The Power of Costume Design in Mad Men (seasons 1 & 2)
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- čas přidán 26. 06. 2024
- hi! In this in-depth fashion analysis, we are diving into the captivating world of Mad Men and exploring the iconic costumes that shaped the characters' emotional journeys. From Betty Draper's audition dress and her heart-wrenching Sad Clown Dress to Peggy Olson's 50s pink plaid dress, we are decoding the hidden meanings behind those iconic looks. We are also looking into Peggy's
style evolution as she transforms from a naive secretary to a confident copywriter and discovering how costume design serves as a powerful storytelling tool in the context of 1960s America. Enjoy xx
00:00 intro
00:49 Betty Draper's Audition Dress
04:08 The Sad Clown Dress
08:00 The Evolution of Peggy Olson's Style
09:59 Peggy Olson's Pink Plaid Dress
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Helen Warner, Fashion on Television: Identity and Celebrity Culture (London: Bloomsbury, 2014)
January Jones was absolutely perfect as Betty. She wore clothes beautifully. She and Christina Hendricks were always my favorites.
@bluevol1976 mine too (plus Trudy)! and their costumes always did such a good job of reflecting who they were at a glance
@@KasiaSopniewska I liked Trudy, too.
January fit the role well. But there is no looking past the fact that the girl has very little acting range.
@@thornyback I liked her in We Are Marshall, but it was a similar character. She does well with those.
My favorite Betty outfit is the one she wears when she comes down the stairs in slow motion on Valentine’s Day
@mayln163 she looked like a true princess 💕
That and her outfit in Italy are my favorite outfits Betty wears.
@giftofgab1791 I'll cover Betty's Roman holiday outfit in the next video
That was a good one. I loved all her outfits when they went to the city.
the most beautiful scene in all of mad men
I would say the dress she wears to the audition actually shows her age and how much things have actually changed since she was a model.
Yea but she was still so young too she wasn’t even 30! How’s that old?!
@@oooh19 that’s old for a model unfortunately, especially in the 60s.
@@kristinlapensee24 shes only 28, at most she was modeling like five years ago based on how long she was married to don
@@1Dispretty2me Early 60s to mid 60s is a big change culturally as well as in fashion. That’s why her dress looks out of place beside the pared down mini dresses of the other girls. Also, 28 is getting old for a model in the 60s. Most models were teens or very early 20s
That dress reminds me of fancy wrapping paper.
I loved how Betty’s dresses contrasted to those of the secretaries at the office.
YESSSS!!! JUSTICE FOR BETTY DRAPER! she’s such a complex character & january jones is such a good actress. I think part of the reason she gets overlooked and demonized by viewers is that all of Betty’s flaws and plot points are shown to the audience very subtly in contrast to don, who gets flashback scenes and sympathy from the narrative. if you want to figure out Betty you have to hunt down little lines and hints that show her backstory- they’re not explicitly laid out for you. which is both good and bad writing. on one hand, Betty herself hides her pain, so to have her complexities be sort of hidden from the audience makes sense. but on the other hand, it may just be misogynistic writing.
I genuinely felt sorry for Betty, even though she was often petulant and shallow, I thought she was extremely disappointed in how her life turned out. She believed the social role cast upon her and all it brought her was frustration and disempowerment. The women around her who “broke” the social rules actually flourished and became more powerful and fulfilled. Whether she consciously acknowledged this, hard to say, but for sure she knew it in her heart.
Sad tale of Betty Draper…
It reminds me of the backlash to Skyler in Breaking Bad. Audiences latched onto hating her more than ANY other character in the show, which really just shows the unrealistic expectations we place on women and the incredible leniency we give to men. Don and Walt are clearly much worse people than Betty and Skyler, but it’s easier to hate the women.
In particular, Betty is at her most awful in season 4, when Don is in the depths of his depression post-divorce, so that when Megan comes along, she seems perfect in contrast. We're seeing both women through Don's eyes. Megan becomes less and less idealized in seasons 5 and 6, while Betty becomes desirable again as Don regrets breaking up the family. Unfortunately, fans seemed to latch onto the idea of Betty being awful and didn't seem to register her transformation once she was in a healthier relationship.
I would not say I feel sorry at all for the wives in Mad Men. They are totally supported in a very privileged life and allowed a great luxury - free time! They have beautiful homes, children and household staff. If they become bored and disgruntled then it is down to their own doing because they have options.
@@stellayates4227 A gilded cage is still a cage. You seem not to recognize the limitations placed on women in that era.
