One hundred years of nightgowns: from the Victorian era to the 1950s

By | October 3rd, 2021|Categories: 1920s fashion, 1950s fun, Edwardian Era, Fashion, Roaring 20s, Underpinnings, Victorian fashion, Women's History|Tags: , , |

There is something about cooler temperatures that always gets me thinking about pretty and/or comfy sleepwear. Even though it has been just one week of fall here in Denver, I am already dreaming about flannel nightgowns, terry cloth robes, and Uggs. As often happens, I started to think about the evolution of the clothing item [...]

Women's aprons through time

By | September 16th, 2021|Categories: 1950s Fashions, Downton Abbey, Fashion, History of the home, Victorian Fashions, Women's History|

It occurred to me some months back that there are some very distinct trends when it comes to women’s aprons. We see them come and go through history and with specific styles when they do. Though we call anything meant to protect a woman’s clothing from harm caused by domestic duties an ‘apron’, they are [...]

Want a Regency-inspired fall? Try a Spencer jacket.

By | September 12th, 2021|Categories: Accessories, Fashion, Regency Era|Tags: , |

What is your favorite Regency fashion? I think mine might be the Spencer jacket, though it took some paper dolls from the period to show me... Last weekend I wrote a fun piece about early printed paper dolls, Little Fanny and her cohorts Little Henry and Naughty Ellen. The dolls were accompanied by charming storybooks [...]

Edwardian Era Roundup

By | August 31st, 2021|Categories: Edwardian Era, Edwardian Fashion|

We love the Edwardian era! There is something so enchanting about the aesthetic of the time. Perhaps it is the combination of sweeping hairstyles, flowing skirts, and tiny florals. It is a fun time to study as so many things were changing for women yet much of their clothing remained in the traditional styles that [...]

Camille Clifford: Gibson Girl

By | August 26th, 2021|Categories: 1920s fashion, Edwardian Era, Edwardian Fashion, Entertainment, Fashion, Women's History|

After studying the S-curve silhouette a few weeks back, I started thinking about the real women behind the iconic Gibson Girl. Although the Gibson Girl was an illustration, artist Charles Gibson did use real models, and she was meant to portray Gibson’s idea of how a woman should not only look but behave. His own [...]

Tina Fiorda: Hannah Swensen Mysteries costume designer

By | August 22nd, 2021|Categories: Customer's Fashions, Entertainment, Fashion, Recollections, Regency Era|

The Hannah Swensen Mysteries is a Hallmark film series about a baker who solves mysteries when she isn’t mixing up sweets. With the help of her detective fiance, the two fight for justice in their small town, with a few messes along the way. The series is a Hallmark fan favorite, and it has just [...]

Achieving the Gibson Girl S-silhouette: it's all about the padding

By | August 17th, 2021|Categories: Edwardian Era, Edwardian Fashion, Fashion, Women's History|Tags: , , , |

If there is one thing that visually defines the Edwardian era it is the Gibson Girl and that short-lived but highly distinguishable S-silhouette. The look was a far cry from the silhouette of the Victorian era: a skirt expanding at the waist with a very fitted bodice. Rather than being defined from a front view, [...]

What would you keep on your chatelaine?

By | August 7th, 2021|Categories: Accessories, Fashion, Victorian Era, Women's History|Tags: , , |

The time has come! I have been wanting to dive into the history of the chatelaine and this week I got the chance. And you know what? I often get excited about the posts I write for Recollections, and this one had me clapping my hands in joy a few times. Not only are the [...]

The truth about the Edwardian Hobble Skirt

By | August 4th, 2021|Categories: Downton Abbey, Edwardian Era, Edwardian Fashion, Fashion, Women's History|

The beginning of the 20th century was an exciting one for fashion. During the 1800s women’s clothing had some interesting “outliers” such as Regency fashions, but overall the standards of what was acceptable remained within a small window. The Edwardian era would completely change that forever. We see an artistic desire for experimentation with clothing [...]