why trudy campbell is actually mad men's fashion cool girl (not megan!)
she's so puppets and puppets coded.
I finished a rewatch of the entire Mad Men series last night—all 73 hours.
The first time I watched it, I was in college and didn’t remember much except that it made me want to shop on Modcloth for a Sterling Cooper secretary miniskirt. But it hits differently now as an adult woman who is no longer a stranger to the realities of workplace politics and twin demons Social Media and Consumerism.
Mad Men is incredibly well-written. And it feels more relevant than ever as we struggle through a world where everyone is a brand and everything is corrupted by dopamine culture. The story focuses on the architects of postwar consumerism and how they created America’s new religion: buying stuff. I felt myself nodding along, mesmerized by scenes where Don and Peggy sell us the fantasy of fast food and nylon stockings. A commercial for Heinz Beans feel seductive and romantic compared to the yappy ads I see nowadays for the “viral TikTok serum you NEED.” The show tracks how the countercultural movement emerged in rejection to mass consumerism, but was ultimately weaponized by the ad machine to sell more things. Cue the final scene where hippies are singing for world peace with Coke bottles in hand.
The other mesmerizing thing about Mad Men? The fashion.
I am truly amazed at how they were able to source so many looks, while chronicling the evolution of styles from the late 50s to early 70s. The show is famous for its excellent costume design. Megan, Don’s second wife/Manhattan secretary-turned-Laurel Canyon actress, is often portrayed as the most stylish character. She represents the modern 60s woman and consistently flaunted the trendiest styles during the show.
But I actually think Trudy Campbell, Pete’s charismatic and ambitious wife, deserves the title of Mad Men’s reigning fashion cool girl. I have a soft spot for her character, who was much smarter than her husband or others gave her credit for. While Megan’s outfits would be considered super trendy for her time, Trudy’s style has more timeless appeal—it’s easier to interpret beyond the 60s. Her outfits feel very reminiscent of contemporary brands and styles I would wear myself.
Let’s analyze how Trudy’s style reflects her character’s growth, and how I think she would dress in 2024.
“Lady” Clothes and Ridiculous Hats
At first I thought Trudy’s bag was a trompe l’oeil where the gloves were the clasp (like a flap sewn on), but now I realize it’s just how she draped her gloves on the bag. Even in her “lady” clothes, she enjoys the theatrics of style with the bon bon-esque hat and earrings that match the brassy buttons on her jacket. Trudy always understood how her presentation as a wife was instrumental to Pete’s professional success.
In 2024, I see Trudy dressing in