What You’ll Need
DKNY Grey Plaid 3-Button Suit
Van Heusen Long Sleeve Oxford Shirt in Light Blue
Self-Tie Bow Tie in Red and Sky
Pocket Square in Dark Red
Gold Toe Cotton Argyle Socks in Khaki and Heather
California Costumes The Colonel Beard and Wig
Atlas Shrugged
Bertram Cooper’s wardrobe reflects a very specific era of mid-century corporate power, defined by traditional three-button tailoring, eccentric patterned bow ties, and his strict refusal to wear shoes inside his office. Putting together his look comes down to nailing the older 1960s executive silhouette and leaning into the specific quirks that separate him from everyone else in the agency.
Because his clothing consists primarily of tailored menswear, most of what you need relies on finding the right cuts and patterns rather than building garments from scratch. The visual impact depends on getting the proportions, facial hair, and small personal items aligned with how he appears on screen.
The Three-Button Suit
Bert’s suits sit firmly in traditional Madison Avenue styling from the early 1960s, favoring boxier cuts and higher button stances rather than the slim, narrow-lapel styles worn by younger executives. A grey plaid three-piece or two-piece suit with a higher closure sets the base silhouette. The DKNY Grey Plaid 3-Button Suit offers the right cut, featuring three buttons that fasten higher on the torso and a subtle patterned weave that mirrors Bert’s taste in textured woolens.
Trousers should sit slightly higher on the waist with a classic straight leg that breaks right around the ankle. If you alter the hem, keep it clean without excessive fabric bunching, which becomes especially noticeable when you remove your shoes.
Shirt, Bow Tie, and Pocket Square
Under the jacket, Bert wears traditional dress shirts paired exclusively with bow ties—he never wears a standard necktie. A classic Van Heusen Long Sleeve Oxford Shirt in Light Blue provides a soft contrast against grey or taupe suiting. The collar points need to stay tidy and pressed flat so they frame the bow tie neatly without slipping underneath the lapels.
His neckwear usually leans toward patterned silks in warm, distinctive colors. The Self-Tie Bow Tie in Red and Sky introduces the geometric pop he frequently wears in the office. Tying it yourself gives the knot a natural, slightly irregular shape that looks far more authentic than a rigid pre-tied version. To balance the chest, slip the Pocket Square in Dark Red into the jacket’s breast pocket using a simple straight fold or a casual puff, allowing just a hint of burgundy to show.
Argyle Socks and Footwear
The most distinct aspect of Bert Cooper’s appearance is his footwear—or rather, the deliberate lack of it. Anyone entering his office must leave their shoes at the door, and Bert spends most of his scenes padding across his tatami mats and carpets in patterned dress socks.
A pair of Gold Toe Cotton Argyle Socks in Khaki and Heather matches his affinity for earth tones and understated heritage patterns. If you wear this costume to an event or venue where walking around in socks is impossible, carry a pair of slip-on dress shoes or loafers that you can step out of for photos. When you do have your shoes off, the argyle pattern immediately signals who the character is.
Beard and Hair Styling
Bert’s snow-white hair and sculpted goatee are central to his older, distinguished appearance. If you are not growing and bleaching your own facial hair, the California Costumes The Colonel Beard and Wig supplies a workable synthetic white goatee and parted hairpiece.
Synthetic facial hair often comes out of the package slightly dense or overly uniform. Trimming the edges with small scissors and thinning out the chin tuft helps shape the beard closer to Bert’s trimmed, slightly pointed goatee. Using spirit gum or skin-safe adhesive keeps the piece firmly anchored against your chin and upper lip throughout the day.
Carrying Atlas Shrugged
To complete the ensemble, carry a copy of Atlas Shrugged. Bert’s philosophical devotion to Ayn Rand is an ongoing character thread, and holding the hefty paperback under your arm gives your hands something natural to do while reinforcing his specific worldview.
