Mad Men Season 5 Fashion Inspiration
Pattern Play in Mad Men Season Five
Patterns played a huge role in '60s style, both in fashion and interiors. While modernism introduced bold geometric patterns inspired by op art, fresher twists on classics like stripes, plaid, florals, zebra, and window pane check were prevalent. The Mad Men crew sport eye-catching patterns in this scene from season 5. Keep reading to check out retro-inspired spaces that use these patterns and contemporary products you can buy to steal the look!
Photo courtesy of AMC
Not only did zebra prints deliver the perfect touch of graphic punch, but they also evoked a sense of exoticism that began to trend during the period. If you look past the characters, you'll catch a glimpse of zebra furniture in the scene.
The perfect conversation piece, zebra print was seen on everything from coats to furniture like this pair of 1960's Zebra Cowhide Chairs ($6,500).
In the inspiration photo, Pete Campbell wears a bold, large scale plaid suit jacket. The utilitarian appeal of plaid flannels soared during the decade. Pop groups like the Beach Boys were photographed wearing their iconic uniform of khakis and Pendleton plaid button ups over white T-shirts. In the home, plaid took on a similar role as a cozy decorative staple.
This Kilrush Brown Spice Plaid Throw ($230) could also be folded at the foot of a bed.
The flower power movement of the mid-1960s stemmed from anti-war sentiments during the Vietnam War and trickled into fashion and interior design. Colorful floral chiffon dresses, like the one Trudy Campbell is wearing in the inspiration photo, were everywhere — as were decorative floral upholstery fabrics.
I love the idea of busting this Marimekko Ruusu Tablecloth ($60) out for Spring tablescapes.
Bolder stripes became prevalent in the '60s, tweaking the more conservative versions from the previous decade. This scene from the era's hit movie, The Graduate, is a classic example of stripes being used in fashion and interiors. Ken Cosgrove even works in a striped tie that he mixes with another '60s pattern.
This Black and White Stripe Umbrella ($380-$430) can add a similar vibe to a backyard space or the beach.
Harlequin patterns began appearing up in' 60s pop and design culture, gracing everything from the first Coke can design to dresses like the one worn by one of the Mad Men characters.
This Harlequin Cushion ($100) adds a bit of '60s pop to this vignette. If you look closely, you can even recognize a faint harlequin pattern in the rug.
Windowpane check dominated outfits and rooms in the '60s, especially with big-ticket items like suits and sofas. Ken Cosgrove expertly combines a windowpane check suit separate with a striped tie in the inspiration photo.
This Italian Windowpane Check Sheet Set ($90) is the interiors equivalent of Buddy Holly frames. Masculine and polished. Stylish but still perfectly understated.