What "Mad Men" Got Wrong (Style Expert Fact Checks Clothes)

[@Jayjee762]

The low rise of the trousers is such a small detail that makes such a difference! I wish higher rises were more popular today

[@justindrewer7934]

Recently, I tried on some medium-to-high rise dress trousers, and I'm never going back! :)

[@Jayjee762]

@@justindrewer7934 they’re so flattering on just about everyone!

[@justindrewer7934]

@@Jayjee762 Yes! The proportions simply seem more "right." And they're much more comfortable, in my opinion.

[@glared]

@@justindrewer7934 Comfortable, gives an height impression.. I wonder how could someone renounce to it.

[@claytonberg721]

I've got a brooks brothers from the 60's with trousers that height.

[@smokeystover5682]

I remember that we had cuffs even on our casual pants, as well as our suit pants, back in the '60s. They were narrow, about an inch or an inch-and-a-quarter high. Dark brown and dark olive suits could be seen in office wear. As for shoes, the black gunboat wingtip was often worn for business, and was considered the businessman's shoe.

[@willisix2554]

I Absolutely love Cuffs ,almost all of my pants have them

[@hakim2546]

The most obvious mistake about the mad men suits is that the trousers are way too low in mad men in the 1960s the trousers sat on the waist

[@seabreeze4559]

it's nice to see someone who loves historical fashion and isn't just bashing hollywood for taking creative liberties

[@martintanz9098]

I didn't remember Draper wearing a modern Rolex, but I do remember an episode where he was wearing a period correct Omega Seamaster Deville. I know the watch well because I have the same watch, which I inherited from my grandmother's estate when she passed away. I even remember my grandmother wearing it when I was a child, even though it was a men's watch.

[@claytonberg721]

I think he wears a polerouter at one point in time as well...

[@theplasticdesert2408]

Rolex explorers have been around for decades and Sir Hillary wore an early version up Mount Everest.

[@claytonberg721]

@@theplasticdesert2408 Not that model and certainly not with a saphire crystal.

[@rcbuggies57]

Literally the same for me. The only nice watch I had is inherited from my grandfather, a seamaster deville from the sixties.

[@theplasticdesert2408]

Clayton Berg yes very true.

[@vaderprime923]

I think the costume designers were more focused on the general feeling and the changing of the trends in the office, rather than getting all of the details correct.

[@gentlemansgazette]

It appears that way 😘

[@bighands69]

Getting the details absolutely correct would have pushed the budget up and probably impacted the show.

[@gabrielyu88]

Don Draper was one of the most consistent hat wearers throughout the show, all the way up to Season 7 Part 2 set in 1970. To say that he rarely wore his hat is straight up wrong

[@robertschneider2189]

These were my father's fashions, and popular during my coming-of-age. Thanks for the walk back in time.

[@bruno8126]

24:11 'It's a shame that Gentleman's Gazette wasn't around for him when he needed it' hahaha! that made me laugh, very good video! very informative.

[@Egilhelmson]

Unless you had a column in Playboy, I doubt that Harry would read it. He was as bad a rake as Don, somehow :-)

[@DapperDebonair9820]

Such a good channel! Doing many guides, reviewing films and high quality videos. You also have nice people around you such as Preston and Kyle! In my opinion, although many other channels are good as well, The Gentleman’s Gazette is truly the best channel you can find about classic menswear! Again such a good channel!

[@dolan5685]

Looks like Don Draper is rocking a quadruple pant break

[@speedingpenguin]

27:07 exactly how I’d expect to see you working out 🤣👌

[@gentlemansgazette]

I am surprised you are the only comment so far. Maybe people didn't watch all the way to the end.

[@emiliotordesillas6366]

Perfect timing! I'm currently binge watching Mad Men and so far I'm really enjoying it from the 60s overall aesthetic to the suits. My favorite suit in the show is the grey three piece suit Roger Sterling wore in the 10th episode of the first season that featured wide peak lapels (which I'm guessing was more common in the 50s?) Thanks for the video Gentleman's Gazette! Looking forward to future content!

