why trudy campbell is actually mad men's fashion cool girl (not megan!)
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 MNZ plaid skirts, Chelsea Mak taffeta blouses, Puppets and Puppets cookie purse (she would make Pete pick it up from Sak’s during lunch), Hannah Glenn hand bag for errands in Cos Cob, funky wool hats from Bagtazo.
Polka Dots
This is one of my favorite looks of the whole series. I love the dainty polka dots and
she’s looking very Breakfast at Tiffany’s here. And we see another hat from Trudy’s collection, which looks like a Wayne Thiebaud cake. It’s slightly bridal, marking the ceremoniousness of securing their apartment which would further cement her social status after getting married. Trudy is extremely ambitious and it’s reflected in her attention-grabbing outfit for this particular moment. She is very involved in financial decisions, often pushing her husband to make them—unlike how the other wives are portrayed.
The 2024 version of this outfit would definitely be the sheer Miu Miu polka dot set. Trudy would fit right into the frazzled librarian aesthetic. Between the bow front detail and the Pantone peach fuzz blouse, this outfit ticks a lot of contemporary style boxes.
Ugly-Chic Green
This rotten avocado plaid set is so 1996 Prada Ugly Chic, which celebrated these “ugly” colors in a period when runway fashion’s version of sexy of revealing lots of skin. This color and style has endured since the 60s, which makes it pretty thriftable online. You can find vintage mod dresses or contemporary Ganni plaid pieces. A Miu Miu 1999 ponyhair bag utilizes this ugly green shade too. Modern Trudy would accessorize with a frivolous hat from Clyde or Bagtazo and some martini olive earrings off Etsy.
Sailor Silhouettes
Nautical fashion is having a moment (see Vaquera) and I loved Trudy’s casual resortwear looks. On the left she wears a baby blue boatneck top, crisp and simple in its elegance with loose white pants. Very Jackie O. The tiny straw bag and bold printed headscarf give it some of Trudy’s sassy personality. It looks comfortable and modern, you could see a woman of any age in 2024 wearing this. I also loved the soft pink sailor collar dress with the red lip.
I think the best modern interpretations of nautical fashion are the pinstripe blouses and sailor caps from Local Woman Co. and everything from Ciao Lucia’s summer collection.
Fabulous Sleepwear
If there’s one thing Trudy loves, it’s a ruffled babydoll pajama dress. Her sleepwear collection comes in candy colors and sugary sweet designs. I think Trudy’s fanciful babydolls speak to the way she views herself as a princess. She is 100% a daddy’s girl, and while she is being mistreated and lied to by Pete in their marraige she sort of maintains this strong identity where deep down—she knows she deserves better. And when we see Trudy’s final straw, she takes Pete apart with steely incisiveness.
Trudy would be a Molly Goddard mom in present day and wear them over baggy jeans.
Who is your favorite Mad Men style icon and why?
