Betty Draper.
Love her or hate her, this lady is all class. Upper middle class that is. With her typical mid century family home, smiling children and perfect pin curls, it is easy to forget that Betty is only in her twenties. If you’ve decided the Betty look is for you, there are a few important points to remember. Betty is a lady. She doesn’t do short and tight, she doesn’t do heavy make up, and she certainly doesn’t do comfort casual the way we see it today.
Of all the Mad Men ladies, Betty is the one we get to see in the most diverse scenarios. There is Bedroom Betty, Weekend Betty, Cocktail Betty, Sporting Betty, and the list goes on. It can be difficult then to choose a single “Betty” outfit; but just like Joan, Betty has her signature pieces that carry through from one look to the next.
*Set Hair
Betty is no wash and wear girl. You may see the odd disheveled moment during a state of mental collapse, but you’ll never see a messy pony tail or ‘natural’ wave. Betty takes the time to have her hair set every week, and in between times pin curls her own ends to make them sit just so. That wave at the side is no accident, created instead by applying setting lotion and clips in just the right manner. When riding or out on the town, even Betty’s up do’s have a swept back, sculptural quality to them. Not a hair is out of place as it is swept back off her face and neatly French rolled in the back. On her more casual days, you’ll see her utilise an Alice band to keep her curls out of her face and give her a more youthful, and less domestic authoritarian look.
*Small button earrings
Betty keeps her jewellery choices very demure by day, opting only for the more dramatic when dining with Don’s clients. More often than not seen in pearl studs, Betty’s choice of earring is understated and indicative of her social class. It helps that being a mother requires a more sensible choice for day, as large, gaudy or heavy earrings don’t have a place around little hands.
*Nipped in Waist
Like almost all the female characters in the show, Betty’s look relies heavily on accentuating her waist. Unlike Joan Holloway, Betty’s look is more “Dior New Look”, with the nipped in waist and wide, full skirt. It is indicative of an earlier era, and comes with an innate sense of leisure; as office work, housework or pretty much any kind of work was not performed in these confections.
While on the topic of Betty’s shape, there are another two key pieces you will need to accurately re-create her look. I say this because just throwing on a full skirted dress and calling it a “Betty” will not do. You will need a shaped Bullet bra to create those high, pointed bosoms. It may seem a little extreme, but it is the best way to get that sculptured chest shape and not be in danger of revealing too much of what is going on underneath. There was no high beam looks in these days unless you were reading a men’s magazine! Secondly you will need a crinoline. A full skirt alone is not enough to pull off this look. You need the added volume and swish of layers of tulle to bring it to life; and believe me, half the fun is in the petticote with these outfits.
*Soft Feminine Makeup
Betty’s face, even when heading out on the town, is always softly made up. There is no harsh eye makeup, no false lashes, no overly rouged cheeks. It is one thing to say this but another to do, so yes, there will be a tutorial coming to help you achieve this look.
*Fine Weight Jewellery
Even when out of the town you’ll see that Betty doesn’t drown herself in jewels. If she does choose a signature piece, it will be only one, not the matching necklace, earrings, bracelets and cocktail ring. Day to day Betty might be seen in a fine bracelet or the occasional “wealthy housewife” necklace, but no super sized brooches, rings or bangles. As a rule the everyday look consists of only the pearl stud earrings and a fine, round faced, gold watch.
*Mid Height Pumps
Betty is no vixen. She’s not working the crowd or husband hunting, so she has no need to wear sky scraping heels. Instead opt for mid heel pumps, not too low or risk looking dowdy, in muted neutral tones.
*Layers
This is one of the main keys to Betty’s look that so many people seem to overlook. Betty always has layers to her outfits. Even on the hot days in sleeveless dresses, she is still wearing slips or crinolines (as anything else would have been unacceptable at the time), and always has a cardigan on hand for those chilly evenings. Each of Betty’s looks has an accompanying layer piece. A scarf, trench, wrap, cardigan, shawl or even a bed jacket. A lady is always prepared and it seems that Betty is ready for any eventuality.
*Matching Lips & Nails
Just like the pearl earrings, Betty’s choice of matching lips and nails is another subtle indicator of her lady like status. She is adhering to a more old school rule of what is elegant, rather than following emerging trends which would categorize her as an entirely different type of woman. Stick to a red or rose palette, and find the shade that suits you best to create your own signature look. Stay away from the darker vampy shades, which although might sound like the perfect evening outfit accompaniment, would never be seen on Betty as a happily married woman even during cocktail hour.
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*** Coming up – Betty’s Makeup. Another Super Kawaii Mama tutorial ***
If you can’t get enough of Betty you can even read her blog here.
Eat chocolate to my hearts content and not put on a pound. Okay – this one might have to go onto the highly unlikely list.
