Look the business: Icons of workwear

Best ensemble cast: Mad Men. For three series we've been dazzled by their costumes. Men can get the look with a sharp suit, pocket square, narrow tie and slick hair – try Brooks Brothers or Banana Republic for props. Women should go for a pencil skirt, blouse, pearls or a pendant Photograph: Allstar/BBC/Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar Photograph: guardian.co.uk The 'Yes really' award: Sue Ellen from Dallas. She really nailed the blouse and trouser look and always knew how to work a belt and/or wide-brimmed hat Photograph: Gene Trindl/MPTV/LFI/HA/LFI Photograph: Gene Trindl/guardian.co.uk Colour in a leading role. Winner: Michelle Obama; runner-up: Tilda Swinton. Obama is unrivalled here, with the ability to make shades like peach, purple or jade look modern and clean, but special mention should go to Swinton in I am Love Photograph: Rex Features Lifetime achievement in menswear: Cary Grant. Or rather his classic grey suit in North by Northwest. Curveball suit pick: Let's Dance-era David Bowie Photograph: Allstar/Cinetext/MGM/Allstar/Cinetext/MGM Photograph: Allstar/Cinetext/MGM/guardian.co.uk The Flawless award: Glenn Close as Patty Hewes. Close's character in Damages has 'modern polish' down to a fine art – she's practically an ambassador for fancy-textured skirt suits. Shop the look at Jaeger and finish with circular sunglasses – ideal for moments when you're plotting to have someone murdered Photograph: Rex Features The Less-is-more award: Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation. Her wardrobe is the epitome of modern pared-back which almost, but not quite, veers toward grunge. Example look: black duffle, white shirt under a grey striped jumper with a shortish flared black skirt and undone hair. Get the look at Gap and Uniqlo Photograph: Allstar/Focus Features/Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar Photograph: guardian.co.uk League of their own prize: Tippi Hedren. Alexander McQueen was inspired by the matchy-matchy look she famously nailed in The Birds (pictured), with a boxy jacket and 60s slim-fit pencil skirt. Plaudits also go to trouser icon Katharine Hepburn and Jennifer Aniston for her dedication to the white shirt Photograph: Allstar/Cinetext/Universal Photograph: Allstar/Cinetext/UNIVERSAL/guardian.co.uk