Mad Men. Covering the lives of the advertising men and women that thrived on Madison Avenue and featuring such stylish and sexy characters like the brilliant, charismatic Don Draper and enticing yet intimidating Joan Holloway, it's one of the coolest shows on TV and one of the best dramas of the last decade, enticing us to glimpse into the past, to a vintage world of impeccable fashion, feminism, dreams and drinks. For many of us, it gives us a hint at what we were missing, and leaves us just lusting to jump back into that cool, sophisticated world. Here are ten reasons why Mad Men makes us hanker for the swinging 60s.
10. Sip It With Style
Step into Don Draper's office, and he might offer to fix you a drink...unless your name's Pete Campbell. It's the swinging 60s, and Mad Men shows us that there's rarely a moment to go by without a drink in your hand. Good day at the office? Calls for a celebration. Bad day at the office? Best have a drink and get over it. Business lunch? Well, can't have one of those without a drink to wash it down. That meeting not go well? Best slip back into your stylish office and pour yourself a stiff one. But these are no ordinary drinks. They're so much classier, more sophisticated and serious than those cocktails served these days. No, Draper doesn't just pour out any old thing; he pours himself an Old Fashioned. Roger Sterling enjoys himself a White Russian, whilst Betty Draper might tip back a Gimlet rather than any cheap bottle of wine she could buy. Drinks like the Manhattan or Martini ooze style and suave, and show us that even the most rampant alcoholism came with just a touch of class, and a suit. For tips on how to class up your own drinking, read
Hannah Spencer's excellent article for some tips.