Season Four opens exactly a year after Season Three ended and initially, it seems as though things have simmered down and it’s back to business. We eventually learn, however, that a lot has changed in “Mad Men” world. Sterling Cooper has officially been renamed “Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce” and though they are struggling as a business, they are no longer working out of a hotel room. Peggy has a new take-no-crap attitude while Joan has an office all to herself. Don and Betty have officially divorced with Betty remarrying Henry. The episode is bookended with Don being interviewed by two different print publications. Earlier, it’s Ad-Age magazine where the typically elusive Don doesn’t really give the writer a whole lot to write about resulting in a not-so-glowing article. By the time he speaks to the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Draper decides to throw caution to the wind and spill all. And as the scene draws to a close to the badass sounds of Nashville Teen’s “Tobacco Road”, the foreshadowing of change is palpable, just as it was in the real world as 1963 ponied into ’64.
Fashionwise, the biggest change belonged to Peggy: gone for good are the bangs and ponytails, ‘in’ is a modern new bob signaling how much more she is paying attention to her appearance. The knock-out outfit of the episode, however, belonged to Joan. While at the office, she sports a royal blue pencil skirt sheath featuring a glorious two-tone waterfall ruffle neckline. The tapered sleeves ending just below the elbow are punctuated with flared bias cut cuffs, a shape that is just becoming popular in fashion and a precursor to the all-out bell sleeves that are just on the horizon.
Modernize the look for yourself in a fitted blue hourglass-shaped dress with interesting details:
Or get a flavor of this style in a blouse or sweater with similar ruffle flourishes:
