The Camelot Years

I have immersed myself in the Mad Men marathon.  For those of 

you who have never watched the show, it covers the lives of 

advertising executives, their secretaries, and their families during

the early 1960's and culminating in the 1970's.  It was the era of 

social, racial and sexual change.  Women were pushing their way

through the glass ceiling. Yet at the same time it was an era of

fantasy.  The age of Camelot.  

The Kennedy's were in the White House.  Jack and Jackie were

the beautiful young couple who seemed to be cast by some

Hollywood producers.  Jackie redecorated the White House by

restoring historic furnishings.  Americans were treated to a tour

of those changes and many American women strived to bring 

that same sense of elegance into their own homes.

  

Jackie's fashion style was copied.  Her boxy jackets and pill box hats were 

finding their way into the closets of American women.  This jacket was from

my Mom's favorite suit.  She kept it all these years.  She had a little leopard

pillbox hat to match.  I have both now.  

Three quarter length sleeves were so popular.  My Mom's full length

mink had them.  She told me not long before she died that she regretted

the sleeve length on her coat.  Women wore furs back then.  It was a

different time.  I have kept the coat, but doubt I will ever wear it

as I don't feel good about wearing real fur.

As I am watching this Mad Men marathon I realize how much

my parent's era was that era of Camelot.  Betty Draper looks

like old photos of my Mom.  Blonde, pretty, perfect hair and nails.

Always perfectly dressed.  The only difference is my Mom 

didn't smoke.

It was an era when image was everything and the Mad Men

series brought all of that era to life through the world of

advertising.  Advertising ~ the profession of smoke and 

mirrors.  Hidden truths that would not be buried much

longer and would shatter the charade as the decade of

the 60's evolved.  For a few days until the series finale on

Sunday, I will be enjoying the images of that bygone era.

The clothes, the design, the scenes from offices and 

New York City restaurants.  An era reminiscent of my

own parents.  So stylish and chic.

In the words of Alan Jay Lerner from the musical

Camelot:

In short, there's simply not

A more congenial spot

For happy -ever-aftering than here

In Camelot

If you would like to watch Jacqueline Kennedy's 

White House Tour click onto this link.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley