Sponsored Post: Mad Men Style from Banana Republic
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I've long been a fan of the fashion of Mad Men (see my 360 Review of first-season character Rachel Menken) and so I was super excited when I heard about the Mad Men/Banana Republic collaboration coming out. Well, ladies, the wait is over — the collection hit North American stores on August 11. There are so many pieces that are great for work — the perfectly spiked pumps, the collections of pearls, and the clothes, my God, the clothes.
Personally I've been craving the blue begonia print dress for work — love the fuller skirt with the more fitted top! — as well as the lace tipped dresses (the gray is particularly nice, I think). The cardigan sweaters and tie neck tops are classics, and I'm loving the ever-present bracelet sleeves, which make me want to start wearing elbow-length gloves, stat.
Readers, what's your favorite piece from the collection? If you're a fan of the show, whose style would you most like to emulate?
Disclosure: This post was written by Kat Griffin, but sponsored by Banana Republic in conjunction with Elle/Style Coalition.
I want the jacket with the portrait (?) collar in the ad (but not in the catalog, apparently).
Yes, where can I buy the suit in the ad photo please?
This is exactly what I have been wanting! It is the opening picture on the website as well, but that lovely suit is nowhere to be found. :-(
good name – i loved these books!
Agreed! The suit pictured on the male model is available for sale, just like it looks in the ad. I’m a little disappointed in BR for this ploy.
BR, if you’re reading these, please add to this line- I’m hooked already, I’m just waiting for the goods!
i tried on the jacket and matching skirt in store this weekend – i really liked both and it looks just like the one pictured (on betty?). they fit nicely for me. looked great with the purple tie neck blouse as well!
I feel weird that BR is encouraging us to dress like secretaries from the 60’s. At least, I think that’s who inspired the women’s side of the line – I don’t think it was Peggy’s frumpy style. I feel too often that some men I work with wished I acted like a Mad Men girl, and I don’t really want to give a nod to that expectation.
I’m not specifically trying to knock the styles, but rather just express that it feels weird to try to emulate so closely a group of people who seem like powerless victims.
I’m upset about the poor quality fabrics and ultra-short skirt lengths. BR has dropped the ball in the last few years. Sad. They’re truly in their own world now.
Ses, really? Number One, there are a number of characters who did have power. Rachel Menkin who owed her own business and Dr. whatshername who was the psychologist. Number two, yesterdays secretaries ARE todays lawyers and doctors. This is why we don’t have good secretaries or court reporters. Your whole comment is odd and misplaced.
I think I’m kind of over the look, to be honest. I like the leopard belt and the tie blouse, but I don’t think I’d wear the rest of it. It’s funny, because I have a teal wool jersey dress I love that’s very 60s (and from Banana, several seasons ago), but when I look at these…I’m just not into it. Maybe if I saw it in a less stylized environment.
I think I have that same dress. It’s such a winner. I miss old BR.
I was really really looking forward to this collection, but now that I see it I am not thrilled. I would love to see some classic sheaths in some jewel tones like the kind that Joan wears – of course, not as va va voom. These clothes look more like Betty Draper than Joan.
Yes, exactly! I don’t understand why they’re channelling Betty in styling and sizing. Too bad they didn’t go for a slightly less dramatic Joan.
That was my thought. I so wanted a lovely sheath dress in a great color like Joan, and yet, nothing:-(
Why no petites???
Same reason manufactures rarely make tall sizes anymore.
They had some petites in the store I went to. The “betty dress” and the “begonia dress”.
Those gray pants look really cute on her. Alas, I know my thighs and them should never meet though.
I can live without most of the clothes.
I need those rouge pumps, though. seriously – NEED them!
I bigtime love the leopard print trench. But, sadly, not for $200 when the black trench I bought at Xmas had buttons falling off within a few weeks. Will wait for sale or a better coupon code than the 25% off that I’ve got now.
The suit in the promo looks tailored and fabulous, but on their site just looks boxy and plain. In fact, most things look pretty schlumpy. Banana Republic! you carry pants that are oriented to different shapes of women- why can’t this be reflected in the rest of your line? Also, leopard print alone does not make something retro.
I went to a BR store yesterday and spent an hour trying on the entire women’s Mad Men collection (the only pieces I did not look at were the leopard accessories and the houndstooth dress, which was sold out in my size).
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, because I usually try on 20 things and only emerge with one or two purchases. I didn’t end up getting any of the dresses (my figure is too straight/boyish and not hourglass enough for any of them to be sufficiently flattering), but I liked them. Also, I felt that the dresses were a little too sexy/lacy/form-fitting for work, yet too buttoned-up and work-like for wearing outside of work. So I passed on those for fit and style, but the fabrics and prints were nice.
And I bought the suit! Which fits me in a tailored and fabulous way! The skirt is not online currently, for some reason, but is in the stores.
So, don’t judge until you try something on for yourself! Photos can lie.
I think most of these clothes in the collection look really classic minus the retro styling on the models. Knee-length dresses/skirts, sheath dresses, cardigans, and tie blouses are still around.
I just ordered the begonia print dress, but it is only available in tall in the blue color, which I don’t like as much. BR – please make everything in petite AND tall!!!!
I just bought the black lace-tipped dress and love, love, LOVE it. I am actually excited to go to work Monday so I can wear it! The leopard pumps are really cute as well and pretty comfy for high heels – I would have bought them but I think DH would pitch a fit if I came home with another pair of shoes.
I love the printed tie blouses. Feminine yet professional. Also, if its too much pop of color for any client, you can just throw on your suit jacket and it seems to work well.