You would think that Mad Men and Sherlock Holmes have nothing to do with each other.
Well, they do. [have nothing to do with each other, for those who don’t follow double-negatives]
Excepting that they are both period-based media expressions, Mad Men and Sherlock Holmes seem to have no overlapping features (other than the “intelligent, rogueish white male protagonist whose inquisitive nature and depressive, ‘outsider’ personality make him the perfect problem solver”-shtick, quite typical to most pop culture revivals and formulations in the post-civil rights era. But I digress).
I also don’t know much about Sherlock Holmes, other than what I have described above. He is more or less a classy, British Inspector Gadget, with, surprise, lots of gadgets and scientific tricks to help him out (I really don’t know much about him, see Digression above and “Inspector Gadget” Reference that is blatantly non-chronological). Downey Jr. has been a recent incarnation, but more importantly, so has Benedict Cumberpatch, of BBC Sherlock fame.
(Here is a photo of Benedict Cumberpatch with a fabulous throw pillow.)
What is important to note about all recent incarnations of Sherlock Holmes is that his character, more or less, is always about layering. Shirts with vests complete with sweaters, blazers, scarves, hats, gloves, etc. Though Sherlock inherently gives off a feel of layering that is more akin to winter (due to the cold weather generally had in London), I think that feeling Sherlock means embracing the ability to layer, and that means embracing the fall weather.
So what in the Doyle (zing) does Sherlock have to do with Mad Men? Well, doesn’t Mad Men have to do with everything? (I mean, it’s my only constant reality.)
More likely, though, I feel that Mad Men has great representations of autumn in New England/Mid-Atlantic New York (Ossening), as well as in Manhattan. The Northeast US is wonderful in fall; the colors and smells cannot be matched, and the brisk wind that picks up speed between Manhattan’s many chute-like avenues is unmistakable.
The character’s costumes in the fall do a lot of work in recreating this feeling, most particularly for me in the Season Two finale, “Meditations in an Emergency.” Don has finally returned from the carefree, bright and warm West Coast, leaving Pasadena in September for Poughkeepsie in late October. The change of scenery shows the length of time that Don has been away, moving the plot along, but it also shows his transformation in facing his guilt against Betty. The turning over of the leaves is very cathartic for Don, who apologizes for being “disrespectful,” and not much else. Meanwhile, Betty continues onward, unchanged by turnover in weather, life having been more or less the same with our without Don around (and also, with a new child on the way). Betty’s continues riding shows her limited solace and escape from the home.
The costuming between these two could not be more beautiful and more layered, much like the scene itself.
What I like about the riding wear, which also ties into the Sherlock-ness, is its inherent Britishness and formality. Riding wear involves tailored coats, pants, and fabulous riding boots that can flatter any body type, if done correctly. Though prim and proper, it allows for a flattering silhouette with a high drawn in waist and proportionally hourglass shoulders and hips.
Further, the light tans and creams can be easily flattered with a pop of fall color, including chartreusey greens, vibrant reds, orange, and yellows, as well as deeper browns and rust shades. Don, pictured above, very much looks like a man of mystery on the case.
Above, Don is pictured as gratuitously handsome.
For this post’s styleboard, I’ve taken my inspirations from these shots above, and also the patterns and feel of Sherlock Holmes.
1. Burgundy, fitted trousers.
2. Check patterned blazer.
3. Chained loafers.
4. Oxford flats.
5. Tassel purse.
6. Olive green rain-trench.
7. Cream sleeveless blouse.
8. Wool patterned blazer.
9. Fitted camel colored pants.
10. Houndstooth blouse.
I hope you enjoy, gumshoes (Carmen San Diego post coming soon)!
a mad man on the run 
