Masters of Sex Style

It was a time of martinis, cigarettes and the advent of the Pill and min-skirts, ....and of course sex.  Showtime's period drama Masters of Sex centers around the real-life pioneers of the sexual revolution William Masters (Michael Sheen) and Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) and their ground-breaking studies. Set in St. Louis in 1958, the hit series captures the styles of the period with perfection with many of the costumes and sets rivaling another favorite, Mad Men.

Costume designer Ane Crabtree created the original costumes,  using sixties icons Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn along with research from Life Magazine for inspiration. The costumes are indicative of middle-class society and suburban looks of the time. Think capri pants, bateau neck lines, slim-lined cocktail dresses and bow ties for the men. It's incredible how many of the styles still hold up today.

Costume Designer Ane Crabtree with one her creations for the show

Crabtree's sketch of Virginia Masters

Caitlin Fitzgerald as Libby Masters

Women's professional wear at the time included pencil skirts and pill box hats 

The Masters Women

Michael Sheen's Bill Masters is rarely seen without a vintage bow tie

Channeling Jackie O with the ubiquitous sheath dress and brooch

The show is in its third season and can be seen on Showtime, Sunday nights at 9 central.

And on a sidenote, vintage clothing has never been more popular than it is today. I am an editorial consultant for the vintage site Ruby Lane -- check out their retro fashions - particularly the handbags!

Photo Credits: Showtime, Academy of Television