The Mad Men Women

The heat is breaking, they say.  We didn't have it as bad as others across the country, that's for sure, but it's been hot everywhere.  Uncomfortable. Sticky.This morning my sister and I went out for a late breakfast. The place was packed - she said a lot of folks go there right after church.  I looked around and saw sneakers, sandals, bare legs, bare arms, shorts, t-shirts, sundresses.  Normal summertime attire.  What you see every day in July around here.Lately I've been catching up on Season Five of "Mad Men," the brilliant and award-winning drama that depicts a fictional Madison Avenue (hence, the "Mad Men") advertising agency in the 1960s.  Certainly fashion for women had started to change by 1967, but I've been captivated by Joan, Peggy, and Betty and their true-to-date clothes.I'm old enough to remember when homes/offices/churches didn't have air conditioning; nevertheless, men wore business suits (tight collar, necktie), and women wore dresses.  And what they had to wear under those dresses!  The pointy brassière, rubberized girdle, garters, stockings were staples in a woman's wardrobe.  Even in the 1980s, I wouldn't think of going to work (a bank) with bare legs.  Pantyhose.  Every day.Women did wear a lot more clothes then, and the clothes were beautiful: tailored, hand-sewn, finest fabrics.  No "printed racer-back tank dress" for $19.99 (made in China, yes).  Most women didn't have a closetful of clothes.  What they had was quality, and would last.This morning I was grateful to be able to dress more comfortably.  But watching those episodes of "Mad Men" has made me a little nostalgic.  A tiny little bit.  Well, maybe in October.