How To Get The Downton Abbey Look

How to Get the Downton Abbey Look: 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 and 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 1920s.
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)

👑 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).
✔ Costume jewelry: faux pearls, rhinestone brooches, tiaras, or jeweled hair combs.
✔ Long satin gloves (Amazon/party shops).
✔ Shawl or wrap (velvet scarf works).
✔ Hair in pinned curls or faux bob (YouTube tutorials + bobby pins).
✔ Accessories: beaded clutch, feathered headband.

Men (Lords & Heirs)
✔ Black suit or tuxedo (borrowed, thrifted, or budget hire).
✔ White dress shirt with stiff collar (or wingtip collar substitute).
✔ Bow tie or white tie set (cheap online).
✔ Pocket watch (costume prop or vintage-style accessory).
✔ Shoes: polished black dress shoes.
✔ Hat: bowler, top hat, or newsboy cap depending on occasion.

🏡 Middle Class / Professionals

Women
✔ Tea-length dress in floral print or solid muted colors.
✔ Cardigan or tailored jacket.
✔ Simple string of pearls or costume beads.
✔ Cloche hat or felt fedora-style hat.
✔ T-strap shoes or Mary Janes (modern equivalents from Target/Kmart).

Men
✔ Everyday 3-piece suit (thrift shops often have older styles).
✔ Tie or bow tie (solid or stripes).
✔ Cap: flat cap or fedora.
✔ Shoes: brown or black leather (or affordable Oxfords).

🍽️ Servants (Butlers, Valets, Footmen, Chauffeurs)

Butlers / Valets
✔ Black suit jacket or morning coat substitute.
✔ White shirt with black tie/bow tie.
✔ Plain black trousers.
✔ Polished black shoes.
✔ White gloves (cheap costume shops).

Footmen
✔ Black or dark suit.
✔ White shirt, plain black tie.
✔ White gloves.
✔ Optional: gold buttons or decorative waistcoat (can DIY with shiny craft buttons).

Chauffeurs
✔ Black or grey suit jacket.
✔ Black peaked cap (inexpensive online, often under “chauffeur” or “police” costume hats).
✔ Black leather (or faux leather) gloves.
✔ Driving goggles (optional, eBay/costume shops).

🧹 Housemaids, Kitchen Staff, Cooks

Housemaids
✔ Black dress (long-sleeve if possible, thrifted or online).
✔ White apron (can DIY with plain fabric).
✔ White lace headband or frilly maid’s cap (party shops).
✔ Low black flats.

Cooks / Kitchen Staff
✔ Plain cotton dress or tunic.
✔ White apron (full coverage).
✔ White cap or headscarf.
✔ Simple, sturdy shoes (black lace, slip-ons or loafers).

✅ Affordable Modern Substitutes (Checklist Style)

✅ 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.