The show keeps pointing out how Edith is unattractive compared to Mary. I think Edith is pretty and I don't see how Mary is any better looking than her?
Is this just displaying weird English standards of beauty that time?
There is a scene where Loed Grantham comes to talk with Edith in her room. She is dressed in night clothes and her robe and has let her hair down for the night. She is really quite pretty.
shareLaura Carmichael, who portrays Edith, has herself stated that the character is meant to be the "ugly sister".
https://www.stylist.co.uk/people/laura-carmichael-the-moment-i-realised-i-was-playing-ugly-downton-abbey-sister/21639
Of course in reality she looks very attractive.
Maybe the reason they needed to keep pointing it out is because it's far from true.
IMO, Edith is a nice-looking woman with brains, personality, and spunk. IMO, Mary has generic/conventional beauty and is a dullard. If I were a character in DA, Edith would be my first choice without a doubt.