Downton Style

As Downton Abbey enters its third season, the costumes take a delicious turn for the languid shapes and pastoral colours of the early 1920s, leaving behind the drab, utilitarian styles of the First World War that occupied most of the episodes of the previous season.

This was a pivotal moment in fashion as women got rid of restrictive corsets, waistlines dropped to skim the hips, dresses hung fluidly allowing for more mobility and hemlines crept up daringly above the ankle. Accessories also amped up the luxury factor with lengthy ropes of pearls, bejewelled hair bands brought attention to the short Marcel waves, and hats became more festively decorated with florals and feathers. This all laid the foundation for the outrageous styles of the flappers that was to come later in the decade.

But almost a century later, the fashion world is still in love with the refined elegance and romantic style of this era. For example, the look has been a perennial of the Ralph Lauren ethos. This season, cloche hats, jewelled headbands and long necklaces get a modern update and make a return.