Lemondrop

Yes, folks, the time is finally here: Season four of "Mad Men" starts this Sunday at 10 p.m. EST! And, if you're as rabid of a fan as we are, you might also be planning a soiree of sorts to celebrate the hyperventilation-worthy event.

Just how do you throw a killer party worthy of the multiple-award-winning program? We asked Natasha Vargas-Cooper, author of "Mad Men Unbuttoned: A Romp Through 1960s America," a newly released book filled with fun bits on the "Mad Men" era, for advice on the matter.

Below, all you need to know to evoke the spirit of Betty, Don, Joan, Peggy and the rest of 'em on your big night. Just add ice, and stir.

Costumes for the Ladies
"You'll want to go for anything that resembles Christian Dior's 'New Look' line which came out in 1947. It blew the lid off of post-war fashion because during the war it was boxy frames and sack suits, and then all of a sudden you had this nipped waistline, bubbly shoulders and things that really hugged the silhouette. When you're picking an outfit, make sure those hemlines are not too short, because going anywhere above your knee is a bit risqué. And if you really want to commit, pay attention to your underwear. If you're doing a pencil skirt, you gotta get those Spanx on to give you an hourglass and smooth out everything. Also: a bullet bra, which makes your entire torso look different."


Costumes for the Gents
"If you want to be like Don, he wears a two-piece suit with a two-button jacket with soft shoulders and pairs them with flat-front trousers that aren't at the hips but at the waist. And of course, the number one thing would be a skinny tie. If you want to go more casual, you can do nice khakis with a dark polo and a soft cardigan, but in masculine colors."

Accessories
"For guys, try a wide-brimmed fedora. For women, it's one sparkling brooch, simple big-button earrings and maybe one nice piece of jewelry. Add skin-tone nylons, too."

Hair and Makeup
"Do a natural eye. Don't go dark because that's a vampy look and they're not going for vampy. Do a nice gloss and you can go red if you want to go wild. But it's really your hair that's the trick to looking the part: curlers, hairspray, swoops, flips. This was when curlers and hairsprays were mass-produced for the first time and women didn't have to go to the salon. So, you're going to want to take advantage of that."

To Eat
"If you want to stick to the show, serve Utz chips and Heineken, which are two of the products that Sterling Cooper represents. Also, get some Diet Pepsi, because that's what Patio Cola is, but it eventually changed its name to Diet Pepsi. Also, Betty is always roasting stuff, so maybe put something in oven. And if you want to be cheeky, buy some fish sticks because that's what the kids are always eating."

To Drink (and Drink, and Drink)
"Betty drinks vodka gimlets and Don drinks Old Fashioneds. Generally, they are all drinking Old Fashioneds in the office, but you'll notice if they go out to a bar, they might order a good martini. And I would make those slightly dirty, the way "Mad Men" is, and add extra olive juice. Also, stock up on whiskey and ice."

Decor
"At Sterling Cooper there are a lot of grays and blues and muted yellows, but for the home back then, black and white checkers and bright accents were big. You're going to want to make bubblegum pink, turquoise and orange your color scheme and incorporate them into cups or vases or a throw rug. Also, add fresh flowers."

Music
"There's no rock and roll at this time, so Peggy Lee is probably your best bet, because she has the right kind of swing for a party. Betty also likes Perry Como. If you wanted to be really hip, you could play 'Kind of Blue' by Miles Davis, but that's what the bohemians were listening to. For a more rockin' party, you could go with Chubby Checker, James Brown or Sam Cooke, but that'd be very edgy."
Another idea: Download the "Mad Men" soundtracks off of iTunes or Amazon.

Games
"I think that's the best thing about a 'Mad Men' party is that they didn't play games because they were adults. There's a sophistication. So either there's a sedate game of gin after everything is said and done or you sit around and come up with cocktail chatter, with men separated from women, of course."
Another idea: Check out AMC's "Mad Men" site for trivia from each season.

Party Favors
"Any book about style at the time states that there are a couple things you should always have in your purse: an extra pearl necklace and your compact. So, for a woman, a cheap compact mirror would be a great favor, so you can always check your hair and makeup. You could also give Lucky Strike cigarettes or candy cigarettes for people who don't smoke. Also, for a really special favor, you could go to a thrift store that carries old magazines and pick up Cosmos, GQs, Lifes, Playboys -- anything from the late 1950s is going to showcase the golden age of illustrated advertisements. '63–'75 is considered the golden age of photography, and you get the really slick slogans that 'Mad Men' is all about."