See 'Downton Abbey'-Inspired Looks from a Local Designer

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

Grid View

Expand

Based in Ravenswood, Denise Allen Robinson has been at the helm of Neesh by D.A.R. for the past 20 years. Produced locally, the line of women's clothing has an aesthetic that Denise has described (rather adorably) as "effortlessly, girlishly, Paris-flea-market-ly chic." Her collection is carried by more than 360 indie boutiques in the country; in Chicago, stores like Turley Road and Florodora carry large assortments of the girly gear.

Hallmarks of the line include comfy fabrics and vintage inspiration, along with whimsical embellishments found at flea markets (think ribbons, buttons, and a velvet birdie or two.) For her latest Transition and Fall line, Robinson took inspiration from menswear and the butler character on Downton Abbey. Take a peek inside the English-inspired look book below, and tell us if you can catch a hint of Mr. Carson in the cardigans, motorcycle jackets, and "inside-out tutus."

· Neesh by D.A.R. [Official Site]