Thank you to all of our wonderful customers who entered the Christmas – New Year 2022 Photo Contest.

The panel of judges made up of members of the Recollections crew thought these first 5 photos best captured the spirit of the holidays! The runners-up follow.

Visit us at recollections.biz – we design and manufacture history-inspired fashions in Hawks, Michigan, USA – Georgian/Revolutionary War, Regency, Victorian, Old West, Pioneer, Edwardian, Roaring 20s and 1950s Retro.

Above: “I love my outfits from Recollections – my fiance got me a gift certificate for Christmas so I can buy even more! We host the Whiskey Row Social Club and Historical Society here in Prescott, and this is us getting ready for the Christmas parade a couple of weeks ago. Brad (Bradley G. Courtney, aka the Whiskey Row Historian) is an author who has written four books on the history of our town, and we do local tours and presentations in our Old West get-ups. We’re getting married in May and will be in costume for the wedding, as will many of our guests. I’ve already ordered my wedding dress from you, and the dress for his daughter, who will be my maid of honor. I appreciate you! Thanks so much” Wendi
Above: “Mrs. Claus likes to get her gowns from Recollections.” Crystal
Above: “A Very Special Victorian Christmas. This was in the parlor of the J.Joseph Henry House. Jacobsburg Historical Society.” Vicki
Above: “Thank you and Happy Holidays!” Iridessence X
Above: “I live in Mauricetown, New Jersey – a village filled with historic homes in southern New Jersey, near the Delaware Bay. In 2018, a large section of our town was placed onto the National Register of Historic Places. I am the Curator for the Mauricetown Historical Society, located in the 1860s Captain Edward Compton House. As Curator, my mission is to design exhibits that not only showcase our local maritime history but to also present displays which help to further the “story” of the Victorian era lifestyle.  As a vintage/antique clothing enthusiast, I frequently use clothes to help our visitors understand life in the 1860s.
The current clothing exhibit in the Compton House is called “Go Outside and Play!”.  The outfits show what would have been worn by our Victorian and Edwardian ancestors while enjoying the great outdoors and playing games ranging from golf to croquet to tennis and even swimming and bicycling.  
The photo that I am submitting for your contest is me, wearing the Virginia Civil War Era jacket and skirt.  I wore this while offering tours during an open house for visitors to our Historical Society in December 2022. In the background behind me, you can see additional Recollections clothing that I used for the “Go Outside and Play” displays.  Your Recollections Civil War Trinity outfit is showing what an 1860s lady would have worn to play croquet while your jacket from the Old West Victorian ensemble is part of the outfit for the ladies’ bicycle ensemble.    
Thank you for considering my entry but most of all, thank you for making such marvelous, high quality reproduction historic clothing.  I think one of our visitors during our open house said it best … “WOW! What year are we in? You look so REAL!”  That was the visitor’s response when I greeted them for the tour, wearing my Virginia Recollections outfit. 
 Best wishes for a marvelous 2023 to you!” ~Kimberly
Above right: Balloon Art by Merry Makers
Above left: ” Happy New Year. Here is my photo from our Victorian Christmas in Llano, Texas. This photo was taken in front of our 1882 house.  Received so many compliments from the dress.” Ruth

Above right: “Susanah Muir beautifully portrayed Jennie Stilwell in “Arthur Stilwell’s Dream of Steam” at the Railway Museum of San Angelo, Texas.  Set in 1910, the historic play took guests all around the museum to meet the people who were involved in the opening of San Angelo’s depot.   Jennie loved her wheeler dealer husband although he founded and lost two major railroads.Susanna wore the Recollections Tamar Edwardian lace dress as she posed beside the new display of Arthur and Jennie Stilwell in the Railway Museum.”  
Included is a photo of Susanna with David Weinberg, who brought Arthur Stilwell to life. Photos by Bruce R. Partain.
Above right: “My lovely Regency dress worn for a Christmas Tea.  And I can’t say enough about the customer service that went with it!  Recollections went the extra mile to make sure my dress was here for the event!”  Carrie
Above left: “I live in Australia on the island of Tasmania. Our Christmas is in Summer but we are cooler here than the mainland so sometimes we can get a little snow on the mountains for Christmas. I’m a volunteer house guide for a 1838 house Called Narryna in Hobart 
Tasmania back then was called Van Deimens Land and was settled by the British to use as a penal colony for The British Empires criminals. The house is made with convict made bricks, convict quarried sandstone and convict labour built the house. They were not all bad people. I’m very proud of my 2 convict ancestors that earned their Ticket of leave and prospered. 
Many American ships  came to Tasmania in the whaling era 1830 to 1900 to hunt for whales. 
We now have tourist boats to go see the whales.  A happy arrangement. Merry Christmas from Australia” Cathy 
Above left: “Happy as can be in my new outfit– getting ready for The Kerr Museum’s candlelight tours!” Heather
Above right: “It was a rainy night at the Dearborn Historical Museum in Michigan, but the Victorian Corduroy Suit kept me warm! Can’t wait for more occasions to wear it! Thanks so much!” Sarah M
Above left: “Thank you for creating such fun and beautiful designs.” Mrs. Claus 

