TV Style Icons deux

Period drama's can provide some nice stylin'- especially in this hectic modern world with mass unemployment and malaise, and nothing to entertain us but 100's of TV channels and a wardrobe revolving around thongs and Ugg boots.  Not surprising that looking back at a past sophistication ( doesn't matter that much when it seems- currently the 50's and 70's and in the high street stores, while the country feels like the 80's with the mass demonstrations against the government matched only by the mass support for a royal wedding) is in right now and we all developed a love of the early 20th century with Downton Abbey. 

The programme itself was slow and dull with rather dull or paternalistic characters (the attitude of the main character being that you should be nice to your servants because 'we all have our parts to play'- meaning those at the bottom should be pleased that their strong shoulders are holding up those at the top of the pyramid, and we should all stop whining).  But the costumes were rather lovely- simple silhouettes  with nice detail elements, and an empire waist is everyone's friend.  Observe:

Dressed Up Glam

Coordinating Summer Looks

 

Depressing fact: the servants of DA dress better than I do now!

Unfortunately, there aren't many pictures of the servants (despite nonsense reports that they provide the drama in the drama they are largely ignored).  Equally, the two younger sisters are also overlooked in the promo pics, and I quite liked some of the mean red haired sisters looks, but couldn't bring myself to watch the programme again for stills of her.

Maggie Smith

 As usual I'm totally behind the trends and it was this time last year (i.e when DA was actually on TV!) that clothes were in the stores that would allow you to emulate the fashion, now not so much.  Fashion is so fickle.