The Hats Of Downton Abbey

Let’s face it. We don’t watch Downton Abbey for its gripping plot lines, or novel approach to story telling. We watch it for the setting, for the period details, for the clothing. But most of all we watch it for two things: Maggie Smith as The Honorable Dowager Countess Violet, and for the Hats.

Let us now watch the former fight with a chair, and also wear a hat.

After the jump, some of the most fabulous examples of millinery to be found on Downton Abbey.

As befitting an Earl’s wife, we have a large array of exquisite hats.

Lady Grantham has some of the loveliest Edwardian hats to be found.

Meanwhile her daughters each sport their own version of the cloche hat, a big fashion staple in the 1910s.

When personalities come forth, we discover only Sybil really favors the cloche. Only Mary is fancy enough to go with the large brim.

Speaking of Lady Mary

Manly, yet feminine.

We know Mary’s the heroine, because, of the daughters, she wears the most hats. She even has more hats that her mother!

(Shut up! I know that last one’s not a hat. But the whole outfit is such a lovely example of the pre-flapper era style, and the feather forerunner to the modern fascinator is one of my favorite of Mary’s headpieces.)

Edith…I knew Edith got shortchanged in general, but I was shocked to realise that extended to her hat collection:

At least Sybil has the excuse of being stuck in a nurse’s uniform the entire second season! And they’re all such dark colors. Perhaps she’s just not into hats? Even Lavinia’s two hats are nicer…

Though I prefer her hair jewelry:

Meanwhile there’s Sybil….

I know this technically isn’t a hat, but it was my favorite part of her “scandalous” frock.

She really favors the cloche hat. Meanwhile, Branson has wicked awesome goggles.

Nursing chic, circa 1917.

You can’t be bothered with fashionable headgear with a War on….

Why We Watch: The Honorable Dowager Countess, Violet

Let’s face it, Maggie Smith is just an excuse to flaunt headgear.

She may not take the cup for the best flower, but she certain takes it for best hats.

Meanwhile, Isobel’s hats are almost staid so as to draw the comparison between that last mother of the Earl, and the next one.

A study in contrasts…

Let’s not forget about Lady Rosamund off in London. She prefers her hats to sit at jaunty 35 degree angles on her head.

But the rich aren’t the only one to wear hats. This was the 1910s. EVERYONE wore hats.

There are work hats…

Both dress uniform and everyday wear

And then there are hats for going to the village…

An Interview going hat.

I miss Gwen.

I say, are Ethel’s hats as dull as Edith’s? I think they are!

Mrs Hughes has a fine hat. So, for that matter does O’Brien.

Even Daisy wears them.

And I couldn’t leave this last observation out….

……………….We know she’s evil. She’s wearing a black hat.

(Part two with the men’s hats is here. Season three here.)