Fashion Historian Fact Checks Downton Abbey's Costumes | Glamour 

I am proud to say that my niece worked on several of series of Downton Abbey, and both of the film's, in the costume department. She spent weeks tracking down authentic garments and had a great time doing it!

One of my favorites things about Downton Abbey was how well they conveyed the changes between pre and postwar fashion and culture.

I'm not surprised in the slightest... Downton was known to be pretty darn close to historical accuracy when it came to costumes

How ironic it was that the beautiful champagne colored beaded gown Lady Rose wore for her wedding reception was not designed for the show, rather it was found in a resale (thrift/charity shop as hey are called across the pond) and worn as it was found ..... not a single thing about the gown was changed. It was breathtaking.

Seen these aristocracy ladies' fashion changes on them through the years in series and movies, bravo for the historical fashion fact and fiction.

Please do these more often! I absolutely adore them and get so excited when I see a new one pop up.

I'd love for Raissa to do more of these, but focusing on the men's ensembles, and the garments worn by the Downton Abbey staff.

I love how accurate Downton is. My sister was like, is it anything like Bridgerton? Uh, not even close sister. Their fashion isn't even anywhere near the period.

The finger wave hairstyle was more commonly created by the hairdresser who used her fingers and a comb to create that notable wave formation on the head after the hair had been drenched in a slimy-feeling finger-wave lotion, and then the hair dried in that form. For many years that finger-waving dexterity test was an important component of the NY State Board Tests required for an applicant to pass to obtain a Cosmetologist license. Perhaps it still is; it was in the late 1970s.

I wish Rose had adopted an orientalist look in Titanic, to show her artistic/rebellious side! Her mother couldn't complain as it was the latest style in Paris!

You can tell Raisa is just happy that is so accurate. I love the series and the fact that they took the time to investigate and actually do a good job just makes it better. I love investing about the fashion in the show.

i had a vintage dress that i wasn’t quite sure how to wear until i saw the exact same dress on Mary in of the tea party scenes early in the show. it was really exciting to finally see how my dress was supposed to be worn.

The clothes in the last movie were STUNNING. Would love to see your take on them - and on the men's clothing too, and the servants!!

The fashion in this show changed my approach to choosing clothing in general. Simply marvelous.

Yay! So happy to see Raissa on your channel again! Her presentation is always informative, not only of the piece itself, but of the progression of fashion and the factors that informed those changes. I could listen to her all day.

So glad to know that their costumes are historically accurate for the most part.

I love Raissa's analysis of costuming; these are always so good. That Fortuny gown! Gorgeous! I'm so surprised that it was loaned for the production!

The costumers on the series were unbelievably talented and one of my favorite parts of the show was the stunning and mesmerizing garments even tho I am no fashionista. I have looked extensively at historical photos of typical British aristocracy and they were overwhelmingly dowdy, outdated and a voluminous rumpled mess. They were very reserved and rarely fashion forward. Edith's wardrobe was my favorite overall but Mary was breathtaking in that taupe and dark blue number with her complexion and dark hair. Sybil's harem pants took my breath away. Great fun and informative episode.

Jullian Fellowes & the rest of the crew earned their A+ in storytelling & costume design.

Finally, i've waited so long for someone to analise downton's costumes

Thank you! A separate compliment to the host Raissa for her beautifully feminine detailed blouse/dress, her choice of hair style, lipstic and nail polish, and a ring, simply awesome style!!!!

Please bring Raissa back to do Gentleman Jack! That's another gold standard show in terms of historical accuracy

Edith’s Cafe Royal gown was beautiful

Lady Mary's angular Bob hairstyle was definitely an influence for Vidal Sassoon. He is often credited with inventing that look but apparently he lifted it right off Louis Brooks head

I love Raissa!!! She was one of my main lockdown finds 💖

Thanks for this informative discussion. I would like to see commentary on the Dowager Duchess’s clothing as the older women seemed to have their own pace of fashion.

