1963 Fashion for Mad Men - Peggy Olson

Peggy, oh Peggy. From today's perspective, she sometimes frustrates me with her meek attitude, but the writers of Mad Men have it just right, since the feminist movement won't start for another 7 or 8 years.

Peggy Olson is a Copywriter at Sterling Cooper. Her style of dress is safe and often quite tenative. In the last season, Peggy seemed to gain some self-confidence and started wearing fitted sheath dresses, but always in neutral colors and classic patterns with high necklines. Above all, she does not want to stand out and call attention to herself.

Peggy is a bit behind the times fashion-wise, so it is difficult to find actual 1963 styles that she would wear. By rights, I should have been looking in fashion magazines from 1961 for her, but here are a few ideas about how she can update her look.

Peggy would feel comfortable in a sweater and skirt. This sweater has a suede front, which makes it less "sweater girl" in feel. It's demure enough for Peggy.

This high-necked A-line dress is a safe option for Peggy. She wouldn't have the confidence to wear the scarf, though.

This wool jumper worn over a blouse with a Peter Pan collar is an outfit that Peggy would certainly feel comfortable in. Less fitted through the waist, the shift dress is becoming very popular in 1963.

This semi-fitted shift dress with rolled collar and big buttons down the side is about as risky a fashion statement as Peggy might make. But every girl wanted to dress like Jackie Kennedy, and this dress is certainly in Jackie's style.

What would I like to see Peggy wear? How about wearing a matching jacket over a basic sheath dress to give the look of a suit? Will Peggy have enough self confidence this year to do so? We'll have to wait and see.