The Men at Underbrand don’t don the snappy Brooks Brother suits and ties. They dress in a more casual style that is favoured by the creative of today. Though, their idea of casual equals designer jeans, handsome leather shoes and a custom-made shirts from the super stylish cloakroom. In winter they might complete their look with a perfectly fitted blazer. I think if Don Draper was around today, he’d probably dress the in a similar fashion.
Mad Men is set in a time where the technology of the world seems to be rapidly changing. Television has just come into the mix allowing for a new avenue to promote Sterling Cooper’s clients.
Underbrand lives in a modern time where the web is also technically changing – and rapidly at that. It seems like every day the Underbrand men discover a new social media site or web application to promote our clients products.
These are common themes that rear their ugly heads throughout the series. Thankfully the Men of Underbrand do not have these qualities and I, do not have to worry about being paid equally like copywriter Peggy Olsen has been.
At Sterling Cooper you see the men throwing down top shelf whiskeys and bourbons all day, every day. That’s not something that the menfolk of Underbrand are into because in real life that amount of drink would render anyone useless. Instead, they leave their work drinking to the end of the week when they hold ‘Old Fashioned Fridays’.
On Friday, they make and drink a cocktail aptly named the Old Fashioned. It originates from New York, and was even featured in an episode of Mad Men. For the ladies they make sure the fridge is stocked well with Champagne. Although it might be time to review the glassware as they serve the champagne in flutes not saucers.
Author: Christine Bridge
