Monday, February 23, 2009

But if he's planning to wear a tux

You must read Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant's thoughts on formal wear. Right now.

You might also enjoy reading what she has to say about the different (male) Mad Men characters and the contemporary menswear designers she favors.

Then please come back to give me your thoughts on guys with pinky rings.

(John Hamm and January Jones courtesy of AMC)

14 comments:

  1. Brilliant! I'm just beginning to understand this crazy world of menswear. Just as my fiance has never heard of a basque, I am lost when debating the merits of one, two or three button suits. This will be most helpful:)

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  2. I have no global expertise on pinky rings - only a personal piece of data. My father wears one. It's gold and sapphire signet ring. Sort of like this, http://www.georgianjewelry.com/items/show/10559, but with a completely plain band. The one he has now isn't the one he had when I was little. He lost that one. The one he has now his wife had made as a replacement. My father is a 3rd generation Harvard guy, a 6' 3" intellectual who seems to live in crewneck sweaters, a Democrat who wears his Obama t-shirt very very happily these days. The ring looks quite at home on him. He's almost 80, BTW. I am not sure what kind of fashion wisdom can be derived from this, but it's one data point. Hope it helps.

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  3. Mad men style = yum.

    Pinky rings = creepy.

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  4. Do not laugh at me. But I thought Mickey rocked his last night.

    I do.

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  5. Really? All the way to creepy?

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  6. LPC, maybe if you snuck me a photo of your dad we could prove em wrong ;)

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  7. Mickey's looked battery-powered. Thanks for the holler, ESB! Your Russian wedding photos rule.

    ~ Max

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  8. I didn't see Mickey's but My Boy wears a ring on his little finger. I like it.

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  9. Hmm. *considering how to do that without revealing his identity and therefore being banned from ever speaking to the dear man again*

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  10. Been planning a post on the history of men's formalwear this month. The origin of the dinner jacket is one area I'm covering and Mad Men is a real inspiration for finding answers. Have always thought the costuming on the series is tops. In fact, I can't wait for the new season

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  11. Dude yes. Own a tux if you are going to wear a tux.

    3 buttons = not hot (unless you are 6'5") I live with a clothes horse.

    Micky gets an exception on the ring. Other people DO NOT.

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  12. my personal friend has a signet ring... it's not a pinky ring, though. it's tasteful and classy. men can't wear much jewelry, so why not allow them this one little bit of sparkle? lord knows that no one wears watches anymore...

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  13. Engineers wear iron rings on their pinky fingers. At least in Canada. It's shrouded in secrecy and ceremony. It's a symbol of something related to responsibility to humanity through the safety and meticulous nature of their work; though I don't really know because I have not an engineering degree.

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