Mad Men Brands A Brooks Brothers Line

Ever since the television was invented, generations young and old have identified with the characters they see, both in personality and style of dress. AMC's cult hit Mad Men has garnered a ton of buzz for inspiring just that.

AMC now hopes to capitalize on its show's growing popularity, teaming up with Brooks Brothers on a limited-edition collection. The first piece to be launched, a suit imagined to be something Don Draper would wear on the show, costs $998. Soon to follow are "rear-enhancing sheaths" for the female set, evening gowns, men's accessories, and officewear.

One wonders whether this kind of branding for a TV show will be successful. The show's diehard fans, who tend to be youthful hipsters rather than masters of the universe, may enjoy playing 60's ad executives (or the women who love them too much) for a theme party, or buying Mad Men-wear from Banana Republic. But are they willing to pay the price to dress up like them for real?

British GQ's Robert Johnston sees the line's popularity as limited to the US. He told the Independent:

I think it will work better in America because Americans are more easily led than we are, and feel more confident with a label, whereas the British are more anarchic. A certain British man would be embarrassed to wear something from a TV show.

Whatever the men over the pond think, this venture is far more literal than the “Dress Like Your Favorite Celebrity” newsletters we all (well, some of us) receive in our inboxes. After recent runway shows, it can be said that the curve-hugging (for the ladies), classic (for the gentlemen) style of the '50s is back with a vengeance. So, will you splurge for what may be a momentary pop culture trend, or jump to purchase styles that will probably be seen again in ten years?