The Most Iconic Outfits To Ever Be Worn By Downton Abbey's Leading Ladies

We've discussed at length what the cast of "Downton Abbey" looks like in real life. Spoiler alert: They're all stunning with impeccable style. What we haven't done, however, is take a second to appreciate some of the most iconic outfits the leading ladies wore on the show. Trust us, there were many. One of the most exciting things about a period drama like "Downton Abbey" was that it made fashion such an integral part of its storytelling. The color palettes, fabric, and accessories often reflected where the women were in their lives while remaining true to the time period. 

Whether it was Lady Sybil wearing a pair of pants in season one (gasp!) or Lady Rose opting for stand-out colors that weren't often worn by others, there's much to unpack here with the ladies of "Downton." While it's hard to narrow down a list of their most iconic outfits, we attempted it anyway as an homage to one of television's most beloved period pieces. 

Lady Edith's lace wedding gown in Season 6 was a sight to see. The short sleeves were unexpected but extremely chic for the time period. Even the show's costume designer Anna Robbins named this look as a winner. "Edith's wedding dress is also one of my favorite pieces that I created for the series," she told Vogue UK. "I bought an original 1920s train in Brussels lace — then spent nine months acquiring more and more fabric to match it and build out a dress around it."

Lady Sybil's turquoise harem pants look from Season 1 is arguably one of the most iconic costumes on the entire show. "Downton Abbey" Season 1 took place during the early 1900s when women simply didn't wear pants — it was seen as improper. This outfit was an early signal to Lady Sybil's rebellious and independent spirit which later caused a few issues, but we love that she was ahead of her time with this outfit.

We've seen all of "Downton Abbey" star Michelle Dockery's real-life loves before marriage, but her most memorable on-screen love was, of course, Matthew Crawley. Matthew's Season 2 proposal to Mary was swoon-worthy because it was a sweet moment, but also because Mary was wearing such a gorgeous dress at the time. The rich color of the gown, jeweled trim around the neckline, and pleat on the skirt were subtle but romantic. The long black gloves also added a touch of elegance.

We've always loved everything about Cora Crawley. Played by Elizabeth McGovern (who's had a stunning hair transformation in real life), Cora's wardrobe was always sophisticated and luxurious. A particular look we have to call out was one Cora wore in the 2019 "Downton Abbey" film. Costume designer Anna Robbins described this beautiful look to Fashionista. "My amazing dyer, Ryan Kearney, stripped the color out and dyed [the dress] this very, very Cora mauve," she said. it's such a pronounced color palette that suits her American heiress origins.

One of the best aspects of "Downton Abbey" was watching the ladies and their fashion choices evolve with the times. Lady Rose MacClare wasn't as prominent of a character as the Crawley sisters, but her stunning debutante dress in Season 4 was one of the show's most memorable looks. Her bright pink drop waist gown with floral beading was peak 1920s fashion. It also showed how the times had changed since the start of the show. Like Lady Sybil, Rose had more of a rebellious spirit and wasn't one to blend in.

While "Downton Abbey" often focused on its younger leads, we can't forget about Dowager Countess Violet Crawley and her lavish outfits. Violet was often a representation of the "old guard" on the show, always touting tradition, and her clothes reflected that attitude. This purple ensemble she wore in Season 1 felt reminiscent of the Victorian era, but we love how over-the-top it is and it totally suits her.