Four fashion icons and the history of lipstick

    By | September 5th, 2023|Categories: 1920s fashion, 1950s Fashions, 1950s fun, Fashion, Fashion history, Victorian culture, Women's History|Tags: , |

    I love to wear lipstick and do so almost every day. Occasionally I notice that in casual settings I am the only woman doing so, but there is something about it that makes me feel like “me.” Coloring one’s lips has a history that goes back thousands of years, with it signifying different meanings entirely [...]

      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 [...]

        Mary Quant: British Fashion Influencer

        By | April 19th, 2023|Categories: Fashion history, Women's History|Tags: , |

        England lost one of its most notable fashion designers this month with the passing of Mary Quant, the Swinging 60s creator who is often credited for popularizing mini skirts, hot pants, and clothing whimsy. I am a big fan of both mini skirts (I bought two this weekend!) and 1960s fashions so began to read [...]

          Cardigans through time

          By | December 14th, 2022|Categories: Fashion, Women's History|Tags: , |

          ‘Tis the season to be cozy! To many of us, that means wool socks, space heaters, and when we finally leave the house, cardigans.  A salute to the origins of the cardigan I love a good fashion history origin story! Especially those that involve accidental trends started by literal fires. Remember the story of the [...]

            The history of corduroy

            By | October 20th, 2022|Categories: 1950s Fashions, Fashion, Textiles