[@albertgiraudier]

At last an episode on Mad Men ! Amazing !

[@donalny]

Looks good at first but the flaws are more apparent the longer you see him sounds like Don Draper. Other than the watch and pants height, might that have been intentional?

[@jamesthewineguy]

I would like to hear your perspective on clothing quality in the past 50 years.

[@dylanhall6355]

I recently purchased a deadstock 1950’s Enro shirt which had a pinhole collar. So they did at least make some off the rack pinhole collar shirts back in the day!

[@LongSurreal]

Great video! Hope you can do another Mad Men video about how their fashion transitioned into the 70s!

[@porterstreator]

Great video! Probably my favorite show of all time. The only thing is, I wish you would have featured episodes in later seasons, as their style got better as the show continued. Also, Ted Chaough would have been a great character to highlight stylistically.

[@kevinsnotonsocialmedia]

Exactly. They keep showing the pilot episode. That’s not an accurate representation of the style throughout the show.

[@themoderndandy713]

27:03 Raphael casually flexing his dandy status. In all seriousness, I am Dandy is a wonderful book full of fascinating people that works as a display piece that you'll also love to read. If you ever get the opportunity, pick up a copy. It's one of the only books above $50.00 that I would actually buy.

[@maxhalsted5381]

I have heard it it and I will locate a copy

[@gentlemansgazette]

The second book We are dandy was great too.

[@maxhalsted5381]

@@gentlemansgazette I will obtain copies of both. One question do offer fashion advice for a discerning gentleman of portly stature?

[@felixdittrich5469]

"One of the only books above $50.00 that I would actually buy" thats sad ngl.

[@themoderndandy713]

@@maxhalsted5381 If you mean the book, it doesn't. It's not really a book of style rules and advice and more a collection of the best dressed and dandyesque men in the world and their insights into life.

[@bonitaderosa3134]

What a great video! Well done! I always thought Don Draper could NOT wear a hat well at all... didn't know what the problem was except maybe it was too small for his head - it just never seemed to sit right. Love your insights on this

[@gelchert]

I think you’re right. A wider brim (like a traditional fedora) would have balanced out Jon Hamm’s frame a lot better.

[@jUQMtDmf]

This video refers to 'today' as the 'skinny/super slim-fit' times multiple times, but I really think that was more 2012-ish, which is already a decade ago. Fashion already moved to way more relaxed and roomy fits in the late 2010s, and keeps getting wider.

[@icecol22]

Man,I enjoyed this video.I wear vintage clothes from the 1960s to the early 1980s. You know that heavier wool and Donegal tweeds were worn.I love what they were trying on Mad Men.Banana Republic even had a Mad Men line back when the show was popular. Thank you for an very interesting video. A lot of Hollywood movies and shows get the period looks wrong 99% of the time.❤

[@MrFagedaboudit]

I grew up in mid-town Manhattan in the 50s/60s. You nailed the rights/wrongs. Please cover the women and kids.

[@Hordebarraged]

The clip of you on your exercise bike wearing your suit and headband combo had me rolling in the aisle...good job!

[@panzerkami2381]

For those who really want to see "period clothes" I'd recommend skipping rubbish modern shows and films set in the past (like Mad Men), and instead watch the films FROM the past. "The best of everything", "To catch a thief", "Summertime", "North by northwest", "The Thomas Crown Affair", "Charade" and so on all the way back to "Casablanca". I recall that Raphael dismissed some of these classics as "boring" in some old video and for sure, a lot of younger men will fail to appreciate them, but I really recommend giving the oldies a chance. Not only do you get to see a cavalcade of actual period men's fashion, you also get to see some amazing films from a time when Hollywood knew how to tell stories (unless you suffer from millennial ADHD and can't stand 20 seconds of "nothing happening" in which case I suppose you gotta stick to whatever NetFlix and Amazon tells you to watch ).

[@feliciacoffey6832]

Word!!!

[@SpamMouse]

This was REALLY good, great analysis and review of details, this format of video clip is much underrated and look forward to seeing more like the Godfather video. Keep up this excellent work.

[@matejkincl]

Hey, love this video. Please do Harvey Specter / Suits next!

[@thepeacockmaster]

I’m surprised that you didn’t talk about Harry Crane’s ascot and scarves (I want to learn how to tie those ones). But that’s ok.

[@Qwourtz]

I think they have a video about tying ascots. Not sure about scarves, but I think so as well.

[@Konsaliki]

@@Qwourtz They do. Several vids on ascots and at least one on scarves.

[@thepeacockmaster]

I’m talking about the Fred Jones (Scooby Doo) ascot and the Jimi Hendrix scarf.

[@ericseabury3968]

Great review, although any suits I wear, I’ll refer to Sean Connery as James Bond in “Dr. No”, “From Russia With Love” and “Goldfinger” or Cary Grant, in the 1950s, in “To Catch A Thief”, Indiscreet”, “An Affair To Remember” and “North by Northwest”. 👍🏽

[@ljuglampa]

"Suits" doesn't really take place in "unmodern" times but it would be really interesting if you could sort of review that show and what they did right/wrong etc. Thanks for the awesome content!

[@bradleybookman8833]

Have y’all done this style review of the USA (station not country) series “Suits”? Both of these shows were huge triggers for me to start re-evaluating and choosing a more mature wardrobe. Thank you for all your effort.

[@gearhead1234]

Covering the subsets of men’s fashion in the 60’s would be very interesting indeed. Please consider doing an episode or two on the subject, thanks!

[@TOFOGeorge]

It could be hard but I would love to see a similar style video on how accurate video games get the fashion of their periods. From the top of my head the Mafia franchise and LA Noire could be looked at.

[@TinaLeder]

One of my favorite shows❤

[@latedala07]

This was a delightful watch. I've seen many historical fashion analyses of how period shows and movies handled women's style, but this is one of the few deep dives I've seen into the accuracy of period men's style in media. Absolutely wonderful video!

[@emilypearson1684]

I wonder if SRS will ever be asked to be a movie or show costume consultant

[@amadejpesko]

0:35, Hahahaha. I love the video. 👍👍

[@osnoflaestudios]

Oh my god, I'm early Hello from Mexico, I love your videos and they're very helpful. I would like to see a video of the style in the show Gotham, thanks! -Luis

[@jrh11254]

Raphael - you keep repeating the term, “the sixties,” when speaking of “Mad Men’s” first season. The year was 1960, the US President was Ike Eisenhower, so in that sense it’s still the 1950s. Some say the Sixties began with Kennedy’s inauguration; others with the appearance of The Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

[@rastrats]

You're suggesting US Presidents define the start of each "even-numbered" decade? That voters brought in Joe Biden as America's current President (its taking a while to sink in, I know) to follow in G.W.B and J.F.K.'s vote-steps, just for this novelty? The sixties began with the advent of color television and ended with the untimely passing of Dan Blocker, who played Hoss in Bonanza. Now there's a show that pays attention to historical attire!

[@retrogamer6750]

@@rastrats are you a trump supporter?

[@rastrats]

@@retrogamer6750 I'm inspired by Trump's dress sense, the way he wears his suits and his general appearance on television, which is what we are on this forum to discuss, so yes, in that sense; in terms of 45's legacy, its too early to say and not really relevant here. How would Trump fit into Mad Men? Very well, I think!

[@willisix2554]

For The Record The "60s" Started in 1960!

[@arrow1414]

@@willisix2554 The point is that culturally, politically and socially doesn't necessarily start at the start of the decade. For me the sixties did start until 1964 after JFK's assasination and the Beatles landing in America. Before those things happened there was still a 1950s aura. Some would say the 60s started in 1965 with the first combat troops in Vietnam and the first, respectful protest. Conversely the 1960s to me didn't end until the last Apollo Moon missions in 1972 and the first hints of an obscure puzzling breakin at the Watergate which started the 1970s. On the otherhand the 1980s started in 1980 with the election of Ronald Reagan but ended in 1992.

