Mad Men Style Sweeps the Nation: Are you a Betty or a Joan? A Pete or a Don?

With the 4th season of AMC's hit TV show Mad Men airing soon, they're doing a recap of all of the previous episodes to catch people up.  It's one of those shows my husband and I were never interested in until everyone starting raving about it, then we never started because we were behind.  Even if the show turned out to be crap (which it isn't), I would have loved it anyway due to the set and costume designs.

Now I've officially jumped on the Mad Men bandwagon.  (1) In my house- mid century modern is the one design style my husband and I can agree upon- and (2) in my closet because my curves love 1940-1950's era styles.  And I know I'm not the only one....

Banana Republic is showing their love by releasing a limited edition Mad Men collection in time for the fall season.  August 11th at 6:00PM (in select stores) you can shop the collection and drink a free "Mad-tini".  Receive a gift with purchase if you use your Banana Republic card.

Guys, they didn't forget about you...  "Are you MAD enough?"


Want something a little more literal?  Check out this Etsy shop for curvaceous creations that look like they came straight out of the show.

Image(s) courtesy of Google search. Quote from Banana Republic marketing.

A Fashionable Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor- RIP

From the NY Times:  Elizabeth Taylor, Lifelong Star, Dies at 79

The actress Elizabeth Taylor died Wednesday in Los Angeles at age 79, the Associated Press reported. Ms. Taylor started in movies at age 9, and it was a quick leap from "National Velvet" to "A Place in the Sun" and from there to "Cleopatra" as she transformed into a film queen. In a career of more than 70 years and more than 50 films, she won two Academy Awards as best actress.

My tribute to another jewelry aficionado-

Image(s) courtesy of Google image search

Fashionable TV Shows: "Mary Tyler Moore" Show

 

I find inspiration for my personal style from various sources, including books, television and movies.  And I am not alone in this.  Our media is influencing other areas in our lives as well.  Eat, Pray, Love is sending women in droves on their quests to experience life in Bali.  One hit 70's television show in particular had many women flocking to NYC- the Mary Tyler Moore show.  I have to think it wasn't just her lifestyle, but her fashion sense that lured women to the show.

I want both of these outfits (minus the polyester).

Mary's dress and belt (above), paired with the right boots, so 2010, right?  Now picture Samantha Jones or Carrie Bradshaw in Rhoda's outfit.  Straight out of Sex and the City.

Lovin' the sleeves on this blouse!

That is the perfect fall "orange".

Just goes to show the "safari" trend never really goes out of style- it just re-invents itself.

What celebrity (alive or dead) inspires you?  How do you incorporate 70's inspired fashion into your current wardrobe?

Did you know a statue of this scene exists in memory of the show?

Image(s) courtesy of Google image search

Fashionable Movies: "How to Marry a Millionaire" with Marilyn Monroe

I love old movies, and one of my favorites is "How to Marry a Millionaire" with Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable.  Marilyn didn't make many bad movies, and this certainly isn't one of those.  Without giving anything about the movie away (I'm hoping you'll want to see it for yourself), I've included a short synopsis (after the jump):

Not wanting her date to see her glasses (she's blind without them), Monroe inspects her outfit in the ladies room

Three New York models, Shatze, Pola and Loco set-up in an exclusive appartment with a plan: tired of cheap men and a lack of money they intend to use all their talents to trap and marry three millionaires. The trouble is that's it's not so easy to tell the rich men from the huxters and even when they can, is the money really worth it?

During the hunt for their millionaire husbands,  the three models rent an upscale, furnished apartment, and live off of the sale of its furnishings.  I have to assume that a good portion of that money goes to their incredible wardrobes!

Outfits worn during the fashion show scene

This movie was made during a time when women's curves were celebrated and accentuated.  My, how times have changed- Marilyn was a size 12/14, and that was a good thing.  But I digress...  The point is, this movie is a vintage-loving-fashionista's fantasy. 

More outfits from the fashion show scene (why can't we shop like this any more?)

Bacall's trying not to fall for the "gas pump jockey", but keeps answering his calls.

When her millionaire comes back, Bacall realizes she won't have to sell off any more furniture.

I have to say this last outfit (above) is my favorite.  You can't see it as well here, but Bacall is sporting a huge poet sleeved blouse under a simple gray shift dress.  But you don't have to buy vintage to make this outfit work for you today.  To update this look for the 21st century, try this blouse and this dress.  Keep the hemline above/at the knee, and keep the accessories simple.

Impractical green/yellow skiing outfit, but oh-so-fabulous (best seen in color version of film).

What are you fashionable movie favorites?

Image(s) courtesy of Google image search

Movies That Inspired Fashion- Or is it the other way around?

A fellow fashion blogger posted a great top ten list of fashionable movies.  I have loved many of these films (especially anything with Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe).  I previously blogged about how much I loved watching the 40's fashion in the movie Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.  Dare I add it to the list at #11?

1. Sabrina (1954) Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, William Holden

2. Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961) Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard

3. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) Jane Russel, Marilyn Monroe

4. Rear Window (1954) Jimmy Stewart, Grace Kelly

5. Annie Hall (1977) Dianne Keaton, Woody Allen

6. Saturday Night Fever (1977) John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney

7. Grease (1978) John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John

8. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow

9. Devil Wears Prada (2006) Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway

10. Sex and the City (2008) Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall

Side note: In case you love Audrey as much as I do, you can now own a piece of history.  Three years ago Audrey's Breakfast at Tiffany's gown (below) sold for a whopping £410,000.  Now more iconic pieces from Audrey Hepburn's amazing wardrobe are up on the block.  Fifty per cent of the proceeds will be donated go to The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund. Highlights from the sale will be show at Sotheby's New York, November 21-22 and at Sotheby's Paris, December 1-2. Visit Kerry Taylor Auctions for more information: http://www.kerrytaylorauctions.com.

Bottom image and auction info courtesy of http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/2009/11/audrey_hepburns_1.html

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day- Period Piece Showcases Current Fall Fashions?

I watched Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day while blogging on my couch last week.  It wasn't so much the story that had me captivated, it was the fashions!  Take this dressing gown/robe (see left). I am not a huge fan of pink on myself, but don't those maribu feathers make you want to glam up your boudoir ASAP?  Add pair of kitten heeled slippers (wouldn't my downstairs neighbors love that) and I'd be set.

What amazes me the most is how some of the current fall trends came from this war-time era.  I'm looking forward to femininity and luxe being back in style.

If you haven't seen the movie yet, you really should.  It's not a period piece of Titanic proportions, but a fun film with plenty of pleasing fashion to look at.  Check it out on IMDB.










Images courtesy of http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970468/