Want to Party Mad Men Style at Scottish Rite Theater?

Mad Men lead character, Donald Draper

Do the words Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (SCDP) mean anything to you? If so, you’re probably as obsessed as we are with AMC’s TV series Mad Men. The culture, characters, and fashion of Madison Avenue in the 1960’s shine in this award-winning drama.

And we aren’t the only ones who think so. There’s a reason this show is the only basic cable show in history to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series.

The boys at SCDP would never settle with only one win of a prestigious award like this, so they repeated the achievement four years in a row. The Emmy for Outstanding Drama series was earned by Mad Men from 2008-2011. The show concluded its 5th Season in June of 2012 and has been renewed for a sixth.

Q: Wait, is the Austinot turning into a TV review blog?

A: No, why ever would we do that?

Q: Okay, so what does the show Mad Men have to do with Austin?

A: Everything, my friend. Well, at least on January 18th.

It’s time to get all Madison Avenue’d up – in the name of community, philanthropy and leadership in Austin… and we hope you’ll join us.

Mad Men Style Party Coming to Austin: Mad Style Winter Soiree

Austin’s Scottish Rite Theater, the oldest theater in the city

If you’ve ever watched the show and dreamed of dressing up as your favorite Mad Men character and going to a full blown Mad Men themed event, we have one for you. Break out your miniskirts, moon boots, suits and shades because it’s time to party.

The Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with NSIDE Magazine to put on the Mad Style Winter Soiree at the Scottish Rite Theater (207 West 18th Street). The Scottish Rite Theater is the oldest theater in Austin, and there will be an open bar, complimentary food, silent auction, high roller casino room and so much more.

Advance ticket sales will save you $10 per ticket, so purchase your tickets now.

The Austinot crew will be there, decked to the nines, and we hope you will be too. Come hang out with Brittany and me on Friday, January 18th at 7:00 PM, as we join with past and present leaders of the Austin community in Madison Avenue 60’s style.

Don’t know what to wear? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

What to Wear to the Mad Style Winter Soiree

Mad Men ladies

The easiest thing to do is take a look at photos from the series or watch an episode or two of Mad Men. You’ll quickly see how stylish unique the era was, and why this party is going to be so much fun.

Everyone will be going all out with hair, makeup and the most stylish Madison Avenue 60’s attire they can put together, so don’t be left out.

If you don’t have time to watch the show and need some quick tips for men and women’s outfits, we’ve done the homework for you.

Women

1960s hairstyles from a magazine ad

For the flirts: break out the miniskirt and moon boots. Babydoll dresses with bell sleeves would be ideal. For accessories, giant plastic earrings are a must. For makeup: nude color lipstick, heavy mascara, even false lashes are perfect. Black liquid eyeliner in a cat’s eye style is the trend with this look.

For the seductive Madison Avenue secretary look: go with a pencil skirt and blouse that accentuates your curves. You’ll never go wrong with a “Joan-style,” form fitting red dress either. For the hair, an updo is the way to go. Makeup calls for bright blush, bright red nail polish, bright red lipstick and a full compliment of eye makeup. For your accessories, make sure you wear your stilettos and carry a small black purse. If you really want to go all out, get yourself a necklace that holds a pen, and let it dangle just below chest height.

Ladies, the trick is that YOU have to feel good in whatever you are wearing to the Mad Style Soiree. It’s all about your attitude and the way you carry yourself. So go for the most stylish thing you can pull off, but make sure you’ll be happy with your selection all night long.

Men

Men kept it pretty simple on Madison Avenue. Believe it or not, their look was almost drab. So let the ladies shine, but come prepared to earn accounts. Here are some tips that will have you closing for SCDP in no time…

Slicked back hair and dapper suits

For the Madison Avenue advertising pro look: keep your suits neutral colored – black, gray and brown. Keep your ties thin if patterned and wide if striped. A wool coat with a scarf is a nice touch if you happen to have one. A wide-brimmed fedora is always a classic, but be sure to take it off when you enter the building and put it on immediately when stepping outside. Some fake candy cigarettes might be a good call. And if you want to be really adventurous, make yourself up some Madison Avenue business cards to take to the function.

There you have it, folks. The don’t-miss party for January in Austin. See you there!

@EricHighland asks:

Do you liked themed parties like this one? Are you more apt to go or not go when you know a party is themed?

Photos via Flickr CC, courtesy of Andreas Ekman, amira_a, Charlie Walker, Steve Garfield, genibee and ljlphotography.