[@lyricsronen]

Some of these criticism are missing the point - for example, Roger wearing the double breasted suits with the top button undone - it's exactly because you wouldn't do that back then that it fits Roger's character perfectly - he is an overgrown child who treats the office like his home, and his character is all about projecting comfort and a relaxed demeanor. I would guess that button is open not because Janie didn't know what she was doing, but rather because she knew exactly what she was doing.

[@panzersoldat_4265]

Wow!!! It was about time😂. Anyways, greetings from Spain

[@Antenox]

I think the anachronistic mix of fabrics and low rise pants is partly a way for the costume designers to convey to the audience the contemporary status of these men to their peers. Using period details like that might have made them look older (and possibly out of date) in a way that the show runners don't want to imply.

[@mrpeel3239]

Insightful observations about trousers, and suspenders!

[@boogerie]

I REALLY wish you would do a similar examination of "Babylon Berlin"

[@Kingme]

I love the episodes and thanks for the advise on style and can you do a review of agent 47 style in talking about in the game not the movie

[@arportillo5227]

Thank you for this video.

[@hakim2546]

Can u do a video on Alain delon

[@jonaswulff4424]

Love your videos Raphael and your style is on point as always. I mean you no disrespect but as a man with a receding hairline do you have any tips for me and how have you delt with loosing your hair? Love and all good things to you and your family from Finland. J.B Wulff

[@MarshallIgnas]

You can always try Rogaine or some other Minoxidil treatment in conjunction to using a dermaroller. I use a 2 mm dermaroller once a week, and a .25 mm dermaroller twice a week. The stress to the scalp causes a collagen reflex which stimulates hair growth.

[@daviswiltonbader4807]

We’ll done! Please make a video like this for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” 🙏

[@dr.fritzfassbender]

A mistake they also made: Shirt collars. Looks like all of their business shirts (especially the white business shirts): The collars were too long. Shirt collars, like the suits of the '60's, were a bit narrower and shorter. Looks like those shirts are more of today's fashion (or whatever they had in the costume department). For example: (10:34) Don Draper's white tuxedo shirt collar is way too big and overwhelms the skinny bowtie (making him look more like a waiter than a guest); Then look at Stanley Baker's tuxedo shirt, which is equally wide as Draper's, but shorter and compliments his continental tie. Sven's shirt collar for this video is actually quite spot-on for the 1960's - right size and length.

[@jknw7033]

Could you make a video about the costumes in the alienist or Hannibal next?

[@KenManTheOneAndOnly]

I love these videos, they are always so interesting and I learn so much from them. Thank you for an amazing video

[@PaulCabin]

You should do Downton Abbey next!

[@willre00]

Good video but too much focus on the pilot episode. The budget went well up later on.

[@Cybrludite]

Just for the LOLs, I love to see a review of the menswear in The Road Warrior.

[@_heavens_hell_97_64]

Hey friend, could you do a video on the outfits in Mafia Definitive Edition?

[@sonnysantana5454]

this show did more to get the under 40' crowd to step up on their dressing then any of the latest music trends ever could

[@timward3116]

Interesting. Might the thickness of the suit jacket have had something to do with the season (thicker during winter, but thinner material for summer)? I ask because my dad was in advertising back then (worked on some major national campaigns) in Chicago, and I seem to remember his suit coats being a little wrinkled at times. The suits in the TV show did fit much better than anything I remember seeing in my childhood, though. Maybe my dad should have gotten a tailor!

[@ryangatien6615]

Was your father about the same age as Don or Pete?

[@timward3116]

@@ryangatien6615 My dad was in his 30's from the mid-50's to the mid-60's, so I would say he was about Don's age.

[@ladyrose7793]

Didn't in the 1980's the button suspenders, cuff on pants, come back into style? Along with the skinny ties were fashionable. Maybe Gentleman's Gazette should do a video on the 1980's men's suit styles.

[@iannordin5250]

One of the thematic details I like about the show is that as it goes on Draper's wardrobe and hairstyle - which was already a bit behind the times when the series started - becomes more and more out of place as the character stagnates. When the series ends in the 70s his attire and style have aged considerably, showing that despite styling himself as a cutting-edge marketeer he's a relic of a different time, psychologically stuck in the 50s as the new generation of Boomers replaces him.

