who knew Lady Edith had such great underwear!
19
Com on Times. More pictures!
59
@Nellie Burns YES
15
I’d love to know where she sourced the Fortuny style fabric...I know there were several small houses that tried to duplicate it and the original Fortuny still exists but I haven’t seen many full length gowns ( true Fortuny pleating as opposed to Miyake’s pleats please or Mary Mac Fadden style). The V neck is a great twist!
21
I love Downton but I loved Upstairs Downstairs even more, because it was FIRST, and Lady Bellamy always looked equally superb to tjhe Downton dames. The quality of every scene was as high as it could go, Upstairs or Downstairs. Surely Downton equals this, BUT....WHY is Upstairs Downstairs constantly ignored in the face of Downton's fame and popularity? UD introduced this genre of a long intimate inside look into a past time, a different culture holding secrets and quests. I think Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins should both be formally thanked by every Downton performer and fan, pun intended. What is the reason for the systemic ignoring of the original inspiration for Downton. Does anyone know?
24
Because Upstairs Downstairs came out 40 or more years ago.
23
I stopped watching this gorgeous series when Anna was brutally, unmercifully assaulted. There was, IMHO, no feasible explanation for this “plot twist” other than to traumatize a female character.
10
@Linda Sheridan:
Really? It was an entirely realistic episode. It wasn't all fun and games and tea and crumpets for these people just because they lived in a rich house in a different era. I thought it added depth to the characters and to the story.
42
@Linda Sheridan I am in line with you, Ms Sheridan. The brutality was gratuitous. Recently I turned on an ITV/British network re-broadcast on PBS. In the first half hour of the film the viewer had to endure her being made love to rather graphically and casually by some new beau, this a woman who sadistically poisoned her own children & countless husbands. My take on it is, the writer's just aren't good enough to keep our interest. Why don't they ask themselves how the classic films from the 1940s still hold us in rapt attention.
7
The writer lifted the entire flower contest scene out of "Mrs. Miniver." When "Downton" first aired, the gasp from those of us who'd seen the classic World War II-era film was audible and commented on.
16
Mary Cockery looks stunning.
8
What Ms.Robbins has bought to these productions is an elegance of vision and the heart of a great artist. Her work is nothing short of spell casting.
30
Thank God Edith finally found happiness.
49
Couldn’t there have been one heavy woman in this cast?
5
Mrs. Patmore the cook? She has access to food. It was a different era. Everyday people worried about getting enough to eat.
26
@M E R
There is: Mrs. Patmore.
9
@M E R
This is typical, the rich aristocrats are thin. There are several ladies in the servants quarters who are full bodied but they don't get the chance to dress up.
12
The movie is a bit lighter weight than I expected, but the costumes are wholly satisfying... delicious. That blue evening gown is stunning, and what a treat to see the jewelry on a huge screen. Now that I know what happens, I may see it again just to enjoy the finery.
34
Rewatching Season 6 (again) in preparation for the movie and I was lucky to see the DA Exhibition, also, in NY. Every component of DA is superb from the smallest detail to the writing, acting, grand settings and sumptuous costumes. Ms. Robbins is a genius designer and her fashions truly make the show. I can't wait to see what she has done in the movie.
12
I have been patiently waiting for the costuming influence of DA to take off on the catwalks. Although there were hints that this might happen in the early years of the series, nothing substantial ever seem to materialize. I understand why inspiration wasn't taken from wardrobes of the Edwardian era, but for the life of me, I don't understand why DA fashion from the 20's has not been reimagined by legacy fashion houses and ready to wear lines. I am not sure that I agree that the dresses of the 20's would be hard to wear. I find the chemise a very contemporary shape and at least as flattering as the 1960-70s trapeze which was seen as ground-breaking at the time and are in still in designer's sketch books today.
Perhaps the movie will be the catalyst for real this time!
30
There should be a nod from Oscar for the fabulous costumes. I saw the movie last night, Sept. 12. It didn’t disappoint.
30
I am intrigued by the opulence of the fashion for this aristocratic family at a time when society was evolving so quickly. While the trailer suggests that the plot revolves around the royal visit, the series addressed the aftermath of the Great War, when the estate was less profitable and staff were leaving for better opportunities. I hope we will see nods to Downton styles for we untitled folk in accessories in the coming months. And what will the men be wearing? As I recall, the dowager countess was a bit taken aback when her son wore a casual tux instead of white tie for dinner.
21
@Lawyermom
I envy you your location, which hosts the Smithsonian's costume collection:
https://amhistory.si.edu/costume/
7
I remember when I was watching the TV show and it moved into the 1920s, how modern and colorful the designs became. People now could walk down the street in these fashions.
39
Having seen the movie on September 12th (yes, a pre-release showing) I can add that fans of the brilliant series, and its costumes will be thoroughly pleased.
The brilliance continues!
47
Having watched many historical epics filmed at different times (e.g. middle ages setting filmed in the 1950s vs. 1970s vs. 1990s), it's fascinating to see how the fashion -- even as it inherently hasn't changed in hundreds of years -- is interpreted differently by each era. For example, just watch the various iterations of Romeo and Julie.
33
As someone who does historical costuming as a hobby, it's near impossible not to let some modern design aspects in. We are of our time, and more often than not, can't get the same materials that would have been used, our undergarments of a slightly different cut.
Personally, I think of Delphos gowns as more of a 1910's thing than 20's. But kudos on the fit - 20's is hard to look flattering in unless the design nails the proportions. It looks like you are going for 1927, right when waistlines were becoming more defined, while still across the hips. Cora is subtly not as in advance of the fashion, keeping the unstructured vibe of the early 20's.
Ha! Just watched the trailer again before hitting submit - yep, 1927.
46
@Jen You know your stuff! Thank you for adding to the article.
9
@Enemy of Crime Says a lot about the quality of the production that I can even do that!
7
I have always found the below 4 distinctive qualities in this series to be as outstanding and equal in importance as they are complimentary and necessary for the entire series to be as magnificent and memoriable as it is:
The writing/story lines
The acting/actors
The music
The costumes
Each play a crucial and key role and how they all weave so smoothly, seamlessly and easily throughout each episode and season is nothing short of shear brilliance.
Such a stunning series. Truly the finest program ever aired on PBS.
80
@Marge Keller Saw the premiere last night. Movie does not disappoint, wardrobe and otherwise! (And clearly leaves an opening for a continuation of the series........)
6