At the launch of the Brooks Brothers "Mad Men" limited edition men's suit, available from October 19 to November 8 (the date of the season finale) for $998, the actors on the AMC show fessed up to how much their personal wardrobes - and lifestyles - have changed since they started the show. It turns out they've learned their lesson: the power of the well-tailored suit.

"Before the show, my inspiration for clothing came from Pearl Jam and Nirvana: ripped clothes and long hair," says Rich Sommer. "I had zero suits. I was living in New York, temping, and when they'd ask us to wear suits, I'd always say I don't have one." But since he began playing Harry Crane, head of the television department at Sterling Cooper, his style has changed. "I've become more of a fashion conservative. When my time on the show ends, I think I'll wear suits. I love the masculinity of wearing a suit. People respect you. Today I was riding a bus in my scrubs and a guy elbowed me full on. In a suit that wouldn't happen. There's something that commands respect. Growing up, I never understood my dad wearing a suit, the presentation of a suit, but there's something about it, it's a put togetherness. There's a status that comes with the suit. It's not explicit, it's implicit." Sommer has started adding accessories to complete his new look. "I like cufflinks, I have one pair I wore to the Emmy's – I got them for Fathers' day, from my daughter, she's 2 years old. They have a locket with photos of my daughter, and they're monogrammed. I love them. I always wear them with a French cuff shirt."

"I usually wear jeans or hiking pants and comfortable shoes," says Michael Gladis, who plays Paul Kinsey, a copywriter on the show. But he's been wearing suits more often: Thanks to "Mad Men," he now has 13 or 14 suits in his closet. "There's something intangible about it," he says. A guest at the party chimes in: "I'm always attracted to men who wear suits." He accessorizes with a pocket square, just in case he encounters a woman crying, he says.

"Janie turned me into a suit guy," said Vincent Kartheiser, who plays Pete Campbell on the show. The suit goes along with the exciting life he has growing out of the show's success. "To put on a suit is a celebration, to say that there's something fantastic going on. If you own a lot you have a lot of celebrating to do," That description fits him. "The greatest thing" that has come as a result of the show's success "is that there's this group of artists so moved by the show who we get to meet." For example, he recently met Swiss film director Barbet Schroeder. "He was telling me stories of being with Polanski when he was trying to sell 'Knife in the Water,' Kartheiser recalls. As far as other ways his lifestyle his changed: "I get more manicures." Just then a waiter swoops by offering him fried chicken. Kartheiser passes, and the waiter says, "Would you like me to bring you some dessert?" "See, that's how good my life is now: that happens."

In honor of "Blog Action Day," we asked some of the stars of the popular AMC series "Mad Men" what they do to make the world a better place (aside from entertaining millions of us every Sunday night with their ad agency antics -- and come to New York for a night to help Brooks Brothers launch its "Mad Men" suit, which we'll be telling you about later). Although the show is set in the 1960s, their concerns are very current.

"What we put into our lives, what we choose to eat, is the biggest statement I can make," says Vincent Kartheiser, who plays Pete Campbell, an Account Executive at Sterling Cooper. Kartheiser wasn't always as aware. "I ate meat four years ago and smoked cigarettes four years ago," he says. It wasn't easy, but he gave both up. "If I didn't accept they were bad, I never would have quit. But that was the first step. I see a lot of things I need to do to change. We need to take that step and say this is something I should do, and even if don't do it yet, that's a step in the right direction," he says. He has taken action to reduce consumption and protect the environment. "I don't drive - I only take public transportation, and I don't believe in having children," he says. He also doesn't wear fur and doesn't buy leather. And just where might you find him eating a vegetarian meal? Café Muse, in his neighborhood in Los Angeles.

Janie Bryant, the Emmy-award-winning costume designer of the show, is in charge of some of the smallest details to give the show an authentic 1960s feel, but when it comes to doing good, she has one basic principle. "The most important thing I can do to improve the world is to have positive thoughts. That's what creates everything: energy, recycling, reinventing. It all comes from there," she says.

Rich Sommer, who plays Harry Crane - the head of the Television Department on the show - says, "I have two causes I think of every day," His brother spent a year in a half there in the military and made it home. "I oppose the war, but I support the guys who are over there. So I support Operation Homefront," a nonprofit that supports our troops and helps the families they leave behind, Sommer says. His other cause: gay rights. "These are people I live with, work with, am friends with," he says, noting it's not right that they may be treated differently back in his home state of Minnesota than in New York or California.

Classic clothier Brooks Brothers is making a foray into high-end luxury goods with its new line of genuine crocodile luggage and accessories for men. The ultra-luxe, elegant and understated collection consists of five pieces: a Crocodile Weekender duffel bag (above); matching Crocodile Flap Briefcase; a Crocodile Travel Bag; an Alligator Journal; and an Alligator Eyeglass Case. The last two are finished in fine alligator skin; all the bags feature brass hardware. The Weekender retails for $15,000; the Briefcase for $10,000; the Travel Bag for $3,000; the Journal for $3,000; and the Eyeglass Case for $1,000. Altogether the five pieces come to $32,000.

[via JustLuxe]

Welcome to the first in a new series of exclusive photo features showcasing seasonal style essentials inspired by classic icons of elegance, sport and design, photographed with the most beautiful and coveted cars on the road. The emphasis is on luxury of course, but of the timeless variety as opposed to mere extravagance.

