Last night I attended one of two Mad Men bashes happening in LA. The other, I’m told, was for the actual show. Ours was a Mad Men-themed gala fundraiser for Tiny G’s new preschool and was fantastic! You should have seen some of the dresses on the other moms…amazing. Styled by Ilene Rosenzweig, who was wearing an insane white fur shrug, every detail of the evening was swish, from the champagne cocktails in coupes to the Marilyn Monroe transvestite auctioneer. Mr Foodinista looked dashing in a grey suit and thin black tie. For fashion advice, I turned to my sage friend Monica Corcoran, who is literally writing the book on Mad Men style along with the show’s costume designer, Janie Bryant. I wanted to wear a black cashmere sheath, already in my closet, so here’s what Monica recommended:
I think a black sheath sounds perfect. You could make a mini splurge on a matching costume earrings and necklace set — all the rage in the early 60s — in jet beads, aurora borealis, enamel or even pearls. Matching jewelry was a must!
Gloves work too. Also, per Janie, Betty loves to match her shoes to her bags–lizard or alligator, of course.
Also, for cocktail chatter, wear a cream blush in coral (there were no powder blushes back then) and a matte lipstick (no gloss either). A thick black line on the upper lash line with a slight kick — a la Bardot — was the eye look of choice.
As it happens, I look awful in coral so I went with a matte red M.A.C lipstick (Ruby Woo), and attempted a Bardot eye with a liquid liner. For gloves, I stopped by The Way We Wore on La Brea and picked up the most beautiful cloth pair. They had a whole basket full of gorgeous vintage gloves if you are in the market, and you won’t find friendlier service anywhere! They are SO nice and knowledgeable! And for shoes, a favorite pair of square-toed Chanel black pumps. My one splurge was on the earrings to go with this necklace—a gift from my dear friend Vincent. Thanks to my generous friends, I felt like Cinderella at the ball—if Cinderella drank too many gin and tonics, that is.
