Since last week, une femme has lauded the return of certain elements of “mid-century” style (while presenting some others as cautionarytales) and promised to show how to incorporate some elements of 1950’s and 1960’s style into a modern closet. For this series I’m going to feature mostly pieces either currently or soon to be available from mass retailers, but don’t forget to check out your favorite vintage store or e-tailer.
As with any “revival” or fashion trend, the trick for les femmes d’un certain age is to avoid getting too literal. Don’t wear the look head-to-toe, and avoid the more cliché/costume-y elements (no poodle skirts or pillbox hats unless your style is more theatrical and dramatic).
I’ve used some stills from Mad Men as reference points, as I think they get it mostly very right with the costuming, hair and accessories. But I’ll also self-indulgently throw in some old family photos from time to time, because I’m just having to darn much fun going back through these.
I remember a lot of plaids and plaid-like prints from the 1960’s, and they remain a favorite of mine. Skip the bright lumberjack plaids, schoolgirl tartans or baggy, “grunge” look. Go for darker, more subtle colors or neutrals, in feminine styles.
I love this plaid cape from the Talbot’s Fall Look Book. Keep the bottom half narrow for balance.
I’m dying over the plaid trousers that Betty Draper wears here.
I’m guessing we’ll see more of these come fall, but don’t go for baggy. Pants like this will be tricky, and you’ll want to avoid looking as though you hit the sale rack at the golf shop. They should be well tailored, and slim, something along these lines:
This McQ is a nice option for jackets. Skip the baggy pants that go with. For a full-on 60’s look, this would be worn with a matching skirt, but you can pair with solid dark grey trousers, or even denim. Wear the collar down, add a brooch, and I’d almost be tempted to hem the sleeves to bracelet length, but that’s just me.
Keep an eye out once the fall clothes start hitting the racks. Fall is traditionally “plaid season.” Look also for overcoats, skirts and dresses in plaid, windowpane and houndstooth prints.
For me, plaids are “comfort food” clothing, though I’ve had a hard time in recent years finding items that don’t feel stodgy. What do you think? When it comes to plaids, do you “love ’em or leave ’em?”
More Mid-Century Mania to come…still a lot of ground to cover! ~
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Betty Draper would look great in a paper bag….she elevates everything she wears! I do not do plaid clothing as it makes me look like a character from the comics! (too short and wide) I have a Burberry plaid scarf which I have had for years and still love.
I love plaid (and hunh..I grew up in plaid everything – skirts, dresses)and in the cold months, tend to wear one plaid thing (though the plaids for pants are pretty subtle Prince of wales stuff): plaid jacket with a plain skirt or pants. Plaid skirt with sweater or plain jacket. And I’m short and round too – I think shoulder pads in a jacket balances off plaids and if you choose smaller plaids, it can work.
I almost never wear plaid anymore–it seem s completely nuts to wear some thing so square in design and still look svelte. But it does make me think nostalgically about my childhood and crisp autumn leaves and back-to-school clothes (HAD to have some plaid in the fall)and the foursquare clunky earnest decency that was considered the baseline of society, (delusionally or not)in the late fifties and early sixties.The future felt knowable back then. I might get me some tartan, after looking at your great pictures.
As usual I’m enjoying your take on current trends but must say plaids (and polka dots, for that matter) are not for me. I would wear a plaid ballerina flat but not shirts or jackets and certainly not pants. It’s just not an elegant look.
In my college days I would scour thrift shops for men’s plaid golf shorts and tailor them to fit me. They were great for scuffing around campus with a crisp white shirt and penny loafers.
I want that cape! My mum sewed me a cape in 1976- it was tartan and lined with silk and all the stripes and checks lined up. Love that scene where Don Draper tells the kids he’s moving out…
I´m not really feeling nostalgic, looking at fashion pictures from earlier eras. I wish they never came back. If and when the fashion repeats itself, I just hope the designs are fresh and very different. I think that people longing for the good old times, may not realize, that our body shapes have changed as well.
Remember madras plaids? I always liked them because the darker, blended colors were more subtle that “normal” plaids. I would never, ever wear plaid pants. They remind me of pajamas. But I like the plaid jacket. And a plaid scarf in cold weather.
OMG! I HAD those black watch tux pants. The Talbot’s cape is striking and my hunch is you will find loads of them in the Outlet section of their site in awhile. Most women can’t carry off the furl of plaid and one needs a very slim hip to get that dramatic contrast. And that is not 90% of Talbot’s market.
Agree with Rita about fond memories of Madras – not all designs were really plaids. And such heat-friendly natural fabrics in general, in colours other than pastels.
I used to have a soft pink/grey/charcoal/cream plaid jacket — a bit too early 90’s in construction so that I don’t too much regret letting it go, but I remember that very wearable plaid combo wistfully. Ditto for a muted pastels wide-pattern plaid rayon skirt — I love the nostalgia of the deeper, more trad. plaids in the fall/winter, but they don’t work as well on my body or in my wardrobe. Your assessments are spot-on and useful, as usual. (and you and your sister are way too cute!)
Northmoon – I think the trick is to find plaids that are proportional for our size and shape. Glad you’re enjoying the old photos!
M – Thanks! Accessories are a great way to wear plaids. I have trouble wearing polka dots, as I always associate them with dresses my great-grandmother wore.
Black is the new Black – you’re very welcome! You’ll be seeing more of her here in upcoming posts.
Hostess – I think accessories are a great way to wear plaids. Softer, smaller plaids can work for those of us who are smaller or not so angular in build.
Vix – I’m nuts for tweed as well. I’m also hoping to see a revival of the era’s costume jewelry, and will be talking about bijoux and other mid-century style accessories next week.
Toby Wollin – I agree, smaller plaids often work better for we shorter gals.
Nancy – so sorry to bring up bad memories for you! I’ll admit, I’m probably in the minority for liking those pants…
Katriona – I love those autumnal associations with plaids as well. I think the softer, more muted prints are more forgiving. Hope you find something you like!
Tessa Scoffs – I can very much see those shorts (especially tailored to fit) as exuding a classic, offhandedly posh casual look. Like, “oh these, I found them in the back of Daddy’s closet.”
Zeila – fortunately I was spared that particular trauma. 😉 So plaids don’t have that association for me.
lagatta – oh, that’s too bad. I have bad associations with a lot of polka dot prints.
Toby Wollin – I agree, smaller plaids often work better for we shorter gals.
Nancy – so sorry to bring up bad memories for you! I’ll admit, I’m probably in the minority for liking those pants…
Katriona – I love those autumnal associations with plaids as well. I think the softer, more muted prints are more forgiving. Hope you find something you like!
Tessa Scoffs – I can very much see those shorts (especially tailored to fit) as exuding a classic, offhandedly posh casual look. Like, “oh these, I found them in the back of Daddy’s closet.”
Zeila – fortunately I was spared that particular trauma. 😉 So plaids don’t have that association for me.
lagatta – oh, that’s too bad. I have bad associations with a lot of polka dot prints.
Faux Fuschia – isn’t it great? The print is probably too big for me, but someone taller could really rock it.
metscan – it’s true that our bodies have certainly changed. I’m not nostalgic for the armorlike undergarments required to wear a lot of those clothes! But I’ve always been drawn to the style aesthetic from the late 50’s/ early 60’s, probably because it seemed so glamorous to me as a young girl.
Rita – oh yes, I’ve had some fabulous madras plaids from time to time. They’re another great option.
Duchesse – did you really? In that same color? I know that cape won’t work for me, but it really is a striking piece. I think Talbot’s really is trying to appeal to a more fashion-conscious customer.
materfamilias – I agree that the more muted plaids are probably more wearable for most of us if less dramatic. I’ll be on the lookout for some like that come fall.
WendyB – true, good styling often hides a multitude of sins. We’ll see once it hits the stores. How was La Gaga??
I like the dark plaids. It’s not often what comes to mind when you think of “plaid.” I’d love to have a pair of slim plaid slacks like that. Talk about “classic with a twist.”
For myself I love them on other people. I feel too short for all that pattern.
The Talbots cape looks lovely but this is the sort of thing I’d buy and never wear.
PS I’m loving your family photos. The birthday party was perfect, complete with ‘pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey!
love betty draper, thanks for posting!
Betty Draper would look great in a paper bag….she elevates everything she wears!
I do not do plaid clothing as it makes me look like a character from the comics! (too short and wide)
I have a Burberry plaid scarf which I have had for years and still love.
I hope you and your sister had a good visit…the new photos are a treat.
I’m more of a tweed woman than a plaid fan. I do like the Talbots capelet, but a) I’m cuckoo for caplets and b) it’s a very deconstructed plaid.
Re 50s style: I’m hoping for a major return/interpretation of the era’s costume jewelry…that’s one of my favorite parts of Mad Men!
I love plaid (and hunh..I grew up in plaid everything – skirts, dresses)and in the cold months, tend to wear one plaid thing (though the plaids for pants are pretty subtle Prince of wales stuff): plaid jacket with a plain skirt or pants. Plaid skirt with sweater or plain jacket. And I’m short and round too – I think shoulder pads in a jacket balances off plaids and if you choose smaller plaids, it can work.
I like them all except for the Betty Draper pants–they bring back bad memories for me! The capelet is particularly cool.
I almost never wear plaid anymore–it seem s completely nuts to wear some thing so square in design and still look svelte. But it does make me think nostalgically about my childhood and crisp autumn leaves and back-to-school clothes (HAD to have some plaid in the fall)and the foursquare clunky earnest decency that was considered the baseline of society, (delusionally or not)in the late fifties and early sixties.The future felt knowable back then. I might get me some tartan, after looking at your great pictures.
I went to catholic school. I can’t wear plaids to this very day.
For reasons similar to Zella, I can’t abide plaids.
As usual I’m enjoying your take on current trends but must say plaids (and polka dots, for that matter) are not for me. I would wear a plaid ballerina flat but not shirts or jackets and certainly not pants. It’s just not an elegant look.
In my college days I would scour thrift shops for men’s plaid golf shorts and tailor them to fit me. They were great for scuffing around campus with a crisp white shirt and penny loafers.
I want that cape! My mum sewed me a cape in 1976- it was tartan and lined with silk and all the stripes and checks lined up. Love that scene where Don Draper tells the kids he’s moving out…
I´m not really feeling nostalgic, looking at fashion pictures from earlier eras. I wish they never came back. If and when the fashion repeats itself, I just hope the designs are fresh and very different. I think that people longing for the good old times, may not realize, that our body shapes have changed as well.
Remember madras plaids? I always liked them because the darker, blended colors were more subtle that “normal” plaids. I would never, ever wear plaid pants. They remind me of pajamas. But I like the plaid jacket. And a plaid scarf in cold weather.
OMG! I HAD those black watch tux pants. The Talbot’s cape is striking and my hunch is you will find loads of them in the Outlet section of their site in awhile. Most women can’t carry off the furl of plaid and one needs a very slim hip to get that dramatic contrast. And that is not 90% of Talbot’s market.
Agree with Rita about fond memories of Madras – not all designs were really plaids. And such heat-friendly natural fabrics in general, in colours other than pastels.
I used to have a soft pink/grey/charcoal/cream plaid jacket — a bit too early 90’s in construction so that I don’t too much regret letting it go, but I remember that very wearable plaid combo wistfully. Ditto for a muted pastels wide-pattern plaid rayon skirt — I love the nostalgia of the deeper, more trad. plaids in the fall/winter, but they don’t work as well on my body or in my wardrobe. Your assessments are spot-on and useful, as usual. (and you and your sister are way too cute!)
That cape looks fabulous. I’m wondering if it’s as great in person as it is in that nicely styled photo.
Northmoon – I think the trick is to find plaids that are proportional for our size and shape. Glad you’re enjoying the old photos!
M – Thanks! Accessories are a great way to wear plaids. I have trouble wearing polka dots, as I always associate them with dresses my great-grandmother wore.
Black is the new Black – you’re very welcome! You’ll be seeing more of her here in upcoming posts.
Hostess – I think accessories are a great way to wear plaids. Softer, smaller plaids can work for those of us who are smaller or not so angular in build.
Vix – I’m nuts for tweed as well. I’m also hoping to see a revival of the era’s costume jewelry, and will be talking about bijoux and other mid-century style accessories next week.
Toby Wollin – I agree, smaller plaids often work better for we shorter gals.
Nancy – so sorry to bring up bad memories for you! I’ll admit, I’m probably in the minority for liking those pants…
Katriona – I love those autumnal associations with plaids as well. I think the softer, more muted prints are more forgiving. Hope you find something you like!
Tessa Scoffs – I can very much see those shorts (especially tailored to fit) as exuding a classic, offhandedly posh casual look. Like, “oh these, I found them in the back of Daddy’s closet.”
Zeila – fortunately I was spared that particular trauma. 😉 So plaids don’t have that association for me.
lagatta – oh, that’s too bad. I have bad associations with a lot of polka dot prints.
Toby Wollin – I agree, smaller plaids often work better for we shorter gals.
Nancy – so sorry to bring up bad memories for you! I’ll admit, I’m probably in the minority for liking those pants…
Katriona – I love those autumnal associations with plaids as well. I think the softer, more muted prints are more forgiving. Hope you find something you like!
Tessa Scoffs – I can very much see those shorts (especially tailored to fit) as exuding a classic, offhandedly posh casual look. Like, “oh these, I found them in the back of Daddy’s closet.”
Zeila – fortunately I was spared that particular trauma. 😉 So plaids don’t have that association for me.
lagatta – oh, that’s too bad. I have bad associations with a lot of polka dot prints.
Faux Fuschia – isn’t it great? The print is probably too big for me, but someone taller could really rock it.
metscan – it’s true that our bodies have certainly changed. I’m not nostalgic for the armorlike undergarments required to wear a lot of those clothes! But I’ve always been drawn to the style aesthetic from the late 50’s/ early 60’s, probably because it seemed so glamorous to me as a young girl.
Rita – oh yes, I’ve had some fabulous madras plaids from time to time. They’re another great option.
Duchesse – did you really? In that same color? I know that cape won’t work for me, but it really is a striking piece. I think Talbot’s really is trying to appeal to a more fashion-conscious customer.
materfamilias – I agree that the more muted plaids are probably more wearable for most of us if less dramatic. I’ll be on the lookout for some like that come fall.
WendyB – true, good styling often hides a multitude of sins. We’ll see once it hits the stores. How was La Gaga??
That picture of you is darling!
I like the dark plaids. It’s not often what comes to mind when you think of “plaid.” I’d love to have a pair of slim plaid slacks like that. Talk about “classic with a twist.”
Marsi