Costumes of "Downton Abbey"

Miss Sis · Dec 9, 2011

Well, well and truely into the very early 1920s, which isn't what many people would think of when they think of '20s' fashion ie/mid 20s.

Still, I like the early 20s fashions and will be interested to see what they come up with. They have mixed some original vintage in with hired costumes and newly made so it is nice to look at and try to pick what is what. (P.S: I'm not obsessive - I just watch it once and that is that, so I am quite likely to miss something!)

Lauren · Dec 10, 2011

Stephanie of A Star Spangled Heart is doing a Downton Abbey sew-a-long this year:
http://star-spangledheart.blogspot.com/2011/12/dressing-downton-sew-along.html

I love the costumes. I absolutely LOVE the 1910s. I'm excited to see what they do with the early 20's, because that's my favorite of 1920's fashion.

Faith Rudd · Dec 10, 2011

I too love the early 20s - it's so elegant and grown-up, I think. Really excited for the next series and some lovely hats. Also all the Russian influence! Oooh!

swinggal · Dec 11, 2011

Series two ended in 1919, so by the time the series 3 ends we may have gone forward 4 years to 1923. Early 20s dresses were still calf length. It's amazing that so many people don't realise the skirts in the 20's only raised to the knee between 1926 and 1928 then went back to below the knee again. I love early 20s fashion as there are so many amazing designs and hem styles.

I think one difference we will see is shorter hair, which began to appear around 1922. It was still waved and quite feminine. The severe bobs and shaved crops didn't really appear til 1925.

W-D Forties · Dec 11, 2011

It all depends on how accurate they try to be swinggal. Pretty accurate I hope, but given that the last series had more in common with Dallas than Upstairs Downstairs - who can tell?

Philip Adams · Dec 11, 2011

I think they're trying to be as accurate as they can - at least with the clothing.

There was something in Good Morning on ITV showing where they had Hugh Bonneville's suit(s) made and the tailor's still had original patters from that time.

As to the storylines.....

Faith Rudd · Dec 11, 2011

I watched a show on Savile Row tailors a few years back and they said that most of them keep all their patterns all the time. Seeing as some of them have been in operation since the early stages of the 19th century if not earlier - wow, they must have amazing collections.

swinggal · Dec 11, 2011

They were pretty accurate in the last 2 series costume-wise. Tends to be quite important in BBC series. I like that they do such a great job. I've been quite impressed with the costuming so far.

Faith Rudd · Dec 11, 2011

The most surprising thing about it is that it's not BBC!

Lauren · Dec 12, 2011

swinggal said:
I think one difference we will see is shorter hair, which began to appear around 1922. It was still waved and quite feminine. The severe bobs and shaved crops didn't really appear til 1925.

I think I can guess who's getting bobbed hair first

And actually, bobbed hair started in the late teens, but I'm not sure when it caught on in the UK? Possibly a bit later?

I think the costumes are decently accurate so far, but I wish they had delved just a bit more into late teens styles. They still seemed quite subdued, to my eye. I wanted to see some of those outlandish late teens silhouettes! Still gorgeous costumes, though, and I know I'm in the minority loving the wacky late teens styles

Faith Rudd · Dec 12, 2011

Lauren said:
I wish they had delved just a bit more into late teens styles. They still seemed quite subdued, to my eye. I wanted to see some of those outlandish late teens silhouettes!

Yes, this was what I was wanting! I'm at least hoping for some amazing panniered robe de styles in the next series. Occasionally Edith would have something with the slightest hint of the fuller skirts of the end of the decade and one of Sybil's evening dresses was getting there but it never seemed to quite fulfil its promise! I wanted full skirts and awesome boots! And whatever happened to Sybil's harem trousers? I appreciate that they're country girls and not as modern as Lavinia, who did have slightly better costuming, but I would have loved to see it all the same. Hopefully now the war is firmly behind us the girls will start appearing in London more often and be more fashionable.

Faith Rudd · Dec 12, 2011

These images from the Christmas special look promising although some of the other images look definitely pre-war. But I'm forgiving them if they keep up this standard.

376386_10150418582993705_32735363704_8474149_639145715_n.jpg

393718_10150418582688705_32735363704_8474144_1960518279_n.jpg

Miss Sis · Dec 12, 2011

Philip Adams said:
There was something in Good Morning on ITV showing where they had Hugh Bonneville's suit(s) made and the tailor's still had original patters from that time.

Hmmm, well if they made the Officer's Uniform for Hugh Bonneville they should be ashamed - the fit was abysmal! The front wrinkled across the front from the armholes and it looked like a sack on him. My BF took one look and declared 'Awful!' and he knows uniforms as well as vintage tailoring.

I honestly thought they must have hired it and then I read it had been made for him. Unbelievably bad.

The Wiser Hatter · Dec 13, 2011

http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2011/12/downton-abbey-201112#slide=1

Vanityfair on the set

Philip Adams · Dec 13, 2011

Miss Sis said:
Hmmm, well if they made the Officer's Uniform for Hugh Bonneville they should be ashamed - the fit was abysmal! The front wrinkled across the front from the armholes and it looked like a sack on him. My BF took one look and declared 'Awful!' and he knows uniforms as well as vintage tailoring.

I honestly thought they must have hired it and then I read it had been made for him. Unbelievably bad.

The one they were claiming that had been made was a lounge suit. There was no mention of the uniforms being made to measure.

Anyway, as my father used to say; "There are only two sizes of army uniforms - too big and too small."

Miss Sis · Dec 13, 2011

Philip Adams said:
The one they were claiming that had been made was a lounge suit. There was no mention of the uniforms being made to measure.

Anyway, as my father used to say; "There are only two sizes of army uniforms - too big and too small."

Not for Officers - they have ALWAYS been made to measure, whatever service they were in.

swinggal · Dec 14, 2011

Lauren said:
I think I can guess who's getting bobbed hair first And actually, bobbed hair started in the late teens, but I'm not sure when it caught on in the UK? Possibly a bit later?

I think the costumes are decently accurate so far, but I wish they had delved just a bit more into late teens styles. They still seemed quite subdued, to my eye. I wanted to see some of those outlandish late teens silhouettes! Still gorgeous costumes, though, and I know I'm in the minority loving the wacky late teens styles

Hehe...well yes, bobs began in 1915 with Irene Castle's do, but she only cut it for convenience as dancer. Kinda took a while to catch on.

Philip Adams · Dec 16, 2011

The latest news re costumes in the Downton Christmas Special:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/.../Downton-Abbey-accused-of-costume-errors.html

Kitty_Sheridan · Dec 19, 2011

You have to remember that the family were like most 'old money' asset rich and cash poor. My Aunt was still wearing hideously out of date clothing in the 30s despite living in a draughty old house.

Miss Sis is correct, whilst the rank and file were in badly fitting uniform, officers had made to measure and Hugh Bon's Service Dress was dire.

It's wonderful Sunday night cheesy viewing though and not a history documentary, so we'll let them off.

Philip Adams · Dec 19, 2011

Kitty_Sheridan said:
It's wonderful Sunday night cheesy viewing though and not a history documentary...

Well said. It's entertainment.

Mind you, its historical content is much higher than some of the programmes shown on 'The History Channel' these days.

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