[@williamlehan4079]

Very interesting. People with different backgrounds and interests will pay attention to different details on the show. Most of the errors pointed out here are things I would never have noticed on my own; however, it makes sense to me now that a higher waist and thicker suit cloth would have added to the authenticity.

[@machazychaz]

7:48 i know were supposed to look at the shirt but wow that facial expression :'DD

[@cafe.cedarbeard]

Wow, I honor your details, dapper hippie is as close as I get to sharp dressed man. That being said, the pocket squares; they got the symbols in that really vivid as in the straight line ones are more common and muggle like, where the ones with the red and the white crown patterns are more, as you say eccentric, as those more individuated in the mass of common folk tend to appear.

[@cafe.cedarbeard]

High five! I took on bicycle as main transport 13 years ago, and just got it back after a winter and spring trapped in walking speed, no worries.

[@BillyT531]

Loved this show! Generally, I think they got it right. I remember the Madras sport coats popular in 1965-1966 and they had that spot on. Don Draper was the MAN! Right up there with James Bond in my book.

[@HartponderJr]

Well done, very interesting on how to “see” the details.

[@martinmlakar123]

Hello, could you do the same to the suits of the series Hannibal? Would love to see your comment on the outrageous colours and tie knots used by Hannibal in that series.

[@tatlertom3090]

i loved the show. when i was watching -- i did note the Rolex watch of Don. It didn't feel right to me. I didn't pursue it, though. What a weird thing to get wrong -- so obvious. Thanks for pointing it out.

[@admiraljohnsten1235]

That was a great review, I enjoyed that thoroughly. You guys should review BBC/ITV Endeavour for its 60s fashion!

[@Theo-ul8qm]

Very in-depth analysis, reslly enjoyed it! I'm not so sure, though, that it's not period accurate to have Don Draper, Pete Campbell, and even Roger Sterling wear off the rack jackets with faux buttons on the sleeves and in lighter fabrics. To my knowledge, the '60s is when synthetic fibres exoded jn popularity, so it's fair to assume that none of them would have worn 100% wool suits. Thia would make the fabric lighter. Also, though I'm not an expert on this, the emphasis on convenience has always seemed to be a cornerstone of American style. Therefore, I can easily imagine men in the '60s preferring off the rack suits, even if they had the money to buy custom. Maybe not Roger, as he's older, but definitely Don and Pete.

[@PH-qi4ho]

Actually the Rolex Explorer I has been introduced in the 50's. Hard to tell which reference he is wearing exactly, but I would not call it plain wrong, considering the Explorer barely changed it's silouette until the 2000's.

[@alicjaszewczyk7673]

Maybe Broadwalk Empire next?

[@danielpriore6243]

A lot of the comments about Don's suits, particularly the fit and materials, are based on very early episodes, including the pilot. It's probable that the budget wasn't there yet to address those details. I'd be curious how his later season suits stack up once the show was a hit and had more money to throw around.

[@cob9834]

I loved the sweat that you were wearing on your head what are you worked out on your exercise bike, in your suit.

[@Ashfielder]

Sterling is my life coach.

[@christiantava442]

Loved that Plein Soleil reference, thought the same.

[@davidsiler5505]

The most recent video of GG I've ever seen.

[@MsCnote1984]

I would have liked to have seen more of Sal's wardrobe in this video.

[@spartanfalanx]

Frank sinatra also wore a belt with waistcoats sometimes. (just look at "style" from robin and the seven hoods as an example)

[@felixdittrich5469]

It still looks super odd. Sinatra could pull it off because he was and still is a classic mens style icon.

[@spartanfalanx]

@Selim Mašić possibly, but it is true that in many of the films in old Hollywood, actors wore their own clothes. Also, you'd expect that if wearing a belt with a waistcoat was such a faux pas, someone who designs outfits for a living, like the costume designer, would know about that and not choose to have the character dress "wrongly" while he sings a song about how to dress well. At least... that's how i think about it...

