Downton Abbey is my latest obsession. (I'm a sucker for historical dramas...) I especially love the Crawley sisters: Mary, Edith, and Sybil. They get to wear the most gorgeous dresses! Their elegant vintage style got me thinking about how to translate a little Downton Abbey glamor into a modern wardrobe. And here's what I came up with:
Above: A frivolous fete calls for dressing to the nines. How can you not swoon over the Crawley sisters' gowns? I tracked down modern dresses that emulate each style. Mary's slinky ivory gown becomes a sexy little silk number. Sybil's embellished blue gown becomes a blue satin shift with a gold necklace that replicates the gown's beading. Edith's grayish taupe gown becomes a jazzy, art-deco dress.
Above: Mary's ladylike dress features nautical stripes and crocheted details around the neckline. Sweet and simple, it's a perfect look for Spring! For a modern take, I added a navy belt to a sailor-inspired frock. Crocheted accents move from the neck down to the toes with a pair of Toms. A floral handbag offsets the stripes. And a pearl necklace and straw hat complete the summery look.
Above: Downton Abbey fashion gets a workplace-worthy update here. For Edith's look, pair a chiffon, floral-printed, black blouse with a black skirt and t-strap heels. A simple gold heart-shaped locket is a lovely accessory. Mary's look is my favorite to transition into the office. Recreate it with a plain white tee, high-waisted gray pencil skirt, mauve cardigan, pearl necklace, and vintage pumps.
Above: I modernized Sybil's beautiful blue dress for a night out on the town. This much-shorter, one-shoulder number is that same shade of sky blue... and its draped, chiffon skirt is flowy just like Sybil's. Cinch the waist with a gold belt and show off art nouveau-esque accessories.
Above: I got a little sidetracked with this one. Lavinia isn't one of the Crawley sisters, but I love this velvet dress she wears. Get a similar look with a long sleeve, forest green wrap dress. Wear dark jade earrings and heels with a hint of velour that pays homage to Lavinia's all-velvet gown. Don't forget a gold-encrusted hairband to top it all off.
Above are three more formal looks for an especially swanky occasion. With Edith, this little black dress features the same black-lace-over-gold effect on the bodice. Sybil's silver-on-top and navy-on-bottom gown has a dead-ringer in this strapless dress. And this long sleeve, lace navy dress possesses all the same elegance as Mary's.
I saved my favorite for last with the above outfit. On Mary's walk with Matthew, I couldn't get over the lovely simplicity of her ensemble---the lacy white blouse and grayish sage skirt. She looks simply stunning. I recreated it as an office-ready outfit.
Comments
Um, this post is phenomenal.
Anyway, do you mind if I ask where you found some of these items? I have the budget of a kid running a lemonade stand, but a girl can pretend, right? Thanks!
Thanks!
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Ruth
OH! Director