5 Thrifty Things: Mad Men Looks for Less

Sex, cigarettes, and swagger: Mad Men's got it all, and we're absolutely smitten with the fourth season of the show already. So smitten, in fact, we've decided that if we can't bring Don Draper or Roger Sterling home, we can at least emulate some more of their dapper style.

It's no secret that the Shoestring team is completely obsessed with vintage, so it should come as no surprise that we're still obsessed with the Mad Men-inspired return of structured, tailored dressing even after three seasons. And in Season 4, it's less about the '50s and more about the 60s, with pastels giving way to earth tones and Kodachrome.

Some old, some new, these budget-friendly pieces offer an easy way to channel your favorite Mad Men cast member in a few clicks — be that Joan, Betty, Peggy, Joey, Don, Roger, even Don's new blind date — into your closet without looking costume-y. Get shopping!

FOR HER

Plaid Harvest Blouse ($28, Thrush Vintage on Etsy)
We're pretty much in love with everything in this expansive Denver-based vintage shop, and — lucky for you — there's tons to choose from, even if each item only has one in stock. The selection changes daily, so shop often for the best picks in period pieces.

Pins and Needles High-Waisted Skirt ($58, Urban Outfitters)
Sure, you could probably find similar skirts for a third of the price at Goodwill, but we love the modern touches (like pockets) to the design of this vintage-inspired skirt, plus the added bonus of not having to hunt between pleats for hidden stains. It also comes in black.

Scene Style Necklace ($14, ModCloth)
The women at Sterling Cooper Draper Price are no longer simple secretaries, they've got power, influence, and offices of their own to prove it. We love the idea of Peggy or Joan sporting this cheeky necklace as a trophy of sorts for their hard-won equal start-up status.

FOR HIM

Leather "Brogue" Shoes ($68, Urban Outfitters)
Timeless and traditionally elegant, these Oxfords get the job done in the style department without setting you back a cable bill. Made of 100% leather and sold at a fraction of the price of similar pairs in men's suiting shops.

Handmade Skinny Silk Tie ($17.95, Rabbit Stop on Etsy)
Quintessential Don, this skinny silk tie in shades of blue seamlessly pulls off that blue-with-black suiting look and stays classic (and classy) while sating vintage lovers and hipsters alike. Plus, it's under $20!

Drumohr Cotton Sweater Vest ($30, Yoox.com)
Joey is easily our favorite new addition to the team at Sterling Cooper Draper Price, with his cheeky banter and his more relaxed, youthful office attire, signaling a changing of the guard in the costume department. "John! Marsha!"

Story: Copyright 2010, Shoestring LLC. Images: Courtesy of Thrush Vintage, Urban Outfitters, Rabbit Stop, Yoox.com.