Revisiting Downton Abbey

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Lady Mary’s gown with her maid, Anna Smith’s uniform.

All of our old friends are there: Lord and Lady Grantham. the Dowager Countess, the daughters, their heartthrobs, Cora’s American mother and of course, all of our favorite servants.

Well, it’s not exactly them — but their exquisite clothing, worn by life-sized mannequins. “Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times,” a traveling exhibition of dazzling costumes, jewelry, film stills and accessories, opens at the Taft Museum of Art on Saturday, July 2, and is here through Sept. 25.

Matthew Crawley's wartime uniform, with Lady Mary's costume.
Matthew Crawley’s wartime uniform, with Lady Mary’s costume.

After yesterday’s press tour, it’s clear that the Taft Museum has another hit on its hands. Even before the show opens, they’ve sold more than 6,000 advance tickets, and the teas are completely sold out! (More could be added, so stay tuned.)

But do make a reservation in the cafe, where you can lunch on Mrs. Patmore’s pasty, and other British delicacies.

Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, and Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, wore these outfits in Season 2.
Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham, and Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, wore these outfits in Season 2.

This show of 36 elegant, finely detailed costumes is not only enormous fun for fans of PBS Masterpiece’s “Downton Abbey” — Read More »