Please do a 'downstairs' version for the staff!

I am gonna die! You guys finally did Downton Abbey!

I’m so happy there’s a new episode of this because I’m loving this series 👏🏽

Fortuny is incredible. Should you ever have the opportunity to visit the fortuny museum in Venice you shouldn't miss out on it!

Enjoyed your clear descriptions. Thank you Raissa. More please!

God I love that show and the movies. We need a series about the Dowager's early life.

been waiting for this since the first such video you did! this was so fun

I just finished the series and I loved everything about it but especially the costumes and their hair was so stunning.

This took a while. Thanks for finally getting to Downton Abbey!

I absolutely adore these lessons by Ms. Bretaña. They are delightful, inspiring and informative

Been really into history recently! Love what you do!❤❤❤

I DIDNT KNOW I NEEDED THIS VIDEO UNTIL IT SHOWED UP ON MY FEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Being able to see these costumes in person at Biltmore in Asheville in January of 2020 was the highlight of having watched the entire series with my cousin the year before. They were amazing, the detailed stitching, decoration, care taken to create them, and how stunning they looked in real life was extraordinary. I really appreciated that we were allowed to see them so closely. It was a really special event.

So wonderful to hear such a knowledgeable expert. Thank you!

*OML I LOVED (and still love) DOWNTON ABBEY-!* edit: *btw I even went to the castle lol-*

I love this show. I've rewatched all the seasons 3 times.

I loved the clothes worn on the Downton Abbey TV shows! They were beautiful just beautiful, and very accurate historically.

I'd love it if you did Pride and Prejudice. Or Sense & Sensibility. Or both. :)

I'd love to see the lower class women included next time!

I Loved this video on period pieces of Downtown Abbey. Thank you! ❤️

I love Raissa’s analysis’s. Great to see this one of one of my favourite shows ⭐️

I loved the details.of the costuming in Downton Abbey. I'm guilty of watching something just for the costumes and have gotten teased about it because I'll miss plot points. I would love to hear your opinion on another favorite of mine set in the later 20s, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

While I love the fashion of different bygone eras, the '20s and on is one I wouldn't mind experimenting with. It seems less restrictive but still vintage and fun. This vid also inspires me to rewatch Downton Abbey. I love that show so much.

The first look is a version of a Kameez with Patialas. It was a beautifully constructed garment and Sybil looked fabulous!

Yay! That’s all. Please keep this series up!

Ideas: -Cinderella: Cinderella slave dress and ball gown -Sleeping Beauty: Aurora pendant dress and princess dress (and if it should be blue or pink) -The Little Mermaid: Ariel Pink dress and blue dress -Pocahontas: Pocahontas and John Smith outfits -Tangled: Rapunzel and Gothel dresses -Brave: Merida and Elinor dresses -Moana: Moana and Maui outfits -Raya and the Last Dragon: Raya and Namaari outfits -Encanto: Mirabel, Isabela, Dolores and Luísa dresses

I've been waiting for this!!!

That was wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing. 😊

I love all the Raissa videos!

Love the red dress on the dark haired lady in the series. The historian’s dress is cute too.

Can you do the 2007 movie of Hairspray

Imagine changing your clothes 5-7 times a day. Good lord. 😬

I just discovered a vintage gem I didn't know I had. They were called "unmentionables" when my mother was on her honeymoon in the late 1940s. Kind of a boy style short of silk, with of course no elastic. I just looked at them and melted, I had no idea I had such a treasure!

Just randomly caught the ring she's wearing, Ive its near twin, without the flares on the base and a smaller diamond. Its old so makes sense the design may have been more prevalent then.

Thank you for this documentary about the costumes of Downton Abbey. The clothes are one of my favorite things about the show.

i LIVE for these videos 😩

Thank you! So glad someone has finally done this!

I like how Raissa's outfit here resembles some previous age fashion style and still looks like a modern piece! Nice!

I could hear Raissa Bretaña talking about historical dresses for ages.

