A Comprehensive Costume Guide
Here’s a full guide to recreating the Downton Abbey look with costume ideas for all genders and social classes — perfect for themed events, parties, or even stage productions. The show spans the Edwardian through the 1920s, so the styles shift slightly, but these ideas capture the essence.
👑 High Class / Aristocracy
Women (Ladies, Socialites, Heiresses):
- Daywear:
- Long skirts with high waists, neutral colored blouses with lace or embroidery, tailored jackets.
- Wide-brimmed hats decorated with feathers, bows, ribbon, or flowers.
- Evening gowns:
- Flowing silk or satin gowns with empire or dropped waists.
- Beaded embellishments, velvet or knitted wraps, long gloves, and tiaras or jeweled hair combs.
- Accessories:
- Opera gloves, strings of pearls or long beaded necklaces complimenting the dress, long cigarette holders, beaded handbags.
- Great question — the country attire for Downton Abbey’s aristocratic women (when they were at Downton rather than in London high society) is a very distinct look. It’s practical, but still elegant and well-tailored. Here’s a breakdown:
🌿 Country Attire for Downton Abbey Women
Day Dresses & Skirts
- Style: Long skirts (ankle or mid-calf) with tailored blouses or shirtwaists.
- Fabrics: Tweed, wool, or heavy cotton — more durable than the silks used in town.
- Colors: Earth tones, plaids, checks, or muted florals (to blend with outdoor settings).
Outerwear
- Jackets & Coats:
- Riding jackets in tweed or wool, fitted at the waist.
- Long belted coats for walking or hunting.
- Capes or cloak-style wraps (seen in cooler seasons).
- Country Tweeds: Matching skirt-and-jacket sets were very fashionable.
Footwear – Sturdy boots — lace-up leather boots suitable for walking, riding, or outdoor work. Practical heels — chunkier than delicate evening shoes.
Headwear – Wide-brimmed felt or straw hats for day walks.
Riding hats (hard domed caps, sometimes with veils) for horse riding. Simple cloche hats appeared later in the 1920s
Accessories –
- Gloves: Leather riding gloves or soft day gloves.
- Scarves/Neckwear: Silk neckerchiefs or cravats tucked into blouses.
- Walking sticks or riding crops (depending on activity).
- Hairstyles:
- Neatly pinned hair, often under a hat.
- More relaxed than evening hairstyles, but still structured.
This look is essentially Edwardian-meets-rural-chic — practical for riding, walking, and hunting, but still unmistakably upper class.
Men (Lords, Heirs, Gentlemen):
- Daywear:
- Three-piece suits (often grey, tweed, or herringbone).
- Waistcoats, pocket watches, bowler or homburg hats.
- Formal evening:
- Black tailcoat and white tie with stiff front shirt.
- Patent shoes, white gloves and cuff links.
- Country attire:
- Tweed jackets, plus fours (knee breeches), flat or newsboy caps, hunting boots.
🏡 Middle Class / Professionals (Doctors, Chauffeurs, Land Agents)
Women:
- Practical but fashionable dresses, calf to ankle length.
- Fewer embellishments than aristocracy but still structured and smart.
- Cloche hats or simple felt hats by the 1920’s.
Men:
- Lounge suits in muted colors.
- Bow ties or ties, soft-collared shirts.
- Less rigid formality than upper class.
Middle Class / Professionals: Achieving Understated Elegance
- – Women’s essential wardrobe pieces: Practical but stylish dresses, cloche hats that signify the shift towards a more liberated female style.
- – Men’s attire: The appeal of lounge suits and ties with a touch of casual professionalism.
🍽️ Servants (Valets, Butlers, Footmen, Chauffeurs)
Valets / Butlers:
- Black morning coats, waistcoats, white shirt with stiff collars.
- Black tie or bow tie.
- Polished shoes, always immaculate.
Footmen:
- Distinctive livery: matching jackets and trousers, sometimes with tails.
- White gloves, polished buttons, and crisp shirts.
- Hair slicked neatly.
Chauffeurs:
- Double-breasted uniform jackets, peaked cap, leather gloves.
🧹 Housemaids, Kitchen Staff, Cooks
Housemaids:
- Black dresses with long sleeves and high collars.
- White aprons (pinafore style), caps or frilled headpieces.
- Simple, sturdy shoes.
Kitchen Maids / Cooks:
- Plain cotton dresses with full aprons.
- White caps or headscarves.
- Functional and durable fabrics.
🎩 Extra Details to Elevate the Look
- The Downton Abbey look is all about the details — those finishing touches that immediately signal whether someone is “upstairs” (aristocracy) or “downstairs” (servants), and whether it’s a daytime country stroll, grand evening dinner, or hard work in the kitchens. Here’s how to elevate the look for each group:
- Hairstyles:
- Women: Edwardian waves, pinned curls, finger waves (1920s).
- Men: Neatly parted and slicked hair, often with pomade.
- Makeup:
- Early 1910s: natural tones.
- By the 1920s: darker lips, kohl eyeliner, rouge.
