MR. DOOL

These days when people talk about 60′s style, they’re most likely referring to the sharp suits and curvy skirts of “Mad Men.”  There’s been no shortage of ink devoted to Don Draper and Co., and deservedly so: the show is a bonafide pop culture phenomenon, inspiring the masses to slick their hair and tuck in a pocket square, and turning costume designer Janie Bryant into a budding style icon.

But, from across the pond, there’s another buzzworthy project offering a different take on the time, with a distinctive British flair.  “An Education,” the Nick Hornby-penned film about a schoolgirl in pre-Swinging 1960′s London, is a classic coming-of-age tale.  And while most of the praise for the film is being leveled at Carey Mulligan in the lead role — she’s amazing, so no complaints here about that — it’s worth noting the solid work from co-stars Peter Sarsgaard, Rosamund Pike and Dominic Cooper.

Sarsgaard and Cooper, for their part, also have the enviable task of wearing some of the finest threads the era had to offer.  Dressed in natty suits, cut slimmer than their American counterparts at Sterling Cooper, and showcasing some of the sharpest hats, scarves, tie clips and shoes of the decade — and at least one killer tux.

I’ve always been a big fan of 1960′s European style on film — from French New Wave classics like “Breathless,” to Italian masterpieces like “8 1/2″ and the British school uniforms of “If…” — so it’s great to see it featured so prominently in “An Education,” as Jenny (Carey Mulligan’s character) becomes seduced by the expensive duds and idle rich lifestyle of her new, slightly mysterious friends, played with charm and a little sleaze by Cooper, Sarsgaard and Pike.  The styling alone is worth the price of admission.  See some more stills after the jump.

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