I’d known about the Downton Abbey Costume Exhibit at one of my favorite museums for months. And when do I remember to go? The very last day before it leaves the museum. Which meant if I wanted to see it at all, I would have to go that day, the day of a snowstorm. Now, as most in Northeastern America might agree, this winter has been a long and difficult one, but my love for historical costumes and this museum urged me to go no matter the weather. So my sister and I started shoveling.
We finished clearing the driveway and unburied my car in laughter, urgency, and shivers. I had put on an outfit of vintage wool that wasn’t exactly Downton fashion, but it was warm!
At the museum, I learned two things. One: the snow did not deter anyone else from visiting the museum as I had anticipated, the parking lot was busy as usual. And two: my camera battery was nearing its untimely death. I’ll spoil it right now for you, it miraculously lasted the entire day while on red, even in the cold.
Now, let me take your hat and coat and welcome you to Downton Abbey:
I believe this purple gown on the left was worn by Dame Maggie Smith herself. I was practically giddy standing in front of it!
Before we go further, I must earnestly confess that I’ve never seen a full episode of Downton Abbey. I don’t know why, but of all the eras in the last 200 years, post-Edwardian fashion is one of my least favorite. I love Edwardian fashion, give me Gibson Girl galore! And then I also love 1930s fashion and on, but what comes in between was a strange twenty years of abruptly changing dress lengths and silhouettes, like a battle between the old and the new. And I personally can’t stand the idea of a hobble skirt; I wouldn’t want to wear anything I couldn’t run in. But each new fashion trend soon gave way to more practical designs in the end. Shorter skirts, less corsetry, lighter materials, more freedom for movement. And I know there’s a big difference in fashion between the first and last seasons of Downton, and while I didn’t necessarily like the heavily beaded mid-twenties styles, there were many gowns on display that I adored, like this sidesaddle riding habit below.
Additionally, I do love the series’ soundtrack, written by John Lunn, and have for years. I’m listening to it now! It’s accompanied my life during many a time: writing, driving, doing farm work, sitting at a window and contemplating the existence (or lack) of joy during the dark and depressive depths of winter. . . um, and stuff like that.
I like the lace and color of this one! And the museum put so much effort into many of the display sets; it made it easy to imagine I was in a stately English mansion. Some of the costumes were true vintage gowns, selected carefully for the series, while others were original designs by Susannah Buxton (season 1), Rosalind Ebbutt (season 2), Caroline McCall (seasons 3 & 4), and Anna Mary Scott Robbins (season 5 & the feature films).
Even though I’ve never seen Downton, many characters’ outfits were worn by people I did know from other shows and movies. It was amazing to see costumes worn by Shirley MacLaine, Lily James, Penelope Wilton, and of course Maggie Smith, all of whom I love.
And in doing some Downton research for this post (okay, watching YouTube videos) the more I see, the more I might become interested in watching? What are some of the best episodes to get me hooked? Anyone have any favorites that are a must watch? I’m looking for suggestions!
And this above would undoubtedly be my attire and position if I lived at Downton Abbey, a scullery maid at best.
Unrelated, I absolutely love the vibes and ambience of museums. Quiet but exciting. And this stairway in the museum has always been a favorite of mine. It’s also in a previous post I wrote about a different exhibit, Katharine Hepburn film and TV costumes.
*whispers* “I want to take all of these and put them in my room.”
The rest of the museum had its usual exhibits, but we only got to a few of them before it was time to venture outside to an absolute wonderland!
Narnia anyone?
This was right around the time we stumbled upon a group of ghost hunters bundled up and following their phones with what seemed like some satanic version of Pokémon go. So we left saying “not today” and took a lovely drive around the city and bought some snacks to enjoy.
At the first sight of a fresh falling snowflake, my sister and I decided it was time to head home. The drive was slow and slippery and frightening at times. The squalls had turned the roads white, erasing all possibilities of seeing the yellow line. At home I couldn’t make it up my street and started sliding backwards into both lanes, tires spinning, prayers abundant. But finally, my little 2003 sedan maneuvered back down the hill safely and we took a flatter route home. Of course, the shoveling job we’d done earlier was all for naught. I am quite tired of the snow. I think it can go. Time for Spring, isn’t it? *checks watch*
(only 39 days left!)
So please send your Downton episode recommendations! And hopefully I can find a place to watch it free somewhere?
And if you could pick, which costume above would you choose to have? (I would choose the riding habit)
Simply Megan Joy 