- Props:
- Aristocrats: opera glasses, lorgnettes, evening fans, cigars.
- Servants: trays, silver teapots, polishing cloths.
Servants: The Quintessential Behind-the-Scenes Style
- – Valets and Butlers: The iconic aesthetic of black morning coats and polished footwear.
- – Footmen and Chauffeurs: Insights on distinctive livery including matching trousers and jackets.
- – Housemaids and Kitchen Staff: Functional wardrobe emphasizing simplicity and utility with black dresses and white pinafores, or neutral colored long dresses with long sleeves and a full apron for the kitchen staff.
👑 Upstairs – Aristocracy & High Society (Elevating Elegance with Wealth)
Women
- Jewelry: Layered pearls, jeweled brooches, tiaras, or delicate drop earrings.
- Hairpieces: Decorative combs, bandeaux, feathered or jeweled headbands (especially 1920’s).
- Hairstyle: Update your hairstyle and makeup to mirror the authentic Downton Abbey style. Distinguish between Edwardian finger waves and the flapper influence of the 1920’s.
- Gloves: Always — short for day, opera-length for evening.
- Makeup: Subtle for 1910s, bolder lips and kohl eyes by 1920’s.
- Props: A lace fan, beaded clutch, lorgnette glasses, or a cigarette holder.
- Posture & Movement: Slow, graceful movements; poised posture signals refinement.
Men
- Accessories: Pocket watch with chain, cufflinks, signet ring.
- Headwear: Top hat for formal, bowler/flat cap for day.
- Shoes: Highly polished black patent leather for evening, brown leather brogues or boots for country.
- Props: Walking cane, cigar case, monocle (optional, but dramatic).
- Posture: Straight-backed, controlled gestures, deliberate manner.
🏡 Middle Class / Professionals (Refined but less lavish)
Women
- Accessories: Modest jewelry (cameos, lockets, pearls).
- Hats: Simple cloche or felt hats.
- Handbag: Medium-sized leather handbag.
- Shoes: T-strap or Mary Jane style.
Men
- Details: Neckties (not white tie), pocket square, flat newsboy cap.
- Practical Props: A leather satchel, notebook, or work tools (for doctors/land agents).
🍽️ Downstairs – Servants (Defined by uniformity, neatness, and practicality)
Women (Maids, Cooks, Housekeepers)
- Caps & Headwear: Lace caps for housemaids, practical bonnets or scarves in the kitchen.
- Aprons: Crisp and always spotless. Add lace trim for higher-ranking maids (lady’s maid/housekeeper).
- Shoes: Plain, sturdy, lace-up and polished.
- Props: Dusting cloth, silver tray, tea set, keys (housekeeper’s keyring is iconic).
Men (Butlers, Footmen, Valets, Chauffeurs)
- White Gloves: Essential for footmen and butlers.
- Shirt Collars: Stiff, starched collars for formality.
- Props: Silver tray, wine decanter, polishing cloth (butlers/footmen); cap and driving gloves for chauffeurs.
- Posture: Hands behind back, always attentive, formal stance.
🌿 Country Attire Elevation (for all classes)
- Ladies Upstairs: Add riding crop, field binoculars, hunting gloves, jodpurs, tweed jacket, or a fur stole over a tweed skirt and button up blouse.
- Gentlemen Upstairs: Flat newsboy cap, hunting tweeds, walking stick, leather gloves and leather boots.
- Servants Outdoors: Practical capes, knitted shawls, or aprons over simpler work dresses and flat shoes.
✨ The Secret Sauce:
It’s not just clothing — it’s:
Accessories (pearls vs. plain apron).
Props (opera glasses vs. polishing cloth)
Posture & Demeanor (graceful vs. dutiful).
Conclusion: Mixing Layers for Authentic Charm
✨ The magic of Downton Abbey is the contrast between upstairs glamour and downstairs practicality. Mixing these layers at a themed event gives a rich, authentic feel.
🕰️ Downton Abbey Costume Guide (Affordable Modern Substitutes Checklist)
Meanwhile, here are some ideas in this book available today at Amazon – shop for it now. For the die hard fans you can also purchase an array of gifts, memorabilia and DVD’s right here.
👑 High Class / Aristocracy
Women (Ladies & Socialites)
✔ Long maxi dress in satin, silk, or chiffon (look for evening gowns or bridesmaid dresses in jewel tones – mid 70’s styles can be refashioned). Scroll through these styles ranging from plain 1920’s incorporating some edwardian features to all that jazz sparkly numbers here at Amazon today. Classic styles reminicent of the flapper age are selling online at Etsy today.
✔ Costume jewelry: faux pearls, rhinestone brooches, tiaras, or jeweled hair combs. Take your pick at some of these seductive style jewelry accessories today – learn more here.
✔ Long satin gloves (Amazon/party shops). A nice variety of satin gloves are featured in this online store here – shop today.
✔ Shawl or wrap (velvet scarf works). Many beautiful wraps can be found here online at Amazon now.
