Mad Men Style: The Real Story Behind 1960s Office Fashion
When Mad Men premiered in 2007, it did something remarkable: it made people want to dress like it was 1962. The show's costume designer, Janie Bryant, created wardrobes so meticulously researched and so beautifully executed that they sparked a genuine vintage fashion revival. But the styles featured in Mad Men weren't invented for television — they were drawn from one of the most distinctive decades in fashion history.
The World of Early 1960s Women's Fashion
The early 1960s represented a moment of elegant transition. The full, structured silhouette of the 1950s — nipped waist, full skirt, bullet bra — was giving way to something sleeker and more modern. The sheath dress, fitted through the body and ending at the knee, became the decade's signature shape. The pencil skirt offered a more streamlined alternative to the full skirt. Colors were bold and graphic. Fabrics were refined. The overall effect was one of polished, confident femininity.
Jacqueline Kennedy's Influence
No discussion of early 1960s fashion can ignore Jacqueline Kennedy, whose influence on the decade's style was incalculable. As First Lady from 1961, she brought French haute couture sensibility to American public life — collarless suits in pastel boucle, sleeveless shift dresses, pillbox hats, long white gloves. Her look was widely copied and represented a kind of aspirational elegance that permeated the entire decade. Mad Men drew heavily on this aesthetic in dressing its female characters.
The Shift in Women's Workwear
The office environments depicted in Mad Men also reflect a genuine historical moment in women's workwear. Women entering professional environments in the early 1960s navigated complex expectations — they were expected to be impeccably dressed while also being taken seriously. The tailored suit, the silk blouse, the structured handbag were all tools in this negotiation. Fashion and professional identity were inseparable.
Finding Real 1960s Pieces Today
The pieces that define Mad Men style — sheath dresses, pencil skirts, tailored jackets, silk blouses — are among the most sought-after items in the vintage clothing market. Authentic 1960s garments were constructed with extraordinary care, and many have survived in beautiful condition. Explore our vintage dresses, vintage tops and blouses, and vintage skirts for pieces that capture this era.
