
Ella Jerman-Riddell
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£2,000 - £3,000
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The silhouette of this costume is loose and fluid, reflecting the fashion of the 1920s. The striking contrast between the vibrant silk coat and the teal silk dress ensures Cora stands out both in the street scene and the National Gallery scene of the episode. In these moments, she is courted by Simon Bricker, and the choice of brighter colours reflects the warmth and attention she receives. Costume designer Anna Robbins employed this vivid palette to underscore what she described as the "charged atmosphere of the scene."
The silk coat is an original vintage piece sourced by Robbins in Paris, while the teal dress was created by the Downton Abbey costume team but embellished with original appliqué.
The terracotta coat is notably re-used in later episodes and seasons, particularly in Season 6, reinforcing the realism of the series, characters re-wear garments, just as people do in real life.
Literature:
E. Marriott, The Costumes of Downton Abbey, pp. 34-35.