Michelle Dockery ''didn't have a clue'' about fashion before 'Downton Abbey'.

The 33-year-old actress - who plays Lady Mary Crawley in the popular period drama - has confessed she wasn't very adventurous with her style when she was first cast in 2010 as she didn't know much about fashion.

She told BANG Showbiz: ''I've definitely learnt a lot from the designers on the show and as a result I've kind of ... I was always a bit of a novice when it came to fashion and really didn't have a clue and of course it's opened my eyes a bit more to style and tailoring and what works for me.''

The brunette beauty - who has wowed on red carpets at numerous awards ceremonies since shooting to fame - admitted it was fun to see old fashioned looks come back into style because of the much-loved show.

She continued: ''Then of course the fashion world caught on to the styles in the show very early on. Ralph Lauren had a whole collection that was an homage to 'Downton'.

''It kind of forced, me anyway, to pay attention to the fashion world and it's all a part of the fun of it really. I enjoy dressing up and trying on different outfits.''