Skip to content

Top Navigation

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • News
  • Fashion
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
    • All Natural
  • Lifestyle
    • Astrology
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues
    • President Joe Biden
    • Dr. Jill Biden
    • Vice President Kamala Harris
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Badass Women
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Career
    • Charity
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore InStyle

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The 8 Breakout Hair Color Trends of Winter 2021

      Expect to see these shades all over Instagram. Read More Next
    • What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? 10 Tips to Help You De-Clutter Your Closet

      Fashion designer Misha Nonoo weighs in on the essential items that'll make your 'nothing to wear' days a thing of the past. Read More Next
    • "Maskne" Is a Thing — Here's How to Fight Face Mask Breakouts

      As if stress breakouts weren't bad enough. Read More Next
  • News
  • Fashion

    Fashion

    See All Fashion

    How to Find the Best Color to Wear For Your Skin Tone

    It's not as tricky as you think.
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity

    Celebrity

    See All Celebrity

    The 39 Most Naked Dresses of All Time

    Naked dresses are perhaps the most impressive of all red carpet feats. While they may not always make the best-dressed list, they do require a certain breed of celebrity to pull off. Not only do you have to have the balls to risk a wardrobe malfunction, but you have to do it with enough confidence that you look fierce — not terrified — in the photographs. Take Naomi Campbell's appearance in Valentino's couture show during the spring/summer 2019 presentation. The legendary model gracefully strutted down the runway in a see-through gown with a ruffle skirt. (Click through the gallery for the NSFW photo).  Get the inside scoop on all your favorite celebrities with our FREE daily newsletter, InStyle Celebrity. Breaking news, relationship updates, hairstyle inspo, fashion trends, and more direct to your inbox! Let's not forget Rihanna’s infamous CFDA dress either. The girl rocked a completely sheer dress without a bra — and later remarked that her only regret was not wearing a bedazzled thong to match. That, my friends, is dedication. Then, there was the year 2015, when the Met Gala saw not one nor two but three naked dresses on the red carpet, all worn by Hollywood’s hottest A-listers. Jennifer Lopez, above, bared her famous curves in a custom Atelier Versace illusion gown. Beyoncé was nearly naked in Givenchy. And Kim Kardashian West almost looked modest in comparison in her sheer Roberto Cavalli dress, because no one’s getting naked without KKW joining in. Click through to see the best naked dresses of all time.
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty

    How to Treat Stubborn Cystic Acne, According to Dermatologists

    If you're struggling with breakouts on your chin and jaw area, read this.
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair

    Hair

    See All Hair

    The 5 Haircut Trends That Will Dominate 2020

    The beginning of the new year comes with the irresistible urge to start over fresh, which means it's a great time to get a haircut.  This decade's first big hair trends include looks at every length that can be tailored to your hair texture and personal style. For anyone with a blunt bob — the most popular haircut of the past few years — you probably already guessed that the cut will still be going strong into the next decade. But there will be a few tweaks. As seen on Kerry Washington, 2020's bob has textured, softer edges, and looks amazing whether you part it down the middle or off to the side.  RELATED: The 10 Hairstyles You'll See Everywhere This Winter But if you swear that 2020 is going to be the year you finally grow out your hair, let Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian's extra-long lengths be your inspiration. Or, you can get the look instantly with the help of some clip in extensions.  To help you figure out how to wear your hair in the new year, we've rounded up the five biggest haircut trends of 2020, so you'll be sure of what you want before you head to the salon in January.  VIDEO: The Five Biggest Haircut Trends of 2020
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
    • All Natural
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle

    Your Essential Keto Grocery List

    If you're embarking on the keto diet, here are the must-have items to add to your cart.
    • Astrology
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues

    Politics & Social Issues

    See All Politics & Social Issues

    Joe Biden Broke Barack Obama's Nationwide Popular Vote Record

    Obama's record goes back to 2008.
    • President Joe Biden
    • Dr. Jill Biden
    • Vice President Kamala Harris
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Badass Women
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Career
    • Charity
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture

    Pop Culture

    See All Pop Culture

    Introducing InStyle's First Podcast: Ladies First with Laura Brown

    Join editor in chief Laura Brown as she talks to trailblazers like Emily Ratajkowski, Michelle Pfeiffer and Storm Reid about their historic "firsts" in the industry.
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping

    Shopping

    See All Shopping

    The 13 Best Shapewear Pieces to Shop, According to Thousands of Customer Reviews

    Upgrade your lingerie drawer with these top-rated body shapers.
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Reviews & Coverage Chevron Right
  3. TV Shows Chevron Right
  4. Costume Designer Insider: Get All the Details on the Looks Seen on Last Night's Mad Men Episode

Costume Designer Insider: Get All the Details on the Looks Seen on Last Night's Mad Men Episode

By Alexandra DeRosa
Updated May 26, 2014 @ 6:33 pm
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Jordin Althaus/AMC

Things definitely wrapped up on last night's mid-season finale of Mad Men. Some stories came to a close—like Bert Cooper's and Don's and Megan's relationship—and others were close calls. To wit: Ted's plane ride scare and, last but not least, Don's will-it-actually-ever-happen departure from the agency.

Even though there were drama-filled moments in last night's episode, the show closed out with an extremely unexpected song and dance. Read: Cooper's final moments on the show were dream-like and musical-esque. He sang a song to Don reminding him that the best things in life are free.

And there was an epic event that brought all the characters together—Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. But the real triumph came when Peggy delivered a killer commercial pitch to the Burger Chef client. She had everyone eating out of the palm of her hands.

For that memorable moment, Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant dressed Peggy in a blue-and-green striped dress. "That costume was really important because she needed to wear something that was really impactful," Bryant exclusively tells us. "I felt like that costume said, ‘I am a serious advertising woman. Take me serious,'" she adds.

For more from Bryant on last night's looks (and other memorable outfits from season 7), browse through the gallery.

Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Seven

Credit: Courtesy of AMC

"I loved Peggy's presentation dress. It was so strong, so graphic," Bryant tells us. "That costume was really important because she needed to be wearing something that was really impactful. Blue and green are some of Peggy’s signature colors. And horizontal stripes are really strong. For me, I felt like that costume said ‘I am a serious advertising woman. Take me serious.’"

1 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Seven

Credit: Courtesy of AMC

For a quick meeting, Joan wore a vintage linen printed sheath dress and a vintage tassel necklace.

2 of 25

3 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Seven

Credit: Courtesy of AMC

When Megan and Don decided to end their relationship over the phone, Megan was sitting outside soaking up the California sun. "That was a swimsuit that I designed for her. Wasn’t it beautiful? It has leather trim as well. The cover up was vintage too," says Bryant.

3 of 25

Advertisement

4 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Six

Credit: Courtesy of AMC

“That is a vintage dress and it’s one of my favorite costumes in her closet. I love the color on Peggy. It’s an important piece for that scene and it is a very vulnerable color for her,” Bryant tells us.

4 of 25

5 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Six

Credit: Justina Mintz/AMC

Because this episode took place over the weekend, Bryant created an off-duty look for Joan. “That was a dress that I felt like was a little bit different from what she would usually wearing to the office,” Bryant tells us.

5 of 25

6 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Six

Credit: Courtesy of AMC

Bonnie wore a cotton pique daisy print dress for a day out in New York City. “That was specifically for Bonnie going out and shopping in New York City in the dead heat of the summer. And so I wanted her to be in something that really seemed California-like, maintaining that very flirtatious nature of all of her costumes,” Bryant tells us. “I love that Bonnie is very flirtatious. She seems really fun but she has amazing boundaries. I really wanted her costume to evoke the mood of flirtation,” she adds.

6 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Six

Credit: Justina Mintz/AMC

“I feel like it’s very Trudy,” says Bryant of the character’s ensemble. “It is very classic in a way; it’s understated, very beautiful, and not overly sexy but just very pretty,” says Bryant of the teal, drop waist pleated dress that Trudy wore out to dinner. “I loved the whole thing. I loved her hair down and I loved the dress on her. I always love to see Trudy in her evening costumes,” she adds.

7 of 25

8 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Five

Credit: Courtesy of AMC

For the party Megan throws, Bryant chose to costume her in a standout piece. “In terms of working with the production designer and the set decorator, it was very important for her dress to be very graphic and to really stand out within that set since it was a dark, nighttime, party scene. All of those elements had to come into play when creating that costume,” Bryant tells us.

8 of 25

9 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Five

Credit: Courtesy of AMC

As for the yellow look Megan wore earlier in the episode, “that was a vintage dress that I’ve actually been saving for her to wear, and it was the perfect scene for her to wear it last night,” Bryant tells us. “It’s about Megan being in California. It’s very bohemian and it’s also another modern costume piece for the period,” Bryant adds.

9 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Five

Credit: Courtesy of AMC

Stephanie, Don’s niece, paid a visit to Megan’s California home. While she was there, she took a bath and borrowed Megan’s robe—a robe Megan wore during episode three of this season. “I love those costume design moments in Mad Men. I think it’s really important for a character to repeat costumes or for another character to repeat it,” Bryant tells us. “I think that that was an important moment when we saw Megan trying to show her generosity even though it was hard for her,” she adds.

10 of 25

11 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Four

Credit: Justina Mintz/AMC

“I really wanted Peggy to seem almost like a schoolgirl,” says Janie Bryant. “I loved the sailor collar, the dropped waist, the pleated skirt. It’s a very school girl deal. And she is sort of given the task of being a boss and is feeling insecure about that, so it’s really showing Peggy as a young school girl and almost confused and questioning her position,” Bryant adds.

11 of 25

12 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Four

Credit: Courtesy of AMC

"Costume design-wise, I felt that it was amazing to see the commune all put together," Bryant tells us. "I did so much research on the period and the lifestyle of a commune during that period," she adds. "I loved the whole sequence between Margaret, Mona, and Roger. I just loved seeing them as a family. And how bewildering all of that would be—to have your daughter leave her family and join a commune, a place that’s really other worldly. I felt like the costume design really helped to tell that story of where Margaret is at this point," says Bryant.

12 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Four

Credit: Michael Yarish/AMC

As for the fur coat Mona wore to the commune, “it was all about the contrast,” Bryant tells us. “Mona is glamorous. She is of means and lives in New York City. She has the ability to have great, luxurious pieces. And that is her character, she is quite refined and elegant but I think that she is a woman who stays up on current fashion. She’s not a trendy character, but she is a woman of a certain age who knows what looks what great on her," Bryant adds.

13 of 25

14 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Four

Credit: Justina Mintz/AMC

Joan wears a vintage dress in the beginning of the episode when everyone in the office was gathered around about the news of getting a computer. "There are so many people in that scene, so I wanted Joan to be in a very dynamic color so that she would really stand out," Bryant tells us.

14 of 25

15 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Three

Credit: Courtesy

Costume Designer Janie Bryant's favorite look from episode three was Joan's rose printed polyester dress. "I love that dress. It was a vintage dress that I redesigned and made for Joan," she tells us. Of course, Joan wore one of her signature pendant necklaces (a piece Bryant tells us was vintage), but Joan did stray away from her signature look when she wore to-the-knee boots. As for the inspiration behind her stiletto-wearing departure: "She’s dipping into the swinging '60s a little bit," Bryant tells us.

15 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Three

Credit: Courtesy

"Betty is a character who is truly classic, she is a housewife and a politician’s wife. Betty always presents herself as an image of perfection. So her costumes are very crisp and timeless. I tried to give her an update with the prints—they’re a little more modern," Bryant tells us. "Her skirts are little shorter, too. But they’re not too short—they’re not a mini, they’re to the mid-thigh. It’s a very tasteful, appropriate length for that time. It’s all about being appropriate and pretty," she adds.

16 of 25

17 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Three

Credit: Courtesy

"Megan, she is my character that is very modern. And also, she is in California so I really wanted her to have a very California color palette and the crochet and the macramé happening during that period," Bryant tells us. Bryant costumed Megan in a canary-yellow mini skirt and teamed it "with a psychedelic printed blouse with the big sleeves and an exaggerated cuff," Bryant tells us.

17 of 25

18 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Two

Credit: Michael Yarish/AMC

"We haven’t seen Sally in any of these colors before. Sally really does wear, and always has worn, a lot of color. I loved that transition for her," says Janie Bryant. "That dress that she wears, I designed it for her specifically for that scene. It has three vintage buttons in the front," Bryant tells us of her creation. "She had her turtle neck on and, of course, her knee socks, which girls and teenagers, they all wore knee socks during that period. So that's always been the signature thing for Sally," Bryant adds.

18 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Two

Credit: Michael Yarish/AMC

During the scene when Peggy assumes the flowers on Shirley's desk are for her, we got to see Shirley's look from head-to-toe. “I love Shirley. Shirley is such a fun character. She’s a character that is really doing what is trending during the period. She is definitely a girl who is all about a sign of the times and during this time girls were wearing their skirts and dresses so short,” costume designer Janie Bryant tells us.

19 of 25

20 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Two

Credit: Jordin Althaus/AMC

Joan wore one of Janie Bryant's favorite costumes during the Valentine's Day episode. “Joan is a character who has traditionally always gotten into the theme and spirit of the holidays whether it be Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas or Valentine’s Day. So I thought it was really important for her to be clothed in cranberry but not so right on the nose of 'Valentine's Day heart red.' I wanted the color to be deeper and darker. Her character and story line was not happy or about romance and love or anything like that, so I really wanted to color to be darker and deeper,” she adds. As for Joan’s hair style, “she had a birds nest in the back.” Bryant tells us.

20 of 25

21 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Two

Credit: Michael Yarish/AMC

“I just love the idea that Peggy would be in a dress that was just so non-celebratory on Valentine’s Day. The beige, the brown, and the neck bow, which was not tied perfectly — it’s all about Peggy sort of being unaware of the romantic day,” Janie Bryant tells us of Peggy's Valentine's Day office-wear.

21 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode Two

Credit: Courtesy of AMC

Even though Dawn had a huge role in episode two, she stayed true to her style. “Dawn is a character who is under the radar, she is more conservative,” says Bryant. “She’s also very professional and she is sort of like Peggy in that way, just very professional and very quiet,” Janie Bryant tells us.

22 of 25

23 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode One

Credit: Michael Yarish/AMC

“Megan Draper is a very modern character,” says Janie Bryant. “I love the whole idea of her costume being light, airy, fresh, and new — and, of course, having the element of the sleeve being flowy. The air hitting the chiffon and all of the movement of the costume was really important,” dished the costume designer about her favorite look from episode one.

23 of 25

24 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode One

Credit: Jordin Althaus/AMC

“Peggy is a professional woman,” Bryant tells Instyle.com. “I love expressing her professionalism with suits. I love the idea that one of Peggy’s signature colors—that I’ve always done for her throughout the whole six/seven years—is mustard, so I wanted to have that impact of mustard for Peggy,” costume designer Janie Bryant adds.

24 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Episode One

Credit: Jordin Althaus/AMC

Towards the end of episode one, Peggy "wore her beautiful, beautiful wool navy shift dress with the printed scarf at the neck. It had buttons—it was like double breasted buttons—down the front,” says Bryant. “And her beret! I loved the idea of that beret because the back story of it is that I thought Peggy’s mom would’ve knit that for her and given it to her as a gift. I love that beret! When she was wearing it in that last scene, it breaks my heart," Bryant tells us.

25 of 25

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Alexandra DeRosa

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 25 Episode Seven
2 of 25 Episode Seven
3 of 25 Episode Seven
4 of 25 Episode Six
5 of 25 Episode Six
6 of 25 Episode Six
7 of 25 Episode Six
8 of 25 Episode Five
9 of 25 Episode Five
10 of 25 Episode Five
11 of 25 Episode Four
12 of 25 Episode Four
13 of 25 Episode Four
14 of 25 Episode Four
15 of 25 Episode Three
16 of 25 Episode Three
17 of 25 Episode Three
18 of 25 Episode Two
19 of 25 Episode Two
20 of 25 Episode Two
21 of 25 Episode Two
22 of 25 Episode Two
23 of 25 Episode One
24 of 25 Episode One
25 of 25 Episode One

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
InStyle InStyle

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Accolades Licensing
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
InStyle is part of the Meredith Beauty Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. InStyle may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.instyle.com

View image

Costume Designer Insider: Get All the Details on the Looks Seen on Last Night's Mad Men Episode
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.