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Tuesday, January 25

Downton Abbey: Lady Sybil and Her Harem Pants

The chauffeurm Branson (Allan Leech) admires Sybil's new frock

Jessica Brown-Findlay as Lady Sybil
Inquiring Readers:

During the Twitter party as the group watched Episode Three of Downton Abbey, Evangeline from Edwardian Promenade noted that the harem pants worn by Lady Sybil were made by Paul Poiret.

Who was he, I wondered? Reader, Patty, from Brandy Parfums, answered my question and alerted me to this wiki:

The harem pants in Downton Abbey in Episode Three were a copy of Paul Poiret.

As Wiki says -

"In 1909, he was so famous that H. H. Asquith invited him to show his designs at 10 Downing Street.[1] The cheapest garment at the exhibition was 30 guineas, double the annual salary of a scullery maid"

Poiret worked for Worth who made more conservative dresses so he left to be more "Oriental" among other trends. Not in most write ups about him is he revolutionized women's undergarments. He got rid of corsets that are so bitterly complained about in Downton Abbey. That was also part of his shocking style.
Lady Sybil has fun with fashion

Peggy Guggenheim championed him and that led to many customers who then shunned Worth. It was fine to be a tall elegant THIN women for Poiret but it didn't work if you were heavy - then the Worth style was better. So the reason today we go for thin in fashion may be traced back to Poiret and Guggenheim."
The harem pants shocked the family, but this did not detract from Sybil's joy.
Be that as it may, Jessica Brown-Findlay has become my favorite sister. She rocked that outfit. Wouldn't you agree?

The family's reaction to Sybil's pants was priceless. Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, and Dan Stevens.
Watch Downton Abbey online through February 22, 2011.

17 comments:

Karen K. said...

Sybil is by far my favorite of the sisters, not in the least because she's so much less selfish and self-centered. I love how she helped the maid get a secretarial job. That was so sweet. And I suspect that she may end up married to Matthew.

Unknown said...

A very likeable girl and a lovely pair of trousers. Where can I get my pair? Also loved the top portion of the ensemble.

Jenny Allworthy said...

Karen, that would be wonderful if Sybil married Matthew! He deserves a sweet, modern woman. Mary can go and find an Italian who isn't too picky!
And yes, she rocked those harem pants. The top was adorable too, Renate and I loved the head band.

Paul said...

Sybil's poised as the perfect Persian princess.

Eliza Martin said...

I guess this is my modern upbringing speaking, but I don't really understand what was so shocking about that outfit, other than it was pants instead of a dress.
Other than that, I am really enjoying Sybil as well, though I do feel sorry for Mary.

Tee said...

I love "Downton Abbey" and it's wonderful to see the posts on "Jane Austen Today"...
My favourite sister is "Sybil" and I hope that she gets to play a larger part in the next series...

Tribute Books said...

Great Masterpiece scene! :) Thanks for the historical background on it.

Charleybrown said...

Vic, guess we both posted about her pants! Loved the various reactions by her family!

It will be great to see Sybil's character developed in season 2!

Vic said...

I'd say your post was much more extensive than mine, CharleyBrown. Great images, and that image of the Worth harem pants is fabulous.

Charleybrown said...

Vic, the Worth pants do stand out but it's the lovely dresses that make me swoon with envy!

Vic said...

Fashions by Worth are swoonworthy. His examples of Victorian/Edwardian clothes are outstanding, bu I dislike the reliance on corsets, which is why I do so love the pants -- loose and fancy free and a harbinger of the roaring twenties!

Mary Simonsen said...

The costumes have been gorgeous, but this one really stood out. I gues it helps that Sybil is a knockout.

Witchkrafting with Kat said...

Wonderful posting, love your blog site.

Gina said...

I guess I'm in the minority. I thought she looked like she was running off to join the circus. :-) They were a pretty color, though.

Nonna said...

I love Lady Sybil ! Sweet, sensible and mature beyond her years, she is a perfect match for modern thinking Matthew. I will be bitterly disappointed in the conclusion of the series if Mary ( what a spoiled brat ) ends up with Matthew. I would really like an ending with Sybil as his true love and bride !

Anonymous said...

She is awesome so cute!
Not like the other sisters who only care about themselves...And she is always so sweet and helps people like helping Gwen I way like ''Aahhh'' sweet :)

Anonymous said...

Who can look at her harem pants when Matthew Crawley is in the room! Dear Lord, Dan Stevens is so gorgeous!