Above right: “Attached is a photo of me wearing Recollections Victorian civil war style black jacket, green civil war skirt, and Recollections green pin.
Merry Christmas to everyone there!” Carol
Above: “This is Pam Beasley wearing the Arabesque suit at the Christmas & Candlelight program held at Historic Washington State Park, December 10, 2022. This is the Gen. Grandison D. Royston House dining room decorated for a formal dinner. Historic Washington State Park is a working 19th Century town in southwest Arkansas. ” 
Above left: “I am at one of our local museums (where I am a docent) on the porch. I am wearing a Dickens skirt (purchased from you circa 2007 I think), a white blouse (also purchased from you the same time period – not sure what it was called back then), a black Dickens bonnet with red satin lining, a black Sarah Emma Bolero, and a red cloth belt, along with an extra full crinoline. All items from Recollections! Here’s to a great year and thank you for making lovely clothing!” Diane S

Above right: “Love this dress.  Dickens on the Strand, Galveston, TX USA  December 2022.” 
Tammy
Above left: “I play Mrs. Claus every year at the Hotel Bennett in Charleston, SC. We do tea with Santa and Mrs. Claus every Sunday starting the Sunday after Thanksgiving thru Christmas. I made my skirt and apron but felt it lacked something. I purchased your white crinoline and it transformed my entire look. I’ve gotten so many compliments on my outfit since I added the crinoline! Thanks so much!” Sherrie

Above right: “We went to Disney World for Christmas.  I wanted to dress up nice for Christmas breakfast and felt that my Daisy Victorian Dress was perfect for the warm Christmas Day in Florida.  I happened to run into one of the characters and thought it would be a fantastic photo op. I got many compliments from the employees and felt that I fit right into the Wild West themed resort we were at.  It made my day extra magical!” Sariah
Above left: “I volunteer at Blackacre Nature Preserve in Louisville, KY. It’s an historic farmstead with buildings from 1790 to 1844. We hosted a Bourbon Event fundraiser in our double crib barn and I’m serving guests homemade cherry bounce. My dress ensemble is completely from Recollections. ” Patty

Above right: “I am Mrs Cody Claus and with Mr Cody Claus. We are docents, members of the Nevada Virginia City Silent Riders. The picture is taken in the 1876 building of the Old Red Garter, a prominent western clothing store.”
Above: “Here is my photo at the Gettysburg tree lighting, along with my son Kaden, wearing my Penelope green plaid dress.” Jodi H
Above right:” My dress is a Emmanuelle Victorian Velvet Suit in red velvet with matching red velvet hat. Santa loves this dress as it  coordinates and compliments his red velvet suit.  This dress is new to Mrs. Claus’s wardrobe in 2022 and the children love the velvet. I purchased many articles of clothing in 2022 from Recollections, but this is by far, my favorite. Looking forward to ordering further additions to the Mrs. Claus ensemble in 2023.”  Mrs. Lori Claus
Above left: “This is me at a NYC Victorian Christmas event in a Recollections gown!
Happy New Year!” Melody

Above right: “My entry photo is from docenting at Angell Manor during the Candlelight Tour of Homes in Jefferson, TX. I also wore this ensemble to give guided tours of the Atalanta, Jay Gould’s private rail car, also on display in Jefferson.  I got so many complements on this ensemble during the tours! It is so well made and comfortable to wear. Happy Holidays to all!” Kimberly
Above left: “Blessings for your Holiday” Cindy