✔ Hair in pinned curls or faux bob (YouTube tutorials + bobby pins).
✔ Accessories: beaded clutch, feathered headband. These gorgeous purses just blow me away – choose your favourite right here. Feathered headbands a plenty – find yours here today.
Men (Lords & Heirs)
✔ Black suit or tuxedo (borrowed, thrifted, or budget hire). Men’s tuxedo’s in vintage or modern styles selling at Amazon today.
✔ White dress shirt with stiff collar (or wingtip collar substitute). Several styles of men’s formal dress shirts are located here online.
✔ Bow tie or white tie set (cheap online). Bow ties and self ties can be purcashed through Amazon online.
✔ Pocket watch (costume prop or vintage-style accessory). A myriad of styles to choose from with these classic pocket watches – shop yours today.
✔ Shoes: polished black dress shoes. Eye catching men’s black patent leather shoes will certainly impress here at Amazon.
✔ Hat: bowler, top hat, or newsboy cap depending on occasion. From bowler to newsboy to top hats, search for your style here. Upmarket and classic looks can be located here through Etsy online.
🏡 Middle Class / Professionals
Women
✔ Tea-length dress in floral print or solid muted colors. Softer tea length dresses found here online today.
✔ Cardigan or tailored jacket. Long line knitted or chiffon jackets and cardigans sold here at Etsy online.
✔ Simple string of pearls or costume beads. Some beautiful classic pieces here that would delight any lady.
✔ Cloche hat or felt fedora-style hat. Budget friendly cloche hats found today through Amazon online. Classic cloches located online at Etsy today.
✔ T-strap shoes or Mary Janes (modern equivalents from Amazon online).
Men
✔ Everyday 3-piece suit (thrift shops often have older styles). A few vintage inspired suits in tweed are located at Amazon online.
✔ Tie or bow tie (solid or stripes). Many bow ties to choose online, here are some examples.
✔ Cap: flat cap or fedora. Flat caps are plenty – take a look at these varieties.
✔ Shoes: brown or black leather (or affordable Oxfords).
🍽️ Servants (Butlers, Valets, Footmen, Chauffeurs)
Butlers / Valets
✔ Black suit jacket or morning coat substitute. A variety can be chosen right here at Amazon online.
✔ White shirt with black tie/bow tie. Black bow ties or self bow ties located online at Amazon.
✔ Plain black trousers. Trousers with pleats or without are selling through Amazon online.
✔ Polished black shoes.
✔ White gloves (costume shops online).
Footmen
✔ Black or dark suit.
✔ White shirt, plain black tie.
✔ White gloves.
✔ Optional: gold buttons or decorative waistcoat (can DIY with shiny craft buttons – here).
Chauffeurs
✔ Black or grey suit jacket. Stylish grey suits are found online at Amazon today.
✔ Black peaked cap (Amazon online, often under “chauffeur” or “vintage” costume hats).
✔ Black leather (or faux leather) gloves. A wide selection of black gloves to choose from here.
✔ Driving goggles (optional, eBay/Amazon shop).
🧹 Housemaids, Kitchen Staff, Cooks
Housemaids
✔ Black dress (long-sleeve if possible, thrifted or online).
✔ White apron (can DIY with plain fabric). Classic period style aprons online at Etsy today.
✔ White lace headband or frilly maid’s cap (party shops). Authentic frilly maids caps available to purchase here online.
✔ Low black flats. Assorted styles located online here at Amazon – shop today.
Cooks / Kitchen Staff
✔ Plain cotton dress or tunic. Plain styles are found online at Etsy today.
✔ White apron (full coverage). Many vintage styles of aprons – learn more here.
✔ White cap or headscarf. Some style available online – search through to find yours today.
✔ Simple, sturdy shoes (black lace, slip-ons or loafers). Find your perfect “downton” shoes now online.
✅ Affordable Modern Substitutes (Checklist Style)
- Long A-line or maxi skirt in brown, grey, or plaid.
- Fitted blouse (white or cream button-down works).
- Tweed-style blazer or tailored jacket (thrift shops are perfect).
- Lace-up boots (combat or Victorian-style).
- Felt fedora, floppy hat, or wide-brim hat (swap feathers or ribbons for authenticity).
- Leather gloves (thrifted or faux).
- Silk-look scarf tied at the neck.
🎩 Final Touches & Props
- Aristocrats: opera glasses, lace fan, faux fur stole, cigar holder.
- Middle Class: leather satchel, book, work gloves.
- Servants: silver tray, tea set, polishing cloth.
- Kitchen staff: rolling pin, wooden spoon, mixing bowl.
✨ Tip for Affordability:
- Thrift shops are goldmines for blouses, long skirts, cardigans, jackets, and old-fashioned shoes – try specialty vintage shops rather than usual charity shops.
- Costume jewelry & gloves are super cheap online or at dollar stores.
- DIY aprons & caps are easy with fabric remnants or even use pillowcases.
I hope you enjoyed my version on how to get the Downton Abbey look, it certainly has brought me a lot of joy reminscing he series again.
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