Ever since it swaggered on to UK screens three and a half years ago, Mad Men has infiltrated our lives — one troublingly strong cocktail at a time.
But for those wishing to pay tribute to Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce without turning their liver into something resembling a hardy leather brogue, help is on the way. Now, the US TV drama about a New York advertising agency is set to take over your wardrobe too.
The makers of the series have teamed up with Banana Republic to create an expansive clothing range inspired by the show’s brand of Sixties cool.
It’s hardly the first time the Mad Men look has been copied — high street shops have been hastily thrusting slim suits, pocket squares and tie pins on to their mannequins since the pilot episode — but this limited-edition collection is the only one with the official seal of approval. And as our exclusive first look shows, it’s not something they’ve just cobbled together for a quick cash-in.
Devised by the actual Mad Men costume designer, Janie Bryant (who even raided her grandparents’ mothballed creations for inspiration), the capsule wardrobe is a comprehensive sweep of all the lusted-after Madison Avenue looks.
There are natty raincoats, immaculately tailored slim suits, Rat Pack-style dinner jackets ready-made for the Christmas party season, and accessories including fedoras, ties and even a money clip. But it’s not all formal wear and the buttoned-up executive look with which the show has become synonymous. Laid-back flourishes make an appearance via a fitted chunky cardigan and a raffish knitted waistcoat.
Prices for accessories range from just £10 for a pocket square up to £200 for a jacket — which means the Don Draper look won’t just be the preserve of the bumper-walleted. It hits shops this week but stocks are limited, so you will have to make sure you sharpen your elbows and brave the scrum. Failing that, there’s always the off licence and an inexpertly mixed old fashioned.
