People’s lives changed in the 1920s after World War I, and it was a revolutionary time for clothing too. Women could finally throw off the shackles of the corset and show more skin with shorter dresses, shorter sleeves and shorter hair. A more masculine look with a flatter bustline and smaller hips became popular. Coco Chanel was the frontrunner in designing clothes for this new look.

The third season of Downton Abbey, in all its wardrobing glory, is premiering tomorrow in the U.S., and I’m sooo excited! This season promises to be more like the first with a bit less soap opera drama and more period excitement. Now that the war is over, the 1920s will turn the family upside down.

A wardrobe similar to the gorgeous frocks below is what we can expect to see on the Crawley girls this season. Drop waists, lots of beading, lower cut decolletage, sleeveless dresses, headpieces and cloche hats will make their appearance. The war is over and the diamonds will be coming out! It will be interesting to see how the different daughters (the forward-thinking Lady Sybil, the dowdy Lady Edith and the beautiful Lady Mary) interpret the style of the day. Will Lady Sybil get a bob? Will Lady Mary show a bit of leg? Will Lady Edith become a flapper? I can’t wait to find out!

Illysia Neumann-Loreck