Tag: Downton Abbey

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Discussion: Women of the Downstairs Staff (A Project Downton post)

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Discussion: Women of the Downstairs Staff (A Project Downton post)

How you would like to work in a great house like we see every week in Downton Abbey? Well it might not be as glamorous as you might think! In this Project Downton discussion post we talk about the domestic staff.

In the Edwardian era which Downton Abbey is set, the domestic service was at its peak. WWI brought the decline of the domestic staff with most of the male staff being drafted to the Great War and the women replacing jobs previously held by men or working in machine factories helping the war effort.

The Victorian era in Britain saw a peak in the numbers of servants employed in households. All upper class houses had several servants, and most middle class households employed at least one or two servants. In 1871 over 4% of the population was employed ‘in service’, the vast majority of them women. Being “In Service” was considered by lower class and women, to be a highly coveted position for surprisingly long periods in history. Continue reading “Discussion: Women of the Downstairs Staff (A Project Downton post)” →

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Review: The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott

Do you find yourself wasting countless hours a day, day dreaming of the Edwardian era? Do you suddenly find yourself longing for a corset, button up boots, and an ostrich plum hat? You my friend are in good company and clearly suffering from Downton Abbey withdrawals.

If like me, you are looking for literary tale to satisfy your need…then look no further than Kate Alcott’s novel, The Dressmaker. The Dressmaker is a Cinderella-ish tale reminiscent of The Devil Wears Prada set against the backdrop of the Titanic disaster.

Tess Collins spontaneously quits her job with the hope of gaining last minute employment on the Titanic the day it is to set sail. Tess has been working as a maid but her passion is fashion….she longs to design luxurious dresses and make a name for herself in the new world.

Lucile Duff Gordon (who was a real person by the way) is already a famous clothing designer, she is traveling to America with her titled husband, Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon, to supervise her New York fashion show–but at the last minute her maid quits.

Fate intervenes, crossing the paths of Tess Collins and Lucile Duff Gordon–their lives change forever. Continue reading “Review: The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott” →

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Discussion: Architectural History of Downton Abbey (A Project Downton post)

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Discussion: Architectural History of Downton Abbey (A Project Downton post)

Like many of you, I love both Downton Abbey and trifling historic facts! I just finished reading Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey this week and I couldn’t resist writing a follow up post to my review about a little fun fact I learned from the book.

Images of Highclere Castle–also known as it’s alter ego Downton Abbey–are flooding blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and other multi media outlets in a wild frenzy!

I don’t know about anyone else, but I found something eerily familiar about Highclere Castle…..maybe I was Lady Mary in my past life LOL :). But honestly the whole time I have been watching Downton, I see the castle and I can’t help but think….there is something so familiar about this castle!!! Continue reading “Discussion: Architectural History of Downton Abbey (A Project Downton post)” →

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Review: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon, Fiona Carnarvon

by The Lit Bitch12 Comments on Review: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon, Fiona Carnarvon

Don’t we all wish we could wave our magic wands and become the Crawley family living the high life at Downton Abbey?

For Lady Almina Carnarvon that dream was a reality.

With Downton Abbey sweeping the telly waves, fans are salivating at the mouth for more Downton–I know I am! This book was extremely appealing to me for the obvious–a promise of more Downton! When the publisher sent me a copy for review, I was over the moon–checking my mailbox daily in eager anticipation!

I am always a little iffy about non-fiction and biography books because they can often become rather dry and scholarly for my taste…that’s all well and good if I am reading a book for a history class but when I am reading for fun, I want a story.

That was not the case with this book–it was absolutely riveting! I would call this one un-put-downable…it was a smashing read and I enjoyed every page! Books like this make me excited about history!  Continue reading “Review: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by The Countess of Carnarvon, Fiona Carnarvon” →

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Discussion: Women’s Fashion in the Edwardian Era (A Project Downton post)

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Discussion: Women’s Fashion in the Edwardian Era (A Project Downton post)
Lady Mary pre war fashion (Downton Abbey)

This weekend I finally caught up on Downton Abbey….my mom and I watched the entire second season in one sitting. While we were having our tea in between episodes we were discussing the women’s fashions of the era which in turn prompted me to write a post for Project Downton!

I’ll be honest, I long for the time when ‘dressing’ for ‘dinner’ meant putting on something fancier than clean PJ’s and sitting in front of the telly eating a microwave dinner. I feel like I was born in the wrong decade by a few hundred years….I long for elegant updos, beaded dresses, extravagant hats, and yes even the corset. Continue reading “Discussion: Women’s Fashion in the Edwardian Era (A Project Downton post)” →