bookworm - bet you could wear it on a Viking River cruise!
VH, yes, that’s it! Except it comes past my knees. So, I have a month to return. I joked that I could make it a costume.
Beautiful bookworm. Classic LBD, I would keep it. You’ll have occasions to wear it. Make reservations at a swanky restaurant and feel like Lady Mary. 
If you want to get it altered so it’s above your knees, have a tailor take it up at the dropped waist. I don’t think you should have him fiddle with the actual hem; it has too much beading on it.
No, it looks better knee length ( hits top/ mid knee) I love that there are snaps to separate the slip, and the slip can be adjusted, like a bra. Really well made. Cost $190. I have long double strand black beads, or white beads.
So, keep and just hope a wedding comes up? My sons friends are all around 27-30, as are my friends kids.
Oh, there will be weddings. And maybe someone will host a Downton Abbey-themed party!!
Thanks for the support. I guess I will always think of it as my B/d splurge (2/1), and 1/30 is the b/d of my g/f’s twins. So, I’ll convince my friend that next year, we go out all dressed up.
The dress is great! I would like it (on me) at the length you describe. It’s timeless in the sense that it’s appropriately “costume-y”, you could wear it any where. I have a Bavarian rather non-traditional, but still distinguished drindl that I bought a number of years ago. I always worried that I’d look like I was dressed for Octoberfest, but when ever I wear it (generally without the apron), I get complements as it is a handsome dress. And, finally, I’m getting to the age when as far as clothing goes - “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a D----”.
Hubby accompanied me to this shop in New Orleans while we were on a short vacation a couple weeks ago. The couture they show on the website isn’t Downton, but many of the dresses in the shop were. Aren’t the hats great? I can’t wear hats - head is too small, darn. Both Hubby and I enjoyed looking and wished we had a Downton affair in the plans. (I hope I haven’t broken terms of CC service). http://www.fleurdeparis.net/hats.html
MomOFadult, I’m sure that shop could custom make a hat for you. If you ever have a costume party, order one.
I love it! You can wear that very traditional or edgy if you like doing that. Black opaque stockings and booties.
@Momofadult - when I first read your description I thought you meant this shop! http://yvonnelafleur.com
Isn’t it funny that @bookworm’s dress is made by Ralph Lauren and he used to be a big sponsor of the show? He must have been inspired by it.
Veryhappy, thanks for the link last page for the Dowton costumes museum tour. I just told DH that we are going to SoCal next year for spring break!
You CCers are great. I’m feeling better about my splurge. I can totally see black tights and my short dressy boots. I think RL was inspired, but I never thought of that.
@greenwitch - thanks for the 2nd great NOLA dress shop suggestion! This was my first trip to New Orleans and was just a handful of days to warm up a bit from Midwest zero degree weather. That aspect didn’t work well as NOLA had unusually cold temps, but it was still an improvement from the weather at home. We didn’t explore much beyond the French Quarter and Garden District. I’ll have more places to visit next trip! Totally off topic, but Hubby and I went out this AM to pick up a King Cake from a local bakery. Some of these NOLA traditions are great!
Now, returning to Downton thoughts - I wish more designers would be inspired by the 20’s fashions. It would be fun to dress like this!
Yes, lace with booties is a great edgy look without being to out there. I would wear the long white beads, or multiple strands.
I’d go with black beads, like the model in the picture.
That RL dress is great! I think it looks good with beads, however I’d favor without any at all. There’s enough going on with the dress and beads could make it look costumey.
What I would NOT do is wear it with that blue flannel shirt in the last photo! 
Love the dress! But I agree; the way it was styled in the online catalog is bizarre! I really don’t get the flannel shirt thing. Any stylists out there who can explain the thinking? Obviously they are trying to appeal to a younger demographic but buffalo-checked flannel with a beaded flapper dress?! So weird!
@bookworm, the dress is really adorable. I love it.