[@spartanfalanx]

@Selim Mašić I'm not sure what you mean... But all i'm trying to say is that I think wearing a belt with a waistcoat is not universally wrong. I think some people can pull it off in certain outfits. Some people may or may not like it, but to me that's just personal preference. I don't wear belts with my waistcoats myself in 99% of the cases. But to say that it is universally wrong... that feels a little harsh to me.

[@blakemcnamara9105]

I see that you don't like the abstract ties of the era. Personally, I think they're very cool and still look good with a formal business suit hence why I collect and wear them.

[@Lalondeist]

Another fun one, gents. I wonder if you'll look at popular brands for MTM; I, myself, just made a purchase with Indochino and love the way my jacket hangs. Thoughts?

[@Lalondeist]

Disregard! Just found your article about your experience. I still like the clothes, but I can see how your high standards compare.

[@jacobsinger97]

I like john hamm style so much 🙂☺

[@randelbrooks]

Yes, the pants needed to be cut much higher in the waste, and if you’re not going to wear suspenders, you have to have them taken in on the sides and in the back to help hold them up just like khaki uniform pants in the army.

[@Josh.Stovall]

Working for Saudi Aramco they still rock the corporate dress code of IBM in the 1950s-1960s. Black Tie, white shirt, black shoes and no room for personalization. Real boring, but you find that very wealthy firms and people for that matter are pretty basic.

[@MeMeDaVinci]

Ah, mom, why did you give away all dad's stuff after he died--without telling me?

[@ISCDesignArchitect]

Thankyou. your videos are excellent

[@cob9834]

I was born in the early 60s and I remember how my father clothing changed especially his Ties hey will you stop wearing his fedora.

[@paulmcgee1867]

Most shirts I remember had separate collars. Typically trousers had braces and in America quite short. In my opinion people in this industry would have had a number of people just a bit more flamboyant in their dress

[@the_9ent]

Please do The Marvellous Mrs Maisel next!

[@LiamS1947]

The fashion on that show is primarily for women, great show though!

[@Kenneth_H_Olsen]

The channel is fantastic . Do you want to make a lookover on the film The Sting 1973

[@rollingtones1]

When cars had 8 cylinders and 4 speeds, not the other way around.

[@sukhchainsingh1776]

Yeah but vtec is the best

[@simonr7097]

One interesting style cue is the rounded lapel notches that Draper often wears. I have never seen such notches other than on this show, so I guess they were a bit of a 60's fad?

[@Combner]

Ooooh, a hot take I see. Gotta say I was not expecting this.

[@msilverz]

You keep showing us the two-tone socks and saying that they're available in the shop, but I don't see them there. Am I not looking in the right place?

[@gentlemansgazette]

A bit of "forward thinking" on our part--stay tuned, as they'll be in the shop soon (along with other updates). Thanks for watching! - Preston

[@peggyolson6511]

This was very informative. I think Janie Bryant was more expert in the field of women's historical fashion, so I would guess there would be more accuracy there.

[@rcbuggies57]

At some point could you guys do an American Psycho fashion review or showcase. It might not be the bastion of style, but I think the aesthetics of the movie are incredibly cool.

[@davidpesekmuller3883]

Thb, looking at promo pictures and snapshots, Jon actually wears rather high rise, it's just his height & long torso doesn't make it look as such. Just look again at how long the fly of his pants is..

[@theplasticdesert2408]

For those who don’t know purple moon is the first film adaptation of the talented mr Ripley.

[@daves8255]

I totally disagree that nonworking cuff buttons is a gaff or anacronym. I've handled hundreds of vintage suits and, IME, even the finest bespoke American suits of that era rarely, if ever, had surgeon's cuffs. With American suits of this period, what separates OTR from MTM or bespoke suits in that regard is usually extremely high quality, handsewn faux buttonholes, as opposed to a machine stitched faux buttonhole, or no faux buttonhole at all.

[@luistellechea1370]

It would be awesome if he could do a suit breakdown for any of the John Wick films.🤙🏽