Downton Abbey Fashion Inspiration

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. 

Do you watch Downton Abbey?  Which character's closet would you  most like to raid?