In our recent Classicist column on the 2010 Jaguar XK convertible coming out this August, we remarked on the sleek new cat's stylistic heritage dating back to 1948's XK120, as driven by the likes of Gary Cooper, Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable, as well as later models like the D-Type (or XK-SS) made famous by the great Steve McQueen. The first in our new series of exclusive shoots is inspired by them and stars the XK in homage to these stylish icons, both man and automotive (read all about the new XK here).

In particular, the influence of Gable (with his XK120 in 1954, top right) and McQueen (with his XK-SS, center right) can be seen in the summery style essentials we've assembled for this shoot. For the pastoral setting we drew on another classic Jaguar reference, an image of writer Truman Capote in a Jaguar XK-E, the model most closely aligned with the new XK, in the Hamptons in 1965 (bottom right).

In the spirit of summer we've chosen a classic combination of navy and white, popular as fashionable resort wear for a nearly a century and still going strong in the right circles. While navy blazers of the type shown here originated as part of English cricket club scenery and other elegant sporting occasions such as the Henley Royal Regatta, without gold buttons it needn't be unnecessarily nautical or costume-y.

The jacket shown here, in tropical weight wool with soft shoulders by the dashing Italian house of Etro, references its sporting antecedents with grosgrain tipping on the lapels, pockets and cuffs; however, since it is finished in the same color as the jacket the effect is a subtle one, while the slim cut updates the look with Italian flair. A cream linen camp shirt by Paul Stuart and white linen pants by Polo Ralph Lauren round out the rest of the ensemble.

As an alternative on cooler days or evenings - which we've certainly had plenty of this summer - we've also included a variation of the navy blazer by Brooks Brothers made of butter-soft goat suede with spiffy sporting details including a throat latch, stand-up collar, action back and pure Irish linen lining, which calls to mind the jacket worn by Gable above.

While a polka dot foulard silk scarf by the venerable British clothier Turnbull & Asser (shirtmaker to the Prince of Wales) provides not only another classic touch and added dose of sprezzatura, it also protects against the elements while piloting the XK with the top down at serious speeds. A hefty dose of McQueen meanwhile can be seen in the rakish cap, sunglasses and watch. For the feet and the road, a pair of pebble-sold leather driving moccasins by Tod's keep the haute Italian vibe going.

The checked linen driving cap - this model is made by Brooks Brothers - of the type favored by McQueen has no brim to collide with a car's headrest, and is infinitely more elegant than a baseball cap. Also on view: iconic Italian Persol sunglasses, in particular the model made famous by McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair. Starring in this feature are a foldable version of McQueen's faves, as well as a couple of other killer Persol models; all are available at Ilori. Also included is a pair of shades by Paul Smith. The watch is a classic and vintage stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master II, available at Tourneau, of a similar design to the Rolex Submariner model favored by McQueen (and which recently fetched a record price at auction). Read on for details of the rest of the accessories after the jump.

Brooks Brothers just made their high-end, high-style Black Fleece collection for Spring / Summer '08 available online, and it's certainly stimulating, if perhaps not to everyone's taste. The line, designed by controversial but undeniably au courant designer Thom Browne, features twisted takes on preppy classics with eyebrow-raising pricetags.

Highlights of the men's looks include a "Fun" red, green, yellow and blue patchwork seersucker jacket for $1,900 with matching pants for an additional $700; a suit of cotton madras plaid (jacket $1,500, pants $600); a $2,500 morning coat with grosgrain tipping meant to be worn with a top hat; and an Irish linen trench coat with grosgrain tipping for $2,000. For women, there's a patchwork seersucker shorts suit to match the men's model (jacket $1,900, pants $500) and a cotton piqué patch pocket jacket with grosgrain tipping and sterling silver buttons for $2,100.

While the classic influences are obvious, this isn't exactly the kind of thing one associates with the traditional wares of Brooks -- but that's exactly the point of Black Fleece. Whether you can a) afford it, and b) pull it off is another matter entirely.

We've all seen our share of super expensive chess sets, but now that poker has become many executives' game of choice, Brooks Brothers is offering a $2500 box set. With that kind of price tag, you're likely to expect a bit of gold or something, right? Sorry, nope. The accent hardware is polished brass and, while the wood is Italian and the leather is British, you may join us in wondering where the $2k+ premium over last year's edition comes from. Still, it is quite handsome, isn't it?

Looking for a present for your golf junkie? Brooks Brothers has a golf package as one of their ultimate gifts for this season. The package takes place on May 13-16, 2007 at Keswick Hall. The Virginia resort is a 48-room Tuscan-style hotel next to Keswick Club and its 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf course. The three-night package includes the chance to play with PGA tour pros Scott Verplank and James Driscoll, who will join you for a day of personal instruction followed by an 18-hole playing lesson. They will also hang out with your for lunch. The golf excursion includes three nights in a master suite at Keswick Hall, four individual spa treatments, dinner each night and a special welcome package. The trip costs $7,200 per couple.

Heart-strewn boxers are as classic as roses for Valentine's Day. Avoid the cheesy ones with naughty sayings and head for these understated versions from Brooks Brothers instead. The boxers are made of a fine woven cotton broadcloth and come in three patterns: red ground stripe, navy with hearts and Golden Fleece and red plaid. The box of three in a gift box sells for $48.