The mystery was solved when it was noted that the sales peaks coincided with the launch of the second series of Downton Abbey – the hit period drama.

Sales of elbow length leather gloves increased by 584% and leather gloves as a category increased by 50% week on week. Sales of fur capes are up 220% while sequin capelets (short cape worn over the shoulder) saw sales go up by 55%.

Says Carie Barkhuizen, Debenhams Spokesperson “The feminine glamour captured by the Crawley women in Downton Abbey has had a marked effect on what women are looking to buy this autumn – aristocratic chic is back!

“And since this is a look that can be achieved by a few choice accessories, it’s doesn’t require aristocratic wealth of Downton proportions to achieve.“

Hair jewels favoured by love rivals Mary Crawley and Lavinia Swire in the drama have also soared in popularity with sales of jewelled hair bands increasing by 47% and jewelled hair combs increasing by 58%.

Continues Carie Barkhuizen, “Women are stripping ‘aristocratic chic’ right back to basics and embracing Edwardian style underwear aswell. Waistnippers designed to create an hour glass shape and corsets have seen a sales increase of 71% since the start of the second series.”

And it’s not just the women putting a noble slant to their autumn wardrobes; sales of men’s cravats as worn by Robert, Earl of Grantham have increased by 28%. Waistcoats, the must-have for all Downton men have also seen a sales spike of 21%.

Top Five ‘Aristocratic Chic’ items and the characters behind their popularity are:
1. Elbow length leather gloves – Edith Crawley
2. Pearls – Mary Crawley
3. Fur capes – Cora, Countess of Grantham
4. Cravats – Robert, Earl of Grantham
5. Hair jewels – Lavinia Swire

Regularly attracting 10 million viewers an episode, Downton Abbey is now the most successful British period drama since Brideshead Revisited.