Dresses of Downton Abbey: Wedding Edition
Downton Abbey has had several weddings over its six seasons (spoiler alert, American readers, but did you really think such a warm and fuzzy show would end with Edith and Mary unhitched?), so let’s go through the dresses, shall we?
Lady Mary’s dress for her wedding with Matthew Crawley at the beginning of season 3, which I honestly find disappointingly un-glamorous. There’s beading and lace, yes, and in person probably plenty of it, but it comes off rather too subtly on camera. The straight neckline does nothing for her, although Michelle Dockery is capable of pulling it off, nor does the semi-cummerbund sash thing at the dropped waist. I don’t like the shapelessness that waistline gives her, which is the fault of its 1920 timestamp, but I still feel like something rather more flattering could have been managed.
Lady Edith’s dress, a few episodes later, is much more glamorous, honestly. The neckline suits her much better, and the shape of the cuff is quite nice, and the embellishment on the train is gorgeous. While I don’t personally like the asymmetrically draped front and awkward beaded thing on the left hip, it’s an interesting detail, the sort of thing I would compliment someone on but never wear myself. Again, it suffers from 1920 bag-fashion, when women were strapping their curves down, but the draping of the bodice gives it a bit more shape than Lady Mary’s.
Lady Rose wore both her wedding getups the same day in 1924, the pretty blue suit with the interesting side gusseted skirt on the left to her courthouse wedding, and the lovely gown on the right to her church blessing. The gown is actually a historical piece from 1918, never worn, and found by the costume team, to Lily James’ delight. Mine, too–I love the fern embellishment carried through her corsage, the glimmer and glint that would have looked stunning in gaslight as well as electric, and the train is the perfect length for glamor and expense without excess. The empire design suits James beautifully, and gives her the straight silhouette of the period but avoids the baggy effect of her cousins’ dresses.
Lovely heirloom lace detailing on the courthouse dress, I like how it’s standing up on its own, and paired with a nicely coordinated lacy hat.
Mrs. Hughes’ lavender wedding dress, which suits her very nicely, and very nicely embellished velvet coat; nice choice, Mrs. Hughes.
Mary’s cream suit for her second wedding in season six, about which I have mixed feelings, and her hair, about which I have entirely negative feelings, because what the hell, woman, crispy frizz has never looked good on anyone, ever. The skirt has great movement, and the detailing on the jacket is lovely. I like the length of it, which is also correct for this period, but again, dropped waist = shapeless clothing, and while I appreciate the accuracy of the costuming and would be bitching were it not the case (really, go Downton Costume Team, kudos to you guys that I can’t spot which pieces are vintage finds and which are original pieces made for the show), from a purely aesthetic point of view, I just don’t like it.
Love the neckline of the silk shirt, nice choice, Lady Mary.
Actually my favorite Downton wedding dress, Edith’s second, in the season six Christmas special that wrapped up the show. Loving the slight v of the lace neckline, nicely carried through with the bracelet-length sleeves as well (see below), and well-accessorized with the pearl choker.
The headpiece is a bit odd, and the bouquet a bit much, but the dress manages to keep a 1925 straight silhouette without descending into bagitude, nicely done.
What about these outfits do you guys like or hate?
