For fans of period drama, few television series have created a world as visually memorable as Downton Abbey. From the elegant gowns of the Crawley family to the carefully designed uniforms worn by the household staff, costumes have always played an important role in bringing the fictional Yorkshire estate to life.
That connection with the costumes became especially exciting in 2019, when a travelling Downton Abbey costume exhibition reached Boston. Years later, in 2025, many fans had another opportunity to see and potentially own pieces connected with the series through a major Bonhams auction and exhibition in London.
The Downton Abbey Costume Exhibition in Boston
The Downton Abbey costume exhibition that travelled through the United States gave viewers an opportunity to see screen-used costumes up close. For fans accustomed to seeing the Crawley family and their servants through a television screen, seeing the clothing in person offered a completely different experience.
The costumes demonstrated the changing fashions of the early 20th century, a period when British society was undergoing enormous social and cultural changes. The series moved from the late Edwardian era into the 1920s, and the clothing reflected that transformation.
The exhibition included costumes associated with both the aristocratic Crawley family and the servants working downstairs. The contrast between these two groups was one of the most visually important elements of the show.
Costumes That Helped Define the Characters
Costume design in Downton Abbey was not simply about making characters look attractive. Clothing helped communicate personality, social position and changes in the characters’ lives.
Lady Mary Crawley’s elegant dresses reflected her position within the aristocratic world, while servants such as Mr Carson, Mrs Patmore and Anna had very different wardrobes designed around their roles.
Even small details such as hats, gloves, jewellery, shoes and handbags contributed to the authenticity of the period.
The attention to detail is one reason the costumes became memorable objects in their own right.
From Boston Exhibition to the 2025 Auction
The story took an interesting turn in 2025. Bonhams announced a farewell exhibition and auction featuring costumes, props and set pieces from across the Downton Abbey television series and films.
The public exhibition was held at Bonhams’ New Bond Street saleroom in London from 18 August to 16 September 2025, alongside the auction. The sale was timed to coincide with the arrival of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, the third and final film in the franchise.
The auction eventually achieved approximately £1.7 million, with every lot sold, while more than 15,000 people visited the exhibition.
Lady Mary’s Famous Wedding Dress
One of the most recognisable pieces offered was the wedding dress worn by Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley when she married Matthew Crawley, played by Dan Stevens.
The pale apricot chiffon dress featured a long-sleeved design, beaded lace detailing and a ruched sash. It was offered with several accessories, including ivory satin Mary Jane shoes, a tiara, veil and a bouquet of prop lilies.
The estimated price before the sale was £3,000–£5,000, making it one of the most exciting costume lots for fans of the series.
A Costume Worn by Maggie Smith
Another particularly emotional lot was a dress worn by the late Dame Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
Smith’s portrayal of Violet became one of the defining performances of Downton Abbey. Her character’s sharp humour, confidence and unforgettable one-liners made her a favourite among viewers.
The auction included a light blue dress with silver detailing worn by Smith in the sixth series. Bonhams estimated the costume at £1,000–£1,500.
Seeing such a costume outside the television production gave fans a tangible connection to a character who had become an important part of television history.
Lady Sybil and Lady Edith’s Costumes
The auction also included costumes connected to other important members of the Crawley family.
A pair of distinctive “harem” trousers worn by Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil was among the notable lots. These were associated with the character’s adventurous and fashion-forward personality during the early seasons.
There was also a wedding dress and accessories worn by Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley for her marriage to Bertie Pelham in the series finale. The estimated value was £3,000–£5,000.
More Than Just Costumes
The 2025 auction was not limited to clothing. Fans could also find some of the show’s most recognisable props and set pieces.
One unusual but instantly recognisable item was the servants’ bell wall, which helped establish the communication system between the upstairs family and the downstairs staff.
The sale also included furniture, uniforms, scripts and other production memorabilia. A signed script from the first episode of the series was estimated at £600–£800 and carried signatures from members of the cast.
The Famous Grantham Family Car
Perhaps the biggest non-costume attraction was the 1925 Sunbeam 20/60hp, used as the Grantham family’s car.
The vehicle appeared from the second season onward and was used throughout seasons three, four and five, as well as the three Downton Abbey films. Bonhams estimated it at £25,000–£35,000 before the auction.
For collectors, the car represented something much larger than a period automobile. It was part of the visual identity of the Crawley family and had appeared repeatedly throughout the franchise.
A Charity Auction With a Meaningful Cause
The auction also had a charitable purpose. Proceeds from donated items were directed toward Together for Short Lives, a UK charity supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
This gave the sale an additional significance. Fans were not simply purchasing memorabilia; the event also helped support an important cause.
Why These Costumes Matter
The continuing interest in Downton Abbey costumes shows how powerful costume design can be in television storytelling.
Clothing helped audiences understand the differences between upstairs and downstairs, the changing social expectations of the period and the personalities of individual characters. The fabrics, silhouettes, accessories and colours all contributed to the atmosphere of the series.
For collectors, meanwhile, an original screen costume provides a physical connection to a beloved production.
The Legacy of Downton Abbey
The 2025 auction represented more than a commercial sale. It served as a celebration of the franchise as it approached its cinematic conclusion.
After six television seasons and three films, the costumes and props had become part of the cultural memory of Downton Abbey. The exhibition allowed thousands of visitors to see these objects before they moved into private collections and new homes.
From the original travelling exhibition in Boston to the major Bonhams event in London, the journey of these costumes demonstrates just how much audiences value the visual world created by Downton Abbey.
Conclusion
The Downton Abbey costume exhibition in Boston offered fans an unforgettable opportunity to see the show’s clothing beyond the television screen. In 2025, the Bonhams exhibition and auction brought that experience to a new level, presenting iconic costumes, props, furniture and even the Grantham family’s famous car.
Lady Mary’s wedding dress, Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess costume, Lady Sybil’s distinctive trousers and Lady Edith’s wedding outfit all represented different chapters in the show’s history. With every lot ultimately sold and £1.7 million raised, the auction became a fitting celebration of the series’ enduring popularity.
For Downton Abbey fans, these costumes are much more than clothes. They are pieces of television history—objects that preserve the characters, stories and extraordinary period atmosphere that made the series so beloved.
