Yesterday, Gap Inc. announced that Banana Republic and Mad Men will be collaborating with each other once again. However, this year, it isn’t just about sending in photos to get a walk-on role. Banana Republic will also be teaming up with Mad Men costume designer, Janie Bryant for a capsule collection of vintage/Mad Men-inspired clothes. This limited, mini-collection will have over 60 pieces for both men and women and will be available in stores across Canada and the US starting August 11.
The pieces in this collection, which for women include pencil dresses, a-line skirts as well as cardigans, cropped pants and pumps. Men’s looks include trenches, jackets, ties as well as fedoras. Though there’s the vibe of the early to mid 1960s in the collection, it is still very true to the modern Banana Republic look. The pieces are all excellent additions to anyone’s fall wardrobe.
Which ones do I like the most? Definitely the pencil dress (pictured in the ad above), which would look amazing paired with pumps and opera gloves. To give that a more modern look, knee length boots would be pretty too. The cropped pants are not too bad, but unless they’re going to be available in petite sizes, it’s never going to “look cropped” on me.
There *IS* one piece of criticism about the collection, though. The clothes are very early-to-mid 1960s-inspired. For those who follow Mad Men, the previous season’s finale took place in 1965. By then, the fashion scene was truly beginning to change. Rather than sophisticated, grown-up looks, the “it” looks were evolving to more casual, youthful styles. Of course, the collection is more based on the first four seasons (and the target “grown up”), than the one set to premiere in early 2012.
The entire Banana Republic-Mad Men collection is available for viewing online at Fashionista.com.
Image courtesy of Banana Republic
