PBS 'Downton Abbey' Season 5 News: The Period Drama Is Helping Bring Men's Starched Collars Back Into Style
The popular British television costume drama "Downton Abbey" could be doing more than just bringing its global audience back in time: It may be resurrecting past fashion trends as well.
Fashion has transitioned in the show from conservative Edwardian dresses to the adventurous and shorter outfits of the Roaring Twenties.
With films like "The Great Gatsby" and the success of "Downton Abbey," as well as another British period piece "Mr. Selfridge," many older fashions for women have returned, but what about men's fashion?
Thanks to various period shows set in the late 19th century and early 20th century, there has been an increasing demand for men's starched collars, according to the Express. The company now produces around 80,000 collars a year for customers all over the world.
The starched collar was a part of a man's formal outfit, made fun of in "Downton Abbey's" first season when Tom Branson, then the family's revolutionary chauffeur, joked that the needy would need more than just "stiff collars." But, that is what they are: stiff collars. Men would be able to reuse dress shirts by simply changing the collar, saving on laundry costs.
Only one company in the U.K. still makes starched collars, The Barker Group, and thanks to the popularity of "Downton Abbey" and other costume dramas, they have seen a spike in orders.
"The market place that has really grown most significantly in the last five years is theatre, television and film," said owner Matthew Barker, speaking to the Express.
"There are a lot more period dramas now, shows like 'Downton Abbey.' Any period drama you see on television where they are wearing starched collars, generally we have supplied them. It's bizarre seeing your product everywhere but great."
According to their website, the Barker Group has produced starched collars for the Royal Household, the British armed force as well as countless of films and TV shows, including "Titanic," the "Sherlock Holmes" films and "Downton Abbey."
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