Mad Men Returns But The Fashion Goes From Fab To Fail

Mad Men is back and things have taken a turn for the psychedelic.

Don Draper and crew return to our screens tonight for the seventh and final season of the hit US show that rekindled our love for pencil skirts, teased hair and men in sharp suits.

Starting back in 1960, the show has faithfully documented the styles, cultures and countercultures of one of the most influential decades in modern history.

The ad men at Sterling Cooper (Draper Pryce, or just Draper depending on how far you've got) have watched Kennedy get elected, assassinated, The Beatles take over the world and the start of the Vietnam War as well as the civil rights movement and the birth of the flower power movement.

But what none of us was prepared for was the inevitable - the 70s.

[What's happened to Pete Campbell's hairline?]

[Who Wore It Best: Christina Hendricks vs Kim Kardashian]

As season seven kicks off in 1969, the colours get brighter, the sideburns get bigger and you can practically hear the polyester.

To mark this momentous occasion, the fashion team at Yahoo Lifestyle have documented the highs and lows of the Mad Men style over the Swinging Sixties.

Things didn't get off to a flying start in the style stakes back in 1960. In fact, the offices at Sterling Cooper were down right drab.

Thank goodness for Ms Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks), lighting up the hallways with her razor sharp tongue and those gorgeous form-fitting dresses that had us all trying to nail that hourglass silhouette.

Poor Peggy Olsen (Elisabeth Moss) couldn't match up to Joan's sex bomb appeal in the office with that outfit.

Then there was Betty Draper (January Jones) who practically invented Desperate Housewife chic. Cute shirts, full A-line Skirts and impeccable soft waves were her trademarks. If only our hair looked that perfect when we were depressed.

Their marriage might have been fraught with infidelity but you have to admit, the Drapers scrubbed up well. Don's (Jon Hamm) pretty much the only guy apart front James Bond who can pull off a white tuxedo.

By season four, the whole team at SCDP had hit their stride. Seriously, imagine if your work Christmas party looked this suave.

Roger Sterling (John Slattery) had totally nailed the whole rich, older powerful man schmooze and even Peggy had unearthed her sassy side.

But now the 70s are knocking at the door and we can run from the dodgy fashion no longer.

Gone are the simple suits, tie pins and pockets squares. In their place we have double-breasted sport jackets, checked trousers and silk cravats. It's bye bye brogues, hello Cuban heels.

Let's just take a moment to appreciate what's going on in this picture.

Questionable sideburns? Check.

Extremely creepy facial hair? Check.

Bolo ties and fringe jackets? Check.

Harry Crane, what happened to you? Poor Ken Cosgrove is the only one representing the 60s man we know and love, sticking to the sharp suit and slicked back 'do.

Betty and Sally Draper have taken to this new wave of fashion nicely, appearing in the classic loud 70s print mini dresses. High necklines, long sleeves and short hemlines mean this look is all about the legs, which can be covered up in bright patterned tights.

Unsurprisingly, Don's wife Megan (Jessica Pare) has moved seamlessly into the new style, looking like a 70s cover girl in her Biba-esque mini dress with matching pink tights.

Alas she was unable to drag Don into the new decade, as the resolutely sombre protagonist of the hit series has stuck to his signature style - albeit with the addition of a colourful tie. But that's all your getting from Don Draper. He doesn't do change.

If you need any more proof that the 1970s were a horrible fashion decade that should never be revisited, just look at what they did to Pete Campbell! Actor Vincent Kartheiser gained over two stone and let them shave his hair into a receeding hairline to document Pete's decline into middle age. Not that we ever fancied him or anything but come on...

Which Mad Men era do you prefer? Are we totally wrong and were the 70s actually the greatest decade for fashion ever? Let us know on Twitter.