Jon Hamm stars in “Mad Men”

Don Draper could be considered a man among men. From a distance, that is. Perhaps that is part of his charm and why so many adore the wolf -- and sometime dog -- clad in the finest sheep's clothing money could buy. Get close enough to these guys, though, and the whisky and tobacco might not cloud your vision quickly enough.

All the same, Draper stands as a homogenized version of what big business was almost a half-century ago. He has all the glamor of a high-pressure dream job on Madison Avenue in New York City, at the apex of the Cold War and Counterculture Revolution.

Created, written and produced by Matthew Weiner -- who wrote for the fifth and sixth seasons of the smash hit "The Sopranos" -- the '60s-heavy series "Mad Men" wraps up its enormously successful run with the series finale airing Sunday, May 17, on AMC.

We've all heard tell of "the best television series of all time," but this one has chops. Being the first basic cable series to win the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, the accolades have rolled in non-stop since the show's debut in 2007. Name an award, and it has likely garnered a win or nomination. In fact, it has even set a record for not winning a thing, with 17 Emmy nominations in 2012 and nary a prize. Name a news outlet, and it has had a glowing review in one issue or many. Name your favorite hotel, airline and vice, well, if it existed when flower children were planted, then it likely crept into the show, too.

Authenticity sews together the fabric of the show, and not with writing alone. Aside from product placement that may send you on a trip down memory lane, the clothing, jargon and attitudes all ring true; not only with the fans but the writers who dig deep into their own past and mine for gold as well.

Anyone could agree -- it was not a golden age in political correctness, even if the workplaces you recall or heard of weren't as volatile as the fictional Sterling Cooper. In an interview with "Marie Claire," Jon Hamm ("The Town," 2010) gave a little insight into his character, Don Draper.

"When I hear something like 'Don Draper is God's gift to women,' I certainly hope not. I hope God has a better gift because Don Draper is terrible to women and terrible for women," Hamm said. "I grew up with a single mother, and if my mom had started dating Don Draper, I'd be terrified. I don't understand that part of it at all."

Well, it could be that sheep's clothing! The show, if not the character of Draper alone, seems to have sparked a movement in sharp dressing. Has there been more hard liquor and cigars in your peripheral than usual? He may have sparked that, too. Brooks Brothers, the hallmark clothier that supplied the wardrobe for the show, took the fad a step closer to the camera by offering a limited "Mad Men Edition" suit designed by the on-set costume designer. Banana Republic has had three lines of men's and women's clothing inspired by the show, and even Barbie and Ken got in on the action in 2010 when Mattel released a set of four characters from the show.

Christina Hendricks and Elisabeth Moss as seen in “Mad Men”

Fan favorite Peggy Olson is played by Elisabeth Moss ("Top of the Lake," "The West Wing"), who has been featured by casual clothing king Gap in its "Dress Normal" campaign. She revealed to "Contact Music" how the series influenced her own personal wardrobe, and it may not be what you expect.

"My style has been influenced by 'Mad Men' in the opposite way to how you think," she said. "For a few years, all the girls on the show moved away from doing retro fashion because we constantly had to wear those styles. I have worn anything but retro for years as a result."

That said, she did keep one dress that, for her, was the most memorable swath of cloth so far: ''I kept an eggplant-colored dress that she wears when she leaves [the firm]. That dress was meaningful because the scene marked a huge turning point for her."

The lion's share of voluptuous gowns that sparked scores of women's interest in vintage wear cling to Joan Harris, played by Christina Hendricks ("Drive," 2011).

"It's all about the tailoring. In 'Mad Men,' everything always fits everyone so well, and I think that's the secret," the bombshell told "Good Housekeeping." "When you shop in a vintage store and you find something on the rail that doesn't quite fit right, that doesn't mean it can't work. Just take it to a good tailor." A life lesson if there ever was one.

Even though it won't be a traditional work day, you may want to put on your shoes for this one, just so you can kick them off and put your feet up. Maybe pour a little drink to raise when "Mad Men" hangs its hat for the last time on the series finale airing Sunday, May 17, on AMC.