Downtown Abbey - side saddle outfit.

[Orangehorse]

This has probably been done many times before, but I have just acquired a book about Downtown Abbey, the TV series. There is a picture of one of the ladies riding side saddle in a black habit, but she is wearing black gloves - it this correct? I thought that brown gloves were correct, not black. Or was it different in Edwardian times?

 

[crabbymare]

Black gloves were worn when in mourning, so coupled with the black habit is it possible that one of the characters had died?

 

[mjcssjw2]

Brown is correct, but as been said could be in mourning

 

[mulledwhine]

Had queen Victoria died at that point in time ?

If so, most upper classes were in mourning

 

[teapot]

Downton's set in Edwardian Britain as it starts around 1910/1912

Hopefully it'll match one of the deaths in the series, First World War or even the Titanic link

 

[mulledwhine]

I think I am the only person to have never watched it !!!!

Watching reruns of up stairs down stairs!!!! Never seen the original series far too young , and they have just adressed the titanic

 

[Queenbee]

Parts of it were filmed at my old school

 

[Alyth]

In the first series the heir to Downton Abbey dies in the Titanic.....but that becomes questionable!!

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Only brown gloves were worn and are still only worn today (different shades of brown are ok, I wear dark tan). The only exception is creme or chamois gloves when worn with a top hat. Modern side saddle habits are based on what was worn in the early-mid 20th century and has changed since with the exception of being allowed to wear riding helmets, body protectors, and boots with zips!

Black gloves are NEVER worn today and were NEVER worn for riding in the Victorian or Edwardian eras as if you were in deep mourning enough to be wearing black gloves, you would not be doing something as "frivolous" as riding. Later stages of mourning or for the deaths of non close family, it would be ok to loosen up the black rules and "live" a little.

That black glove thing on Downton Abbey is a contentious thing amongst us side saddle folk I'll give Mary, (the character that was wearing them), the benefit of the doubt that they were very dark brown as I have a pair of Good Hands gloves that are very dark brown that people often mistaken for black