Edwardian women in black and white

By | August 19th, 2023|Categories: Edwardian Era, Fashion history, Women's History|

I am a fan of Edward Linley Sambourne and I didn’t even know it!  During my time as a women’s history researcher and blogger, I have used Sambourne’s photography multiple times, never realizing the source. I think because photography was emerging as such a popular medium during the Edwardian era I assumed that the plethora [...]

What's a woman's wallet, really?

By | August 15th, 2023|Categories: 1950s Fashions, Accessories, Edwardian Era, Fashion history|Tags: |

“Keys, phone, wallet…” like many of you this is my leaving-the-house mantra. I also almost never leave the house without my sunglasses, but I typically have those already on my body before I repeat the mantra. Like sunglasses; phones and wallets are things women have carried with them for less than a hundred years. When [...]

Ribbon corsets

By | August 10th, 2023|Categories: Edwardian Era, Fashion history, Underpinnings|Tags: , |

In my recent post about Victorian summer dresses, I came across photos of ventilated corsets; corsets made of ribbon or strips of fabric connecting the boning and ties. At first, I thought that they may have been a new summer-friendly invention of the late Victorian era but I came to learn that ribbon corsets were [...]

All about August

By | August 5th, 2023|Categories: Victorian Era|

Happy August! This time of year just flies by so fast. It’s probably because of all of the extra activity and leaving the house so much. I always like to make sure that I take advantage as the winter sure finds me keeping the company of my apartment so much more.  August is the time [...]

The women of the 2024 quarters

By | August 3rd, 2023|Categories: History News, Women's History|

A couple of weeks ago the U.S. Mint announced that in 2024 it will be releasing five new quarters featuring five new American women. I don’t know about you, but I am excited to start a collection of women’s history coins. To add to the excitement I thought it would be fun to take a [...]

July History News Roundup

By | July 30th, 2023|Categories: History News|

History news and new research doesn’t stop for summer! July was full of really neat stories that I am excited to share with you!  Some highlights:  Five new quarters announced for 2024 – featuring five different American women. Forgotten Victorian slang The surprising history of pink lemonade Enjoy this month’s conversation starters!  Smithsonian Magazine: See the Face [...]

A brief history of a brief trend: paper dresses

By | July 27th, 2023|Categories: 1960s, Fashion history|Tags: , |

Our clothing at Recollections is built to last, and we love hearing from customers about how our pieces last for so many history-inspired adventures. People appreciate quality and the “slow fashion” movement continues to thrive. In the 1960s, things were a little different. Paper dresses, meant to be worn an average of three times became [...]

Women's clothing and sporting in the Victorian era

By | July 22nd, 2023|Categories: Fashion history, Victorian culture, Victorian Era, Victorian fashion, Victorian Fashions, Women's History|

If pickleball were trending in the Victorian era rather than today there would have been a very prescribed outfit for playing it. Instead, we ladies throw on whatever is clean and comfortable and then head to the park. Sporting and outdoor leisure for females was a new concept in the 1800s, and etiquette experts scrambled [...]

1950s fashion: summer dresses

By | July 18th, 2023|Categories: 1950s Fashions, 1950s fun, Fashion history|Tags: , |

There is nothing like a summer BBQ or a warm night out on the town. A few weeks ago I explored how Victorian women altered their clothing to make their long-sleeved dresses and multiple layers more tolerable during the season. While the dresses I shared were stunning, it did make me thankful that we have [...]