Rainwear Central Rainwear Forum

joe wrote: December 26th, 2022, 11:15 pm Mad Men distinguishes itself in the genre of series television by its fidelity to every aspect of life in the 1960’s for those employed in the field of advertising. Nothing escaped the attention of the production staff, cast and crew. That we have the pleasure of seeing so many of the cast of this episode, wearing raincoats is due to the attention being given, even to the actual weather that was happening at the time and setting of any given episode.

“Lady Lazarus” was set during the week in which October 21, 1966 fell. That date saw a rainfall of over 2 inches in Manhattan and its suburbs which fell throughout the day. In one scene, there are Halloween decorations hanging on the walls which underscore the date and the setting of the episode. Being a train spotter, I was particularly taken by the attention given to the interior of the New Haven Railroad commuter rail car, which I noticed in the advertising for the New Haven Railroad at the car end.

I know that many are attracted to Jessica Pare and her equally beautiful deep olive green vinyl Mac. But I also took note of the black London Fog Balmacaan raincoat worn by the character Pete Campbell as he came into the office and later took the train home through a steady persistent rain. As the scenes depict, so accurately, he was not out in the worst of the downpours that day, but he still managed to get his raincoat, quite wet. And this despite carrying and using umbrella. The sight of Pete in his wet black raincoat and of Don Draper - the main character - in an equally wet tan raincoat made me practically swoon.

I also note that in a previous season of Mad Men, the ad agency was going after the London Fog raincoat account. I know that the character of Peggy in the first episodes of the series wears a cloth raincoat with a matching rain hat typical of that being worn by high school girls in the 1940’s and 50’s. Naturally as Peggy begins her career as a secretary right out of high school, she wears her old school raincoat to underscore that she comes into her job new and inexperienced in every manner.

I have seen a still shot of Peggy much later in the series, and now having gained experience and several promotions, carries a London Fog Balmacaan raincoat in my favorite shade of oyster over her arm.

I should take the time to watch the entire series of Mad Men to see whenever raincoats are being worn by the cast. It happened frequently in the years depicted by Mad Men. A raincoat was virtually the daily outerwear of both men and women making their professional mark through most of the 1960s - even when it was not raining.

Joe

black_shiny wrote: December 26th, 2022, 11:53 pm That raincoat was great. Glad they did such amazing period appropriate details. Mad Men it self is awesome as I love the mid century era

rothbhoy wrote: December 27th, 2022, 12:47 pm

joe wrote: December 26th, 2022, 11:15 pm Mad Men distinguishes itself in the genre of series television by its fidelity to every aspect of life in the 1960’s for those employed in the field of advertising. Nothing escaped the attention of the production staff, cast and crew. That we have the pleasure of seeing so many of the cast of this episode, wearing raincoats is due to the attention being given, even to the actual weather that was happening at the time and setting of any given episode.

“Lady Lazarus” was set during the week in which October 21, 1966 fell. That date saw a rainfall of over 2 inches in Manhattan and its suburbs which fell throughout the day. In one scene, there are Halloween decorations hanging on the walls which underscore the date and the setting of the episode. Being a train spotter, I was particularly taken by the attention given to the interior of the New Haven Railroad commuter rail car, which I noticed in the advertising for the New Haven Railroad at the car end.

I know that many are attracted to Jessica Pare and her equally beautiful deep olive green vinyl Mac. But I also took note of the black London Fog Balmacaan raincoat worn by the character Pete Campbell as he came into the office and later took the train home through a steady persistent rain. As the scenes depict, so accurately, he was not out in the worst of the downpours that day, but he still managed to get his raincoat, quite wet. And this despite carrying and using umbrella. The sight of Pete in his wet black raincoat and of Don Draper - the main character - in an equally wet tan raincoat made me practically swoon.

I also note that in a previous season of Mad Men, the ad agency was going after the London Fog raincoat account. I know that the character of Peggy in the first episodes of the series wears a cloth raincoat with a matching rain hat typical of that being worn by high school girls in the 1940’s and 50’s. Naturally as Peggy begins her career as a secretary right out of high school, she wears her old school raincoat to underscore that she comes into her job new and inexperienced in every manner.

I have seen a still shot of Peggy much later in the series, and now having gained experience and several promotions, carries a London Fog Balmacaan raincoat in my favorite shade of oyster over her arm.

I should take the time to watch the entire series of Mad Men to see whenever raincoats are being worn by the cast. It happened frequently in the years depicted by Mad Men. A raincoat was virtually the daily outerwear of both men and women making their professional mark through most of the 1960s - even when it was not raining.

Joe

Thanks so much for this most informative post Joe - it's a very interesting read and a great insight into the programme. PS - I'll endeavour to take a look at additional episodes and see if I can find anything of interest....