In a decade where showing too much skin wasn’t just tacky but verboten, Joan (played by Christina Hendricks) is a prime example of how sex pots got by. Crepe dresses like this are simple and rely on showcasing the most vintage accessory of all: the hourglass figure.

"Good girl" is written all over Peggy, the character played by Elisabeth Moss. Some of Peggy’s stylings are too retro to work today (floppy bow tie, Peter Pan collar), but others will meld perfectly with your wardrobe: strong prints, like these graphic red roses, and three-quarter sleeves-which also serve as a handy cover-up for a common problem area.

Even the girliest faces get an added air of maturity when wearing a dinner dress. Rich brocades lend pizzazz to simple styles, and the thicker fabric keeps the shape of the dress (and acts like a barely there corset). Black and gold is a color combo as relevant in Don Draper’s day as it is now. And the brooch? Two words: Michelle Obama.

There’s an undeniable Grace Kelly quality to the way Betty wears her clothes. When worn with sophisticated hair and makeup, the bright colors and jeweled embellishments are nothing to fear. So wear color-if Betty can, you can, too.