthew Weiner to find the best way to portray Betty’s sorrows or Megan’s rebellions through their clothing. “It’s all about understanding the complexity of the characters, understanding their story arcs, and then helping to tell that story by the costume design,” Bryant told Style.com.
“That’s what the audience sees, and that’s what the actor has to feel, too. 
Costume design is so important to be able to tell the story of these characters.”

Aside from the sheer glamour of it all, another reason fashion has fallen especially hard for Mad Men is that, miraculously, the year portrayed on the show always seems to correlate to the trends depicted on the runways. (The late ’60s mood of Fall 2015 will align perfectly with the late ’60s era depicted on-screen when the show returns this weekend.) “That is the power of a costume designer, and the fashion designers have been inspired by the show since the very beginning. Probably the first fashion designer who was inspired by the show was Michael Kors, and then really Prada, Miu Miu, and Thom Browne [came next].

You know, that is the power of costume design and TV, right? So many people get to see my work every single day. I’m happy to inspire others,” Bryant explained of her influence on the contemporary fashion world.
And considering that Mad Men style has never been more in fashion than it is now, we asked Bryant to break down the essentials for five characters on the show: Megan, Don, Betty, Joan, and Peggy. Find out how to get the look in the slideshow, and tune in to see all of Mad Men’s groovy costumes Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on AMC.