Ah, how fabulous is Downton Abbey, which is currently airing on ITV1 on Sunday nights? It’s perfect comfort viewing for these wet, cold Autumn evenings – in fact I can think of few things nicer than snuggling down on the sofa to watch it while the rain lashes against the window panes.
It’s not ground breaking cutting edge drama so don’t expect anything shocking to occur (although I really winced and had to hide behind a cushion when they showed a medical procedure tonight) but who cares, when the acting and backdrop are as fantastic as this and the dialogue sparkles with humanity and wit? The plot too is churning with passion, intrigue and a delicious wry humour as we see the aristocratic family politely battling above stairs while below stairs the servants mercilessly dissect them and their doings.
If you’re thinking that it is all a bit like Upstairs, Downstairs and, more recently, Gosford Park then you’d be totally right but that’s not a bad thing – there’s a reason why we continue to be fascinated by the lifestyle of the idle rich at the turn of the century after all.
One of the most amazing things about Downton Abbey is the clothes, with the black beaded evening gowns worn by the ladies above stairs being particularly gorgeous! I thought it might be fun to put together a Downton Abbey look for you all!
Gorgeous tulle dress from the Topshop Kate Moss collection.
Greta square toe shoes from Topshop.
Chandelier earrings from Topshop.
Jet style necklace from Oasis.
Stack of cameo rings from Oasis.
Lace and facet earrings from Topshop.
Long black satin gloves from Accessorize.
Metal shell clutch bag from Accessorize.
Sequinned, veiled top hat from Accessorize.
Feathered and sequinned hair clip.
A feathered fan from Accessorize.
Hope you enjoyed that! Definitely tune in and watch Downton Abbey if you aren’t already watching it as it is a real treat and really superb. Tonight’s episode saw the debut of Dan Stevens as the awkward prospective heir to the title in a rather Heyeresque turn as the relatively middle class (or upper middle class as his mother corrects him) outsider who arrives to disrupt the aristocratic family’s life. I feel a bit bad actually as I passed on a question to Dan on Twitter earlier on, asking if he’d gone all LA, which he very much denied.
Anyway, Dan Stevens, if you ever read this (unlikely!): I’m sorry, you were fab and long may you continue to put the wind up them all, as it were.
Where did you find all this stuff?!! I actually have a necklace almost the same as the one the actress wears in the second picture down. Don’t get to wear it that often…
Love this look. The high necked bluses and dresses cover up the increasing amount of crepe -y skin very nicely. Bring it all back I say!
Haha, it was just a quick look through a few sites! If I gave myself more time, I’d be the best stylist in the world! ;D
I love those necklaces – you should wear it out and about! I think Edwardian style will be huge soon!
I was thinking this while looking for clothes; that the look is actually really flattering because it involves covering up the upper arms and er quite a lot of everything else! I meant to include a sequinned cape actually! :)
You did a great job recreating an Edwardian outfit! I definitely see how 21st century women can translate the look of 100 years ago (but I must ask, as an American, what does “LA” mean?).
Thank you! I like doing stuff like this! :D
Oh er Los Angeles. :D
x
I saw all the tweeting about ‘Downton’ on ITV last evening, but its not on my SKY here in Ireland. I also tried online on the ITV video player, but ‘D.A.’ was ”not found” when I clicked. I suspect it is like the BBC replay videos & not available here. I shall have to enjoy it vicariously. Loved the fashion, especially the fan!
Aww, hope you manage to see it soon as it’s a real treat! :)
lovely finds, couldn’t agree more about Downton Abbey. I caught up with episode 1 yesterday afternoon then watched the next one in the evening. Sumptious is the word- and fine acting. The subplot with Bates was so bitter and then sweet- what a wonderful actor the chap who plays him is- and I’m really enjoying Hugh Bonneville having a slightly less buffoony character.
Isn’t it marvellous! I love all the subplots and it is really moving in places isn’t it?
I love Downton Abbey, but I keep having to pause it so I can go off and try to recreate the hairstyles on myself.
