If You're Tired of Style, You Are Tired of Life
Period dressing for spring & a love letter to costume designers
We are currently in a world of Bridgerton inspiration, but may I propose an alternative? Downton Abbey. (No, I have not watched the new season of Bridgerton, but I’m sure the costumes are stunning as usual, albeit not the most accurate.) Bear with me during this article - I’ve spent weeks putting all of this together and sometimes I simply cannot edit down - it’s a long one! But along with a breakdown of the looks, I spent way too much time on eBay and Etsy hunting down pieces that are 1920s but can be worn just as easily today. And despite it’s long run, most of these references are from the earlier seasons, because otherwise this article would be five times as long.
I am the type of person who needs background noise while I am working. I’ve tried podcasts. I’ve tried audio books. But I always come back to long-running TV shows (and the oh-so fabulous next episode autoplay). With 8+ seasons I can go a few weeks without picking something new. But the biggest selling point of TV? I don’t really feel like I am missing out on anything once I inevitably tune it out. I love podcasts, but with every venture into them I am overly ambitious and pick things that interest me - this sounds like a good idea, but the whole point is to learn and engage with the conversation. Well, once I start working, it becomes white noise. I’ll get to the end of the episode and realize I did not hear a word of what was said. The same goes for audiobooks - I’ll be halfway into a book and realize I have absolutely no idea who any of the characters and I am suddenly wondering whether I should be considered that Sarah killed Mary (in theory, I have no idea if those are characters in a real book). So, TV it is. Music is a given - I cannot leave the house without at least one pair of headphones. But I’m talking more in the realm of personal projects and working from home. I am a professional! Music only in the office!
But back to the point: the most recently culprit of the background binge watch was Downton Abbey. I went into this with no expectations. The only reference point I had was that my grandmother used to watch it. And could I really enjoy a show about british monarchy that my grandmother loved? Turns out, I can. Less for the plotlines and more for the absolutely incredible costuming.
To bring it back to the title of this article, Carson once said, “If you’re tired of style, you are tired of life.” And one thing the ladies of Downton Abbey always proved was that no matter how messy their lives were, their outfits were anything but. No matter their financial state, they always wore the best that money could buy. They wore the most current silhouettes, often finished with trims, hand work, beading, and timeless accessories. And now I cannot stop thinking about their looks. The series takes place from 1912 to 1926, and while the time period is short in the grand scheme of things, the attention to detail throughout the two decades shows how the fashion world reacted to the politics and current events of the time. And despite sometimes dreary backdrops of wartime and unrest, this never stopped the family from dressing for dinner and their daily events.
Morning Dress
I wish I looked this good for breakfast with my family. From the dainty lace collars, to the perfectly casual drape of the knitwear, to the tiny button and bauble details, every piece the ladies wore was perfectly tailored and styled.
Some of my favorite tops:
And for dresses:
Daytime Dress
Be it a simple stroll around the grounds or attending a horse derby, the family, specifically Lady Mary, never missed the opportunity to look like they had stepped off the pages of Vogue. As Maybel once asked Mary during a horse race, “Then why turn up looking like a cross between a Vogue fashion plate and a case of dynamite?” And Mary’s response? “Well, I can’t make it too easy for him.”
For those who plan to take strolls through the park on their lunch break:
Evening Dress
The pièce de résistance of Downton Abbey is hands down the evening looks. The family changes an inordinate number of times per day (according to our schedule, which often includes a day-to-night outfit hack), but the looks that I looked forward to the most were those they would don for dinner. The intricacies of each look truly showed that the costume designers paid attention to every last detail. From layered laces to hand beading to the most luxurious fabrics - silks, velvets, chiffons - the ladies truly shone around the dining table. The best part? They were outfit repeaters! You could tell that each character had a favorite look - Lady Mary wore her red beaded gown a number of times, and the dress pictured in the bottom left (below) was featured in almost every episode of Season 2.
If black is your color:
If you prefer something a bit brighter & textured:
And if you want something “easier”:
It’s All in the Details
I applaud all of the attention to detail that the costume designers tirelessly applied throughout the show. Characters re-wore pieces, as was typical if you had to constantly dress for every occasion. These characters could not run down to the local mall if they needed a dress. Dresses took months to design and create, and so they were well loved and no expense was spared. My favorite part of the costumes? The small updates to the silhouettes. The top left photo - the collar was not just straight across, but instead comes to two points. Buttons weren’t just a straight line down the front. They were grouped together to add detail - both beauty and function. And Lady Mary’s jacket collars are one of my favorite elements.
During this very time-consuming compilation I also stumbled across a good number of stunning vintage bridal gowns. And as wedding season is quickly approaching, be on the lookout for a vintage bridal & wedding guest article. Why buy another Revolve dress when you could buy a hand beaded silk number for the same price?
And with that, I encourage you to go on your own Downton Abbey journey, if not for the drama then definitely for the costumes.
This is really fun, and I feel so validated in my background tv show while I work from home too. I don’t have to look up once, it really is like listening to a slow audiobook to drown out other distractions.