Banana Republic launches a ‘Mad Men’-inspired collection

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‘Mad Men’ continues to make its mark on the fashion industry. Only this time, the homage is on a more mass scale than the runway odes we’ve seen over the past few years (see Michael Kors’ fall 2008 collection).

Banana Republic has partnered with ‘Mad Men’ costume designer Janie Bryant on a limited-edition collection for men and women inspired by the AMC show — launching online and in stores Aug. 11.

The capsule collection, which features around 65 pieces, offers an updated take on the buttoned-up looks of the 1960s. Meaning, the bullet bra-shaped sheaths and boxy men’s suits seen on the show have been softened into gently draped suiting, dresses and women’s separates that can seamlessly integrate into modern work wardrobes — but still maintain a little ‘60s flavor.

For men there are slim knit sweaters, tailored suit separates and fitted trousers, along with Don Draper-esque accessories including a money clip, cotton pocket squares, silk ties, tie bars and fedoras.

Women’s styles include a thigh-length trench coat, tailored dresses in solid hues and floral prints, high-waisted skirts, silk tie-neck blouses and the kinds of accessories we used to pilfer from Grandma: printed scarves, leopard-print heels, skinny belts and a multi-stranded pearl necklace. Prices range from $39.50 for a silk scarf to $450 for a men’s suit.

“Janie was instrumental in helping us achieve the series aesthetic and standard of authenticity with this capsule collection,’ said Banana Republic creative director Simon Kneen, ‘offering sketches, her own inspirations and actual artifacts from the production set to help inspire the ‘Mad Men’ within all of us.”

-- Emili Vesilind