Monday, July 21, 2014

A Day at Downton Abbey - Part 3

Today we're venturing below stairs to the servants' hall.  The costumes here aren't as elaborate, which is good because I have very little time tonight to write about them.

There are, as with the other costumes, things you don't notice as they flash by on screen -- what a nice print they used for the house maids' day dresses, the fact that Daisy's droopy little apron has a print on it, that O'Brien's outfit has such elaborate trims, and that Mrs. Hughes is actually quite a sharp dresser.

And then, of course, there's Mrs. Patmore.

Mrs. Hughes - I love the subtle plaid in her skirt, the trim on
the skirt panels and at the neckline.  (And the replica of the bells from
the servants' hall)

Maids' uniform - day.  Printed cotton dress with a relatively
plain white apron - this one has two lines of insertion on the front.

Maids - evening or party uniform.  Black dress with
white apron.  Lace on the aprons (each one pictured is
different) and lace at the collar.

Our girl Daisy, queen among kitchen maids.  A plain dress, but
with contrast collar and cuffs, and a light print apron with
tiny, sad pockets.

Mrs. Patmore -the dress is very plain, just a line of white at
the collar.  I like the gathers at the shoulder seam to
accommodate Mrs. P's rather substantial bust.  And I don't think
she'd object to the kitchen they gave her, either.

Miss O'Brien.  How we don't miss her.  I overexposed this
one just slightly so that you could see the difference in
color between the fabrics, and also the tiny ruffles along the
edge.  Who knew Miss O'Brien had interesting clothes?


2 comments:

Lyndle said...

Lovely! You're right, these do just flash past. If you'd asked me, I would have said Mrs Hughes wore black unless she was going out. That dress is very interesting, i'd wear it myself, if it wasn't for the underwear! Thanks again for posting - this is great!

Marjie said...

I have so enjoyed your pictures of the Downton Abbey costumes. Obviously, I'm a big fan of the show. And you're right; who knew the servants' clothes were so relatively elaborate?