Two of the Crawley sisters' evening dresses were displayed at the Winterthur Museum as part of the Costumes of Downton Abbey exhibition.
In Threads #177, the article “Designs of Downton Abbey,” Assistant Editor Dana Finkle focuses on the show’s magnificent costumes on display at the Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, Delaware, from March 1, 2014 through January 4, 2015. Here’s a look at additional garments worn by the upstairs and downstairs workers, which were featured in the exhibition.
This evening gown, worn by the character Lady Edith Crawley in Season 1, reflects the middle child’s conservative personality.
Lady Mary Crawley’s evening dress from Season 2 is more in tune with the eldest daughter’s traditional personality.
Pinstripe suits, such as this one worn by Matthew Crawley in Season 3, were commonplace in Great Britain at the turn of the 20th century.
(From left to right) luxurious coats worn by these characters: Cora, Countess of Grantham, in Season 3; Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, in Seasons 1, 3, and 4; Lady Edith Crawley in Season 3; and (last two) Martha Levinson, Lady Grantham’s mother, in Season 3.
This is kitchen maid Daisy Mason’s dress and printed apron (left) beside cook Mrs. Patmore’s dress and apron (right), both from Season 3.
Work clothes, apron, and sleeve guards worn by John Bates, Lord Grantham’s valet, in Season 1.
Above is the summer dress, worn by Lady Sybil to the town’s annual flower show in Season 1, was an authentic Edwardian-era piece.
This is butler Charles Carson’s evening outfit, which consists of a black dinner jacket, a waistcoat, trousers, and a bow tie, all of which were worn in Seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Above is the dress Lady Edith Crawley wore to get married in Season 3. Just as with many of the show’s costumes, this dress was designed around a fragment of vintage embroidery found on the gown’s train (shown at right).
Season 4 evening dress, worn by Lady Rose MacClare, grandniece of Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham. This dress features a tabard shape and a dropped waistline, both of which were popular in the 1920s.
Lady Sybil Crawley wore this dress to her sister Edith’s wedding, as well.It began as a vintage embroidered top, which was extended into a skirt and decorated with matching embroidery.
Do you watch Downton Abbey? Are you surprised by how different the costumes look off-screen? Which character’s costumes are your favorite? Please share your thoughts below.
Lady Sybil (left) wears a delicate, period-appropriate dress in this Season 1 episode.
Find out below how some of the Crawley family's costumes for Lady Edith's wedding were made.
Two of the Crawley sisters' evening dresses were displayed at the Winterthur Museum as part of the Costumes of Downton Abbey exhibition.
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This exhibit travels to Biltmore Mansion in Asheville NC on February 5,2015 through May 25, 2015. It will not be mounted in a gallery. Instead, each garment will be in each appropriate room that it would have been worn in. Biltmore is the largest house in the US with 250 room. The ball gowns will be in the ballroom, etc. The price of the ticket includes the tour of the house. It will be more expensive than Winterthur but if you've never seen Biltmore, it is worth it to see how the gilded age citizens lived. And this time with the appropriate clothes. Here is the address link--- http://www.biltmore.com/events/P20
Renita
I love Lady Mary's gowns. While they are somewhat conservative, they are always elegant, and her slight figure is perfect for the age, particularly going into the 1920s and the preferred boyish physique.
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This exhibit travels to Biltmore Mansion in Asheville NC on February 5,2015 through May 25, 2015. It will not be mounted in a gallery. Instead, each garment will be in each appropriate room that it would have been worn in. Biltmore is the largest house in the US with 250 room. The ball gowns will be in the ballroom, etc. The price of the ticket includes the tour of the house. It will be more expensive than Winterthur but if you've never seen Biltmore, it is worth it to see how the gilded age citizens lived. And this time with the appropriate clothes. Here is the address link---
http://www.biltmore.com/events/P20
Renita
I've heard rumors the exhibit may come to the NE/Boston area? Does anyone know of such a plan?
I love Lady Mary's gowns. While they are somewhat conservative, they are always elegant, and her slight figure is perfect for the age, particularly going into the 1920s and the preferred boyish physique.
I like Lady Mary's the best.