Fashion Forward Fridays: Inspired by Mad Men

Happy Friday! For today's Fashion Forward Fridays I decided to create looks based on one of my favorite TV shows, Mad Men. I did get my Master's in advertising and PR after all, I think it would be a sin not to love Mad Men, it was practically written into my coursework haha So here are three modern day looks inspired by the leading ladies of this great show, all of which I made on Polyvore.

First up, is Peggy Olson, who is played by Elisabeth Moss. Peggy starts out as Don Draper's (Jon Hamm) secretary and moves up to a copywriter. She seems very serious and Don is the creative director and a junior partner (eventually becoming partner) at Sterling Cooper, an ad agency. Peggy is a hard worker and probably the most straight-laced out of all the ladies. Think, lots of peter pan collars and patterns if you're going for a look like hers. I'd also imagine the modern-day Peggy would have copies of her resume on her at all times, so a bag that would be able to hold a folder nicely is a must.

Next is Betty Francis (formerly Draper) who is portrayed by January Jones. Betty is Don's ex-wife and the mother to his three children and looks the classiest of all the ladies. And while I don't know any stay-at-home moms who don't actually like their children and who would sit around the house in pearls, drinking wine and reading magazines all day, that's what I imagine the modern-day Betty would do. Looking classy is important to this woman, though she doesn't always act classy.

Finally, Joan Holloway (later Harris) played by Christina Hendricks. I love Christina and she is flawless in this character, who is the office manager and the head of the secretarial pool at Sterling Cooper. Joan is often pushing the boundaries of work appropriate attire and always looks powerful. I think her character is the most fashion forward of all the ladies on the show and she has mega sex appeal in anything she wears. But a bright lipstick is a must...as well as a fabulous up-do. Joan knows what she wants and just how to get it so if you're going to do a modern day version of her look, don't forget to take your ego and some extra confidence with you that day!

Which Mad Men lady are you most like? Which outfit most inspires you?

Fashion Forward Fridays: Wearing Pastels

Happy Friday, everyone! I just want to take a minute to thank you all for your response to yesterday's post. All of your comments and emails have just made me so happy. I wasn't looking for compliments with that post, I just wanted to spread the word, but your responses just made my heart smile and I wish I could just give you each a hug. Thank you.

Now onto the fashion! For this installment of Fashion Forward Fridays, I created three boards in Polyvore focused on my favorite trend right now...pastels. I can feel spring is just around the corner, even if there is still snow on the ground here and the start of spring reminds me of pastel colors so I created some looks based on that. Since I'm not a huge fan of floral, I'm very specific about what kinds of it I like, spring is usually a hard time for me to be buying clothes because it seems like everything has a flower on it. "Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking." So I'm hoping that this year more places bring out pastels, also not very groundbreaking but a girl can dream about a solid, right?

Thank you, Miranda Priestly. Gif from Besty Transatlantically.

This first look was created for work wear. I usually shy away from the match-matchy, but I couldn't pass up the purse or the dress, so I just put them in the same set. If you're at work you're not holding your bag all day anyway so it's okay. I like how Mad Men-esque this look is, I'm all about that for the office. Let me rephrase, I'm all about the Mad Men fashion for the office...not the way the women are treated. Had to be clear there!

This next look is for a night out and is almost showing off the Pantone Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid! Almost. I'm not a huge fan of purple, but this shade isn't bad! I love a structured look for a night out, very tough while still being sexy. All the pieces in this look are too expensive, but I wish I had them all in my closet.

The final look is the one I think I will see most often. You all know my love for colored denim so I had to throw these into the mix. I cannot wait to pull out my salmon skinny jeans so these bubblegum ones have me swooning! You will more than likely see a future Chels Wears post with me wearing something very similar to this look, I love it!

Which way would you wear pastels? Or are you a floral lover for Spring?

Remember to Spring ahead with your clocks on Sunday!