Chain smoking, hard drinking, womanisin’ and cheatin’ in the bed/boardroom – the favourite pastimes of many a bloke 45 years ago…and probably a few today no doubt. Only difference is these shenanigans don’t normally occur in the workplace nowadays – certainly not the smoking anyway. But they certainly occur in abundance in the hit retro tv show, Mad Men.

This vintage viewing is the highest rated original series in AMC history, focusing on the many contradictions and complications in America circa 1960 when the working white man was king and the ‘weaker’ sex merely subservant arm candy. As the boys on screen smoke and seduce their way through the working week –the glamourous ladies light up the screen with some amazing vintage outfits. Because the show is filmed with exquisite visual style and strict attention to historical detail, us vintage lovin fashionistas are in for a treat every episode!

The iconic costumes are sourced and created by costume designer Janie Bryant who is talking about now creating her own “Mad Men” inspired fashion line so modern women can attain vintage style.

“I’m working on some things right now…I hate to be so mysterious but I can’t really say! It would have my name attached to it though,” Bryant tells Glamour magazine.

Bryant says the key to attaining the “Mad Men” style without wearing a costume is to combine the vintage look with a contemporary piece.

“You know what’s really fun, is to get a great vintage blouse of the period, with some pin tucks or ruffles, and wear them with skinny jeans,” the costume designer advises. “Definitely if you buy something, a piece from the period, I always mix it with very contemporary pieces, whether it be a modern shoe or skinny jeans or high waisted trouser jeans. I’m a strong believer in mixing a lot of pieces.”

We hear ya girl and can’t wait to see what her upcoming line produces!! And if you can’t wait for Janie either and want that designer Mad Men look at a fraction of the price then get your peepers on these beauties:

Technorati Tags: 1960 style, 50s bolero jacket, 50s dress, 50s dress twinset, 50s style, 50s summer dress, 50s vintage, floral dress, full circle dress, janie bryant, mad men, retro tv show, Womens vintage clothing

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One of the hottest movies of this year – Revolutionary Road – will be gracing the shelves of all good dvd stores very soon we are told! It may be the long awaited reunion movie for these two megastars, between their love scenes and fight scenes serious sparks fly!  

 

This emotional ’50s drama is based on characters Frank and April Wheeler, a young couple trying to find fulfillment in an era of conformity. But what we’re really anticipating is the display of top notch 50s vintage attire on the beautiful award winning Kate Winslet.

 

We have a fab 50s day dress below which wouldn’t have looked out of place on set – what do you think!

 

Technorati Tags: 50s clothes, 50s day dress, 50s dress, 50s inspired movie, kate winslet, mode o day dress, revolutionary road

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Not so ugly Betty! Stunning America Ferrera turned heads in this Oscar de la Renta floral 50s style tulip dress at the U.S Glamour awards – well she certainly gets our award for upping the ante in the glam stakes.

Yet another vintage inspired piece by one of the hottest designers on the scene right now –a pricey but classy replication. We think America would look just as amazing in our Heavenly 50s floral dress below – and by America we mean the U.S of A!

Check it out…

Technorati Tags: 50s dress, 50s inspired, 50s vintage, america ferrera, floral dress, glamour awards, oscar de la renta, yellow dress

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Dita Von Teese…Pin-up and Playboy legend, Vintage loving Vixen and ex wife of one Marilyn Manson…not your typical girl next door! With dozens of appearances in magazines and burlesque shows worldwide she has designed her own collection of old-style lingerie and is largely responsible for the new fascination in the burlesque art-form.

Her unique taste and affinity for classy 40s and 50s inspired vintage fashion are hard to ignore and, consequently, this has seen her gather a huge fanbase. Check out her bombshell dress above and how immaculately this gal is made up!

Good news is… we can help you out in the bombshell frock department, try this little teaser…

Technorati Tags: 50s dress, bombshell dress, burlesque, coral dress, dita von teese, gold, lace, pin up style, tulle, vintage summer dress, vintage wedding dress

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Famous stylist and costume designer Arianne Philips has been working with the material girl for many years now and is responsible for her latest looks seen here in a portfolio for her new album ‘American Life’. The black zippered fifties style dress below is from Victoria Beckham’s latest collection of vintage inspired classic wear while the sequinned gown above is an original 50’s vintage piece bought from ‘The Way we Were’ a vintage store in L.A and from the owners own private collection no less!

 

Arianne says:

‘’The dress is reminiscent of our original inspiration for the shoot – the 1963 Jeanne Moreau film ‘Bay of Angels’. Madonna insisted on some 50’s and 60’s pieces to mix with contemporary designer fashions’’

Arianne also spoke about how she particularly liked the idea of the Beckham dress being used as it was in keeping with fashion-in-music theme ‘’ being passed from one pop-star to another’’ I’m sure ol’ Posh was thrilled to be mentioned in the same sentence never mind have Madge immortalise one of her frocks!

 

We at Perk Up! would like to present to you one of our own 50’s original black wiggle dresses below left accompanied by a 70′s -50′s style - glam evening dress to the right… Madonna was unavailable to model so we used ‘Madge the Mannequin’ instead – click on and enjoy…

 

 

Technorati Tags: 50s dress, 70's black dress, arianne phillips, eveningwear, fashion in music, joan leslie dress, madonna, sequinned dress, sexy black dress, victoria beckham dress, vintage, wiggle dress

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