Mad Men Fashion Recap: Joan Takes the Plunge
Photo: AMC
It was a highly eventful night on Mad Men on Sunday, with both Peggy and Joan making major career steps. Peggy took the more conventional route, accepting a job offer from a competing firm and tearfully announcing her resignation to Don, while Joan gained partner status at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce by quite literally prostituting herself (at Pete’s slimy behest, of course). The best part about this plot twist, of course, was that we got to see lots of Joan in a plethora of different form-fitting dresses. Interestingly, she stuck to an almost entirely purple palette throughout the episode — save a few teal numbers and a funereal black dress that she wore to her yucky hotel room “date” with Jaguar honcho Herb Rennet. Meanwhile, Peggy wore a sassy checkered neckerchief to her interview and resigned in somber maroon wool. Enjoy the full fashion recap in the slideshow ahead.
Given the frequency that Peggy wears this yellow cardigan around the office, it’s perhaps safe to call it her “work sweater” — you know, that thing yo...
Given the frequency that Peggy wears this yellow cardigan around the office, it’s perhaps safe to call it her “work sweater” — you know, that thing you leave draped over your desk chair and throw on whenever the office is particularly chilly. "Work sweater" choices may vary, but most people pick something basic, warm, and neutrally colored so that it won’t clash with whatever they need to toss it over. Peggy’s does not meet that last requirement.
Joan's grape-colored dress As usual, Joan’s palette is dominated by jewel tones, but this episode has her in a lineup of mostly purple dresses. W...
Joan's grape-colored dress As usual, Joan’s palette is dominated by jewel tones, but this episode has her in a lineup of mostly purple dresses. Why purple? we wonder. It looks great on her, of course, but if we’re going to get analytical about it, purple often symbolizes wealth and power. In this episode, Joan gains both — but not without considerable sacrifice, obviously.
Megan's green nightie It resembles a very pretty, girly lampshade. Unlike all of the other female characters on this show, Megan eschews frumpy h...
Megan's green nightie It resembles a very pretty, girly lampshade. Unlike all of the other female characters on this show, Megan eschews frumpy house robes, probably because she’s younger, sexier, and quasi-European.
Joan’s purple floral print Yet another purple number from Joan, this time featuring what appear to be morning glories — or are those petunias? An...
Joan’s purple floral print Yet another purple number from Joan, this time featuring what appear to be morning glories — or are those petunias? Anyway, she wears this while coldly rejecting Pete’s gross-sounding proposition for her to sleep with Herb Rennet, as we all knew she would.
Peggy’s orange-and-yellow plaid Peggy wears this while proving her mettle (once again) on a conference call with a client (the quaint kind, where...
Peggy’s orange-and-yellow plaid Peggy wears this while proving her mettle (once again) on a conference call with a client (the quaint kind, where they actually all stand around a speaker phone). Moments later, she gets bitched at by Don, who’s cranky because the Jaguar pitch isn’t going well. She stomps out of his office with the consternation of an angry schoolteacher.
Trudy’s vibrant housedress Pete complains about Trudy wearing her pajamas at dinner (by pajamas, he’s referring to her elaborate, vibrantly color...
Trudy’s vibrant housedress Pete complains about Trudy wearing her pajamas at dinner (by pajamas, he’s referring to her elaborate, vibrantly colored house robe), and Trudy defends herself, which reminds us that we actually like her for more than her crazy, quilted housewife getups.
Meghan’s sparkly “audition dress” This is the dress that Meghan always wears to her auditions (we saw it in episode eight as well); it come...
Meghan’s sparkly “audition dress” This is the dress that Meghan always wears to her auditions (we saw it in episode eight as well); it comes with a matching double-breasted jacket in the same material. It reminds us of a dress that we bought at Forever 21 in sixth grade for a disco-themed school dance (because obviously, we had no idea what people actually wore at discos).
Julia’s sloppy garters When Megan brings her friend Julia to Don’s office on their way to an audition, Julia acts as Megan’s foil — she climbs on...
Julia’s sloppy garters When Megan brings her friend Julia to Don’s office on their way to an audition, Julia acts as Megan’s foil — she climbs on the conference table and flashes her panties, while Megan is cool, mysterious, and unattainable. Julia wears a short, neon-pink dress, skirt, an intensely patterned coat, and most notably, neon-orange stockings. Her black garters are lopsided, which makes her look even more depressingly hopeless.
Joan’s purple coat More purple! And very alluring.
Gail’s grandma sweater Joan's mom is a grandma, technically, but this sweater — really? Nothing makes you look older than your age like combining...
Gail’s grandma sweater Joan's mom is a grandma, technically, but this sweater — really? Nothing makes you look older than your age like combining stripes with flowers.
Meghan’s teal sweater More of her comfortable-looking “lounging around the house” clothes that we wouldn’t mind having in our own closets.
Joan’s leopard-print collar It’s business time! Nothing whips Pete’s pimping skills in order like sassy leopard-print trim.
Peggy’s second mustard sweater What’s more wholesome than a cardigan trimmed with white flowers? Pie and coffee with Freddy Rumsen, of...
Peggy’s second mustard sweater What’s more wholesome than a cardigan trimmed with white flowers? Pie and coffee with Freddy Rumsen, of course. Photo: @RONP JAFFE
The boys in formation Heading in to give their Jaguar pitch, they look sober and serious. Except for Roger, who’s wearing a polka-dot scarf ...
The boys in formation Heading in to give their Jaguar pitch, they look sober and serious. Except for Roger, who’s wearing a polka-dot scarf and looks like he might vomit — but that's par for the course. Photo: Jordin Althaus
Gail’s grandma sweater, No. 2 Like a fluffy, wearable tabby cat!
Joan’s green robe All the better to cover up her indiscretions.
Joan’s call girl outfit Joan’s ravishing "date" dress makes her boobs resemble horizontal pillows fluffed up beneath her chin...
Joan’s call girl outfit Joan’s ravishing "date" dress makes her boobs resemble horizontal pillows fluffed up beneath her chin. But she never wears black, so the fact that she’s doing so here is significant. Also, how disgusting is Herb when he says, “Let me see ‘em”? Photo: Copyright: AMC 2011
Joan’s navy ruffled dress She's freshly scrubbed, red-lipped, and indestructible as ever! And those ruffles look great.
Peggy’s interview outfit The neckerchief is a bit much, but otherwise she looks quite smart, particularly with the orange piping. Really, we’re h...
Peggy’s interview outfit The neckerchief is a bit much, but otherwise she looks quite smart, particularly with the orange piping. Really, we’re happy anytime she ditches the short-sleeved button-downs.
Joan’s “green means go” dress What to wear when all of your co-workers know you slept with their client to get them a job? Why, form-fittin...
Joan’s “green means go” dress What to wear when all of your co-workers know you slept with their client to get them a job? Why, form-fitting teal with green swag erupting from your cleavage, of course!
Peggy’s resignation dress She’s worn this cowl-necked dress before, and it looks nice on her — womanly, but also serious and mature. Our little P...
Peggy’s resignation dress She’s worn this cowl-necked dress before, and it looks nice on her — womanly, but also serious and mature. Our little Petty’s all grown up! Hopefully her new job means she’ll be able to afford more outfits like this one.
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