Like many of you, I’ve noticed how well dressed Don Draper and those fellows are over at the wildly popular television show Mad-Men. And probably like many of you, I’ve said to myself “Yeah I wish I could dress like that!” Well here I am to let you know just how possible that is!
For starters, the woman behind all of the mad men suits and other wonderfully well dressed folks is costume designer, Janie Bryant. Luckily for us, Madmen has become so popular that Janie Bryant is coming out with her own line of Madmen inspired clothing. While the line isn’t out yet, Janie did design a single suit for the usually conservative cloth maker Brooks Brothers.
This classically grey suit is designed after the regular suits Roger Sterling wears. This is slimmer than Brooks’ usual suit and has a sharkskin like pattern, 2 buttons and a very narrow lapel. The armholes are cut a tad higher to create a slimmer fit as well. What I love best about it is the fact that you can tell how the suit longs to hug your body in all the right places ( ie. arms, chest, shoulders, while subtly becoming less slim around the waist and stomach areas saving you from the worry of showing us your tummy.)
While the suit’s price is a fair $998 dollars, I know many of you out there will say that this is far too expensive for a young man like yourself. But the best part about dressing vintage is that many of these suits are sifting around thrift stores and resell stores alike. Your best bet after finding a material and pattern you like at the thrift store, is to take it to a tailor you trust and ask him for a trim that fits your silhouette.
Add a pocket square, a slim tie, a shirt that is ironed-starched to the max and you’re ready to go. Just remember that those clunky square “power” dress shoes won’t cut it. You need something more streamlined like these, Cole Haan’s Air Jefferson Moc Ox (Oxford.):
Remember that you can never go wrong with a classic look folks. Stay classy and simple, and you’ll be the best dressed guy at that next cocktail party.
-Trey
