Because Downton Abbey has been in production on and off for the better part of a decade, it can sometimes be difficult to divorce the show’s characters from the real-life actors who play them—especially where personal style is concerned.
However, at the premiere of Downton Abbey: A New Era, the women of Downton had the chance to showcase their own taste—and they didn’t miss.
Elizabeth McGovern, who plays the American matriarch of the series, Cora, arrived in a black Azzi & Osta gown with a thigh-high slit. The cut of the dress put her strappy heels on display while she took strides down the red carpet. The contrast of her bold, crystal-embellished bodice and the draped sleeves gave the dress a modern feel, while the bow at the waist added an elegant finishing touch. Stylist Bethany Long pulled McGovern’s silver hair into a tight updo with face-framing sideswept bangs.
Downton Abbey: A New Era premieres in the United Kingdom on April 29 and in the United States on May 20.