Above right: “I got a lot of compliments this year at Dickens Fair, the quality of Recollections gowns are really amazing in comparison to the rest.  Thank you so much for making them. Here’s a picture of me and my husband at the Fair.”
Above left: “My husband and I portray Santa and Mrs. Claus. I own several Victorian outfits from Recollections, however, the outfit I am wearing in the picture is:  
Moira Blouse in White
Old West Victorian Jacket and Skirt. 
Underneath the skirt are Victorian Flounced Lace Pantaloons.  We were asked to welcome guests to the Bordentown Chocolate Crawl in Bordentown NJ. As much as everyone loves to see Santa Claus, they are so surprised and excited to see Mrs. Claus.” Josie 

Above right: “Kerry, in Georgia.
Maggie blouse, Victorian twill skirt.“
Above: “I’m wearing the Mallory Victorian Civil War Dress in the attached photo that I wore to a Victorian Village event at a local theme park. Also in the photo is my husband Christopher Erickson in matching Victorian attire.”  Best, Jean  
Above left: “My green Quinn Riding Suit was the perfect choice for the West Linn Holiday Parade in Oregon. Every year the West Linn Historical Society walks in the parade costumed to represent the town’s 110 years of history. Carrying baskets of candy for the children and wishing Merry Christmas to all is one of my favorite Christmas traditions!” Patricia

Above right: “I’m a docent at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum in California. Our Festival of Trees celebrates the holidays with dozens of trees and fun activities for children and their grownups. Docents dress in 1870’s attire.” Veray

Below top left: “”Madame Theodosia’s Raven’s Wing Hattery makes it’s annual appearance at the Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival the weekend of December 3-4, 2022, in Port Jefferson, New York. As stormy weather conditions were the order of the day, let it be known that neither rain nor torrential flooding could keep our fearless milliner down. Happiest of New Years to you all!”  Laurie
Above bottom middle: “About to leave on the Old West train from Grapevine, Texas to Fort Worth Stockyards. Many great compliments on my outfit. I love it.” Carolyn

Above far right: “Our annual open house event at Historic Ioamosa is one part of the season that makes it the most wonderful time of the year!! I decided to change up my costume this year in style and color. I chose the Josephine Victorian Style Dress in Tartan-black, Betsy Twill Vest in Winterberry, Regency velvet bonnet. It was a big hit I had so many wonderful compliments on the outfit. Thanks to everyone at Recollections!!” Joyeux Noel & Bonne Annee to all” Renée E

Above bottom left: “Carolers Outfit. Matching top and bottom skirt. Dickens Faire Nov 2022. Cow Palace, Daly City CA.
Above lower left: “Happy Holidays, I am all dolled up for Lessons and Carols at our Church.  
I’m wearing your Civil War Pagoda Sleeve dress, that you were gracious enough to make in your Barton cotton. It looks fabulous !I’m also sporting one of your straw hats.  While my dress may not look Christmasy, I think I show your dress & hat off quite well befitting the Victorian era. May you all have a VERY Merry Christmas ! All the very best”

Above right: “Last week I was headmistress of Reindeer School at our local Museum & Art Gallery.  I loved wearing my recollections.biz outfit and got many compliments in it.”  
Sarah-Helen
Above: “I rode in the parade and mingled with visitors and merchants wearing my Recollections Caroling Cape outfit! My grandkids thought I looked as if I stepped out of the White Christmas movie! Best wishes!” Michele
Host of FEELIN’ GOOD cable TV program 
Sponsored by Warren County Community Services 
Above: Sandy B sent this photo and wrote to us:  “Hellertown, Pa. was named in honor of Christopher Heller who bought a mill and 200 acres of land along the Saucon Creek, making him among the first settlers in the area.  By 1750 he had obtained a tavern license for the site, seven tenths of a mile from the enter of the present town of Hellertown.  It is believed that the French General Lafayette, a great friend of the colonists during the American Revolution, stopped at the tavern while traveling from Brandywine to Bethlehem. 
The picture is me in that very tavern, less than two minutes from my home.  In the picture I am wearing the Dickens Victorian Tartan-black skirt, twill red vest and Felicia Victorian Edwardian blouse.”