Hahaha! I might have known! :D
My dear Mrs Guillotine,
I wish to complain in the strongest terms that your website takes at least ten million years to load (doubtless because of the giant picture of that bewigged woman with the collection of cakes). Indeed, it almost as slow as *me*…and I’m Welsh.
Might I suggest that you replace said image with, say, an enormous picture of my latest novella, which is now available from all bad bookstores and possiby a few skips? :D
Haha, will a review suffice? ;)
xxx
Ps Please forgive the typos in my last missive – I’m under duress because my book is being outsold by ‘A Letter To Justin Bieber’s Hair’:
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/17579
Oh crikey! x
A great evocative post. I enjoyed it a lot.
Aww, thanks so much! x
Gawd, those satin socks are a bit rubbish – you’d have to have very long toes to wear them…oh wait, they’re gloves. :D
Ps I watched that BBC adaptation of ‘The Turn of the Screw’, chief. Sadly, it was terrifyingly boring. It didn’t help that Miles looked like Boris Johnson; I kept imagining him riding a bike across the Bly estate.
Hah, I know. I actually have got socks like that but they make my toes feel funny! ;)
Oh dear, that sounds very terrible. I think I’ll give that a miss then!
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mcRr3B03QgQ/S2YJuA4n_LI/AAAAAAAADRM/GjkLcVuinzs/s320/Miles.jpg
Boris
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00667/boris-johnson-bike_667500n.jpg
Miles
I adore the outfit – not sure I’d have many occasions to wear an outfit like that though. :/
Do you have any tips on recreating Downton Abbey hairstyles? I especially love Lady Sybil’s hairstyle, wish I could do mine like that.
It’s lovely isn’t it?
Ooh, I have a friend who knows all about that sort of thing – I’ll ask her to do a guest post maybe? I don’t think it is especially tricky though! :)
Re Downton
Fabulous ideas for evening outfit. Have you any tips as to how one could put together something more suited to work/daywear?
Dear Madame Guillotine,
could you do a post on the Downton Abbey ladies’ hair styles? I do quite adore their different hair “do-s” for different occasions…
Thanks very much,
(Lady ;)) Emma!
P.S. Love you website! <3
Thanks so much! x
I am thinking about how best to do this but am definitely looking into making a post about Downton hair! Are you in the US? How are you liking the series so far? :)
hi, i love your website, and i adore downton abbey i love programs and films that are based in the victorian/ewardian era. have u done something about hairstyles yet? as i am despereate to know more so i can do myown hair like that haha.
it would be really helpful if you included how to pin up hair using short hair, because i have short hair myself but i really want to pin it up <3
lots of love Becky xx
p.s. sorry for posting my comment twice its just i wrote the wrong email address on the other on and i wanted to correct it x :)
Hi, I absolutely love your website!! I was looking for a victorian style prom dress after watching downtown abbey and this is absolutely perfect! However I can not find the dress you have posted here. Could you possibly give me the link? Mary <3 xx
Hello! It was on the Topshop site last Autumn when Downton was being shown in the UK but isn’t there any more. It was from the Kate Moss limited edition range though, if that is any help? :)
Haha thanks I figured as much I did a little hunting though and found a beautiful rental gown I can use. :) Love your site!! Mary
Glad that you found something! Did you go in Downton Abbey style in the end? :)
And thank you! xxx
Did you ever do a post on how to create the hairstyles of Downton Abbey? I am another fan who would love to learn how to put up my hair this way. So lovely.
I demand it all.
Lovely lovely lovely lovely!!
Yes please on the hairstyles!!! I have very long hair and would LOVE to recreate Lady Sybil’s hair!! Do I need a maid??? :)
–a BIG fan in the US!!
Does anyone have a link as to how I could recreate Sybil’s hairstyle? I’ve done some screenshots, but can’t figure it out….
What a treat to find your blog…I came across it while trolling for Downton Abbey stuff on google.
Great job recreating the outfit. I just posted about Lady Mary’s clothes on my blog. If only I could dress like that every day…sigh…
Barbara
Thanks very much! I wish I could dress like that too! :)