Downton Abbey

Now that I have grabbed your attention with that title, let me continue by sharing a few photos from my recent visit to the costumes of Downton Abbey exhibition at the Winterthur museum in Delaware.

The costumes covered everyone from the maids to the duchess; the footman to the duke. The display took you from morning through to evening, showing the changes of clothes  for those 'upstairs' throughout the day.

 

 

This is what a maid wears to a garden party.

This is what a Lady wears to the same garden party.

 

Lady Edith's wedding dress

-who noticed all that beading on the train when she was being left at the alter?

 

 

 

The Dowager Countess of Grantham

-who else?

The dress was very complex with heavy beading, tulle , lace and silk combined together.

 

 

That Battenberg jacket......

 

The top of this dress is an original vintage piece. The skirt created to go with it. From a distance a good match-close up the embroidery on the skirt was no match for the finer version on the top!

 

The infamous harem pants. The band around the chest and the sleeves are vintage silk fabrics, the bottom added to create the pants. The top has now started to show signs of damage.

 Lady Sybil did one twirl to many with the chauffeur maybe?

 

The neckline on this dress is shell stitched and beaded-now there's thought.....

 

The costumes are on display at Winterthur, the home of the du Pont family until January 4, 2015.

 

The next season of Downton Abbey starts that evening- talk about timing!