Well-suited: ’Downton Abbey’

Editor’s note: Each month, style blogger Sarah Barnett draws inspiration from a movie, television series or book, then styles a look based on it.

For our fashion issue, 225 asked readers to pick Barnett’s latest vintage ensemble, and from dozens of suggestions, Barnett chose Downton Abbey.

Picking just one character to base a thrifted outfit on from this post-Edwardian costume drama was impossible! My personal favorite is Lady Violet Grantham, but I have yet to master Maggie Smith’s look of blatant disapproval. Instead, I chose a more general mid-1910s inspiration—a time when sheer overlays and contrasting underlay fabrics were popular. A modern belt is a simple and inexpensive update and adds definition to an otherwise frumpy silhouette.

The best part of the 1910s and early 1920s are the hair and makeup. A combination of a deep red lip stain and a mini-cat eyeliner in grey is perfect for a social gathering of that period. Light statement jewels pull the look together with exotic black pearls, a large black onyx, and a crown ring.

These elegant hairstyles perfectly frame the theatrical aesthetic of the clothing. Simple updos were popular across the classes. I chose a Lady Sybil take on my hair because our face shapes are similar. I found an easy video tutorial and topped my ‘do off with a vintage brooch.

Lady Sybil is always the rebel of the house, from wearing skants (skirt-pants) as formal- wear to—spoiler alert—marrying “the help,” she is more carefree and exploratory than her sisters. Sybil is the wild card, and I love her for it.

Read Barnett’s Think Twice Style blog every Tuesday and for more, visit thinktwicestyle.com.