The London Lounge

Have fellow members checked out the show? It is in its second season and is very enjoyable.

The clothing is well done, expect for the narrow ties and lapels, the flat front trousers, and pocket squares put in the TV fold. But the show is set in the early 1960s.

If you don't know about the show here is a link.
http://www.amctv.com:80/originals/madmen/

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

I have watched about half of the first series, and I must say, that while some of the excesses of the clothing of that era are not to my liking, it is rather well put together - and is certainly more entertaining than most of the nonsense TV stations put out nowadays.

Yes, a fine first season (I don't have cable so I wait for the discs). It gets considerably more sophisticated (and somewhat darker) as the season progresses, once the superficial aspects of the main characters are firmly in place. Near the end there is a scene in which a woman is required to apply makeup to a man (I won't say more, so as not to give away too much) that is both extremely moving and a fascinating comment on power exchange and the symbols of masculine and feminine authority at the time.

As someone who was conscious, though a child and not in Manhattan, at the time of the series's setting, it feels mostly right. The amount of daytime drinking at the office seems slightly overdrawn, though not the smoking. Occasionally the set dressing, props, and clothing smell a bit of the library--a world just a bit too much like the ads, and not quite as it was. Still, a hugely evocative and thoughtful series. Some good touches with the clothes, especially on Roger Sterling, who would be in a position to wear bespoke. A lot of two-button sleeves, I notice, and some SB peak lapels and ticket pockets. Clearly Mad Ave was not all Brooks Bros. sack suits. I'm looking forward to season two when it's out on disc.

I read a good write-up on Mad Men in a newspaper here last week, saying how the show was perhaps being too clever by half and that it was not rating well because of this. I will see if it is online and try to pull it up.

Gentlemen:

I watch little television, but I must admit that I have become quite addicted to Madmen. The acting is superb. The clothes on both male and female characters are great for that time period. Kudos to AMC for such an original and clever series.

Trey

I agree with Couch's comments on a lot of two button sleeves bening shown and how Roger Sterling is able to wear bespoke.

For a very long time, and it is even shown in my fall 1992 Brooks Brothers catalog, BB did quite a few suits with the two button sleeve. As for myself I like four buttons.

Growing up learing about haberdashery I quickly learned that you started off with J Press, then moved up to Brooks Brothers, and then you make it to Paul Stuart and beyond.

Don Draper always has on cuff links which is good to see. (even if they are toggle back)

Roger Sterling wears a good deal of side vented 2 on 6 DB suits, SBPL suits, cuff links, and collar pins and bars. I think I also saw him with pocket watch and chain. (I think)

Salvatore Romano and Herman "Duck" Phillips are the most natty guys on the show.

Bertram Cooper is always in his bow ties and argyle socks. (Shoes must be taken off before entering his office.)

Pete Campbell, Harry Crane, and Ken Cosgrove are your typical WASP J Press and Brooks Brothers crowd.

Paul Kinsey, although very much a WASP and J Press crowd member, is to me a bit of a rebel with the growth of a beard.

Freddy Rumsen, I'm not really sure where to put him. He is very much a WASP J Press and BB crowd member, but kind of nerdy. A few weeks ago on the show he came out of his office to show Don's secretary and Ken that he could play Mozart with his trouser fly.

The women, now what can be said about the women? Like a finely made bespoke suit, soft to the touch, elegant looking, and you can't keep your eyes off them.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79