From the dowager’s daytime dresses to Lord Grantham’s linen suit, you’ll soon see first-hand what they wore at Downton Abbey.

Costumes from the British blockbuster series’ first three seasons will be coming to Toronto in March for an exhibit tailor-made by Spadina Museum.

“We chose costumes that help tell the story,” said Karen Edwards, Spadina museum’s administrator, who checked out the London warehouse where the show’s costumes are stored during a vacation with her husband there.

The warehouse was huge, “full of walking sticks, purses and racks and racks of dresses — hundreds of dresses.”

A team at Spadina had already chosen the 20 pieces and nine hats they wanted, but Edwards got a first-hand look during her holiday.

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“We cover both servants and aristocracy — we have one of Lady Sybil’s (First World War) nurses’ uniforms coming, beautiful evening dresses, a couple of men’s pieces, one of (head housekeeper) Mrs. Hughes’ dresses and one of the maid’s dresses.”

The museum will compare how the British women of different generations dressed during that era — around the time of the First World War — to the fashions worn by the women of the wealthy Austin family, who lived at Spadina house.

“People will have a fun experience seeing the costumes from the show, and get a better understanding of how fashion trends travelled very quickly around the world,” added Edwards. “Toronto women were able to keep up very quickly with what was happening in Paris and London.”

Spadina Museum, a historic site dedicated to showcasing the Toronto of the 1920s and 1930s, was the home of the Austin family for three generations.

“Spadina represents the era in between the two great wars,” said Karen Black, manager of museum services for the City of Toronto.

“I’m a big Downton Abbey fan. I love how the show transforms between the old ways and the formality, the changes in technology — the car, the phone … the changing roles of women, and then the impact of World War I.”

This is the first North American showing of Downton costumes. Shipping company DHL is covering the cost of transporting the items here, and the clothing rental fee is about $9,000 in total.

Given the broad fan base that Downton Abbey has attracted, the museum is expecting fans of all ages to attend the exhibit.

Markham student Arezoo Najibzadeh, 18, said she’d especially love to see the outfits of Lady Sybil, the politically active daughter in the show.

“I also like her costumes after her marriage (to a chauffeur) because it shows that she has no shame in dressing up like ‘common’ people and not the upper class.”

Erin Woycik, 30, enjoys watching the fashions evolve over time, and noted how simple things such as wearing gloves indicated different ranks, even among servants.

“I loved seeing the difference of their costumes by event, so they had day wear, dinner wear, ball gowns — and the shoes amazed me,” said Toronto resident Helene Papadolias.

“For the men, their three-piece suits and how they had someone helping them dress — the whole process on wardrobe etiquette fascinates me.”

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The museum will offer tours along with the exhibit, which runs until April 13, as well as afternoon tea at some showings. For more information, go to Spadina Museum’s website. Tickets are now on sale.

“Costumes are one lens from which to see social transformation, and (the exhibit) is just to enjoy the richness and beauty of the costumes and really enjoy Spadina House in its fullest,” said Black.

“It’s about showcasing this huge heritage asset the City of Toronto has, and putting it into a global context.”