I always click on her videos! I would love to see her analyze Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.

I love the shoes @ 2:50 min mark! If I could find some that were comfortable and affordable I'd wear them daily! Thanks for sharing this!!!

Awesome! Can you do the fashions on American Crime Story with attention towards: Marcia Clark, Johnnie Cochran, Antonio D'Amico, and Monica Lewinsky (please see about getting the illustrator for the Mad Men video or this one) and the fashions in Turning Red and other Disney Characters (including the Princesses) and Fox Animation's Anastasia. Also Mrs. America with focus on Alice and Pamela along with Phyllis, Shirley, and Gloria. Lady Edith looks pretty shapely.

Loved it. Love the 1920s. Would you consider doing a video on Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries?

Very nice and pretty to see the ladies of Downton Abbey again! ❤😊

The way women dressed in the 1920's was so beautiful but required so much effort. Beauty aside I'm thankful for my leggings and t-shirt. 😊

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

That was fun! Loved the series🙂

The actresses said a lot of the clothing was authentic and very heavy and since it was so old it smelled so so bad that they hated wearing the actual authentic pieces while filming lol

How we've gone frm "fashionably flat chested" to "thicc" boggles me 🤣

We see a corset on Lady Mary without any undergarments on underneath! I was the 1st season after all, they hadn't found their groove yet!

what about all of lady marys more masculine looks, all the ties, button downs, suit jackets, etc (and of course the haircut) of the later seasons? would love to see people talk about that

Somehow, my hair have a slight ressemblance with Mary's like maybe the "coupe au carré " is the evolution of that style. Great video. It's interesting how they put the effort for the costumes. I am curious tough about the men layers now.

anything written by fellows is perfection be very careful about attacking him

Downton Abbey my favourite tv show 🥰

My alltime favorite was Sybil in her harem outfit

Michelle Dockery is so beautiful 😍

Would love to see a video about "Call the midwife",especially one of Trixies outfits.

I absolutely love the fashion in this show! 👏

The concept that we can pinpoint fashion history to a year and season is just not realistic. There will always be early adopters of styles - so if we see Edith in something that wasn’t popular until 1923 - it makes sense because she is a rich individual who had access to the latest or bespoke options. That people picked up on the trend later on does not negate the fact that an aristocrat could have been there/done that on the trend seasons prior. When we talk about eras we need to be cognizant of place, wealth, daily responsibilities, and access. 1920s French Designer is not the same as 1920s New York middle class.

Thoughts? I want to know where Raissa got the gorgeous blouse/dress she's wearing in this one! It's simply splendid on her!

Please do the Spanish series El tempo entre costuras. The English title is The Time in Between. Its literally full of fashion references.

Can you please tell us where did you buy your top?

YASSS Raissa is back!

Sybil's jute coulette outfit was shown so quickly at the end of an episode, I really never got a good look at the legs until I saw the photo here. However, with the glance Igot, I loved it!

downton is def my fav period drama

I was positive that was a Fortuny! How I would love one of his gowns.

WOW, I didn't know Michelle Dockery wore a genuine Fortuny gown!! I read that Fortuny gowns couldn't be cleaned/laundered because it would destroy the pleating.

Sybil was the most beautiful crawley for me

I love the fashions of that era

I have as personal goal wear something like Sibyl's dress in a wedding or some nice event

J ADORE CETTE SERIE.

My favorite show! I’ve watched it through several times, along with both films. 🤗 Edith is my least favorite character, but she has my favorite wardrobe, especially once she meets Michael Gregson.

Would you do one on the Gilded Age?

I think lady Edith was more conservative in her style because her sisters tried newer style years before Edith did. In second two Mary talked about cutting her hair short, but it was Sybil that actually did it. Also Mary wore a Chanel style dress before most people knew who Chanel really was as a designer. Edith did eventually do the same thing, like cut her hair, but it wasn't until later when the 1920's styles were more mainstream.