Betty’s New Look pink and black dress is her looking ”Cheugy”
She basically rocked up in her skinny jeans, ankle boots, and infinity scarf.
@ginao6810 and in a black biker jacket ;)
Yeah, because no one is going to look back on way too small tops with way too big bottoms and make fun of that in ten years. Us cheugy folks should just find some cliffs near by and walk ourselves off.
I don’t think that’s the best analogy. She looked fussy and try-hard compared to the new 60s look. She was also representing the media ideal of feminine beauty. It would be like if she strutted in dressed right out of the 2013 streameys, in full corny influencer makeup, while everyone else was casually rocking the cool clean girl aesthetic.
It simply signifies that Betty's kind of woman - a dependent, shallow housewife - is now out of date, obsolete, just like her 50s ballgown.
@@be.A.bexactly, it’s not skinny jeans. It’s galaxy print leggings and liquid lip kit 🤣
I noticed many of the obvious costume changes, but never picked up on Peggy's plaid before, and that was a brilliant insight! Also, I always wondered why Betty went outside with the rifle in her frilly nightclothes, but your observations were spot on! Betty felt most empowered in her element as a devoted housewife! In her outdated modelling clothes, she looked visibly awkward and out-of-place. Her more daring outfits, like the bikini and the mini-dress, brought out a more dangerous, scheming element in her that only served to sabotage herself. In the riding gear, she was cold and hard-hearted, even ruthless (but I don't believe her horseback riding scenes took place till much later in the series). I'd never heard of the 'sad clown' moniker before regarding the polk-a-dot evening gown, but that's perfect!
Mad Men is my favourite TV series of all time. Thank you for your take on the costume design, I enjoyed it. One thing to clarify: the baby seen in the cot at Anita's place is not Peggy's baby, which was given up for adoption. Anita would have given birth to her own baby shortly after Peggy
A treat!!🕊️ looking forward to the next one. I love how each woman on mad men represents a facet of life in the 1960s and how their style not only evolves with their character arc but with the times. The difference between 1961 and 1969 is what makes the 60s one of my favorite fashion decades!
@peach560 Thank you! I can't wait to talk about Megan's 60s mini dresses and her Zou Bisou Bisou performance
@@KasiaSopniewska omg yes!!!!!!!! One of my fave moments
I'm so excited you've started covering Mad Men and breaking down specific outfits of the different ladies! Please keep it up, and am looking forward to your Joan and Megan ones.
I've been subscribed to you because of SATC but I'm so glad you're breaking down Mad Men and the show's thoughtful, purposeful and accurate wardrobe. Thank you!
Awesome, thank you! What's your favorite Betty look?
Whenever I watch the show, I always think it's a shame that Betty never broke away from the mindset she was raised in. She truly would have been far happier in life with the lifestyle that Megan has, a cosmopolitan, childless, working woman living in Manhattan. and since she was clearly passionate about her modelling career, I think she would have been more successful than Megan too. Betty could have joined Peggy and Joan in becoming a new sort of woman and shaping their own future. But, sadly, she believed in an ideal that by the time of her death, had begun to die too.
Oooooh I wanted this video to never end, it’s just so cool to analyze all these outfits!! Will definitely check out the next one!! - and thank you so much for adding subtitles 🙏🏽
You should do Mrs. Maisel next
oh, I haven’t seen it yet! I'm adding it to my 'to watch' list. thanks!
Mad Men is amazing for so many reasons, but it's female characters are really the best
Love Mad Men!! This made me want to rewatch it!
This was amazing thank you! I love how much detail went into the storytelling of mad men down to the designs.
I love love love mad men and your channel. You always have such refreshing views on things. Definitely happy if there will be a part two
Peggy, Joan & Dr. Faye as well as Ms. Blankenship are my absolute faves
Oh my god-I love your breakdowns & I love Mad Men-i’m so enthralled right now!
For some reason, I've always loved the dress Betty wore to the audition. It does look a tad old-fashioned, but she's so gorgeous it doesn't matter. I appreciate how they styled her like a doll. Even at home, she's still dressed fancily. The most dressed down she looks is, of course, that lacy night gown. I think this portrays her beauty, and how it can be a burden. At first it sounds great, to have everyone think you're beautiful. However, when that's all people see, I imagine it gets old. Quick.
This video was so fun and insightful. I can hardly wait for the next one!
I need to rewatch this series. I watched it when I was younger and didn't catch on to the subtleties. Great video!
You did a very good job in this video, can’t wait for part 2 ❤
Love this analysis. Excited for the next video
This is amazing!!! I'll be waiting for the next part
I loved this video!can't wait for part 2!!
Wow, I should rewatch this, such a great series.
Begging you on my knees to do gossip girl 😩 The absolute royalty that ruled the late 2000s
@crazymoviegirl9988 babe, I grew up watching GG what kind of video would you like to watch? fashion analysis? character journeys? season breakdowns? xoxo
@@KasiaSopniewska lol yes!
@@KasiaSopniewska honestly? A bit of everything hfjfkfkalak
Great video! Can’t wait for the next seasons, I am obsessed with mad men 😍
Did not disappoint !🥳 Lovee your attention to details per usual 💁🏿♀️
Thank you so much 🤗
Nice! I love 50s and 60s fashions so this was very enjoyable for me.
OMG I BEEN NEEDING SOME THIS TYPA VIDEO I LOVE YOU THANK YOU IM SO GRATEFULLLLLLLLLL
This video was really beautiful! Congratulations!
I miss Mad Men! it was so good. 🖤
It really is one of the best tv dramas ever made
I was looking for a video like this when i first saw the show a few years back
Thank you
Please do the second part ❤ this was great😊
awesome video!! can't wait for more
Great work ! I can‘t imagine how long it takes to make this video !
I'm looking forward to more videos on Mad Men costume design! These are great.
so good and engaging. loved it ❤
Cant wait for next one :)
Thanks 👍 I’m rewatching Mad Men - I’ll be following your videos 😊
I am so Happy you do videos about my favorite series ever..... Hopefully you continue.
That's the plan!
You mentioned we'll never see Betty Draper in sweat pants. Truthfully, no one wore sweat pants in those days. There would have been no place to even buy them.
@lorrilewis2178 you’re right! thank you for spotting my mistake
@@KasiaSopniewska You're welcome.
People wore Muumuus though..equally casual, even more ugly.
@@pcbassoon3892 Or caftans, which can be beautiful.
I'm looking so much forward to this video!!!!
Hope you like it! xx
omg such a pleasure to be able to watch you cover an actual GREAT show! 😍
Please make more content on Mad Men!
I've never seen this show but this was fascinating.
This was awesome, can’t wait for the next one! Mad Men is so underrated I rewatch it all the time. You should do The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as well! ❤❤❤
wow i loved this video great work.
Love this show
Please do more of these 🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️
LOVE your future video ideas.
@wookong1723 yay! thank you! more to come xx
@@KasiaSopniewska i always thought this show wasn't the most loved by the fashion/pop culture side of youtube despite being an almost a perfect show for their usual costuming and critique topics! very elated that you're the one covering it now because i like your satc videos so much
Lovely explanation
Keep it up ❤
Your profile pic is my favorite Betty costume! The sad clown dress was incredible!
I love mad men and especially its costumes! Excited for part 2
I want the next part ❤
Now I'm going to have to binge Mad Men... again 📺
I love so much the costume desing in Mad Men, because isn't just pretty is related to what happend in the story
Mad Men AND Kasia? Yes, please!
It’s funny how people post these videos, that are basically scrapbooks I used to make as a kid. The internet messed up all relationships to things.
hey, thank you :) where is the second part, cant find it!
I’ve never watched mad men. Need to start, the wardrobe looks amazing. 🧐
@nellivilhelmiina I'm sure you would love it. Give it a try ;)
It's a slow burner but such a payoff. After Mad Men I nothing else compares.
I felt that Bette's audition dress made her look childish more than anything. I understand that the actual intention behind it was to showcase the rapidly changing times, but, to me, the element of whimsy carried over more, and January's performance carried a giddiness as well
Poor Betty. She got the raw end of the deal to the end.
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What's the name of the background music?
Gatinha - Cornelio 🎵
@@KasiaSopniewska Thanks
As an older mom who works full time, I'd give up an eyebrow to be able to stay at home and keep everyone fed and the house clean. And I loves me eyebrows.
idk, I guess it's the grass is always greener kind of a thing
It's different when it's a choice you make. At that time women weren't given a choice by society. Or if they did, it was only to be a secretary which meant you were loose and basically a prostitute in male eyes. Not the same thing.
Yes, I'm not married or have children but I agree. I just don't see how you can get bored. If you have free time, there are billion things to do, especially if your husband is rich
This show tried too hard and is totally unrealistic. All men were not drooling wolves, all women were not miserable. And people did not look like sears roebuck models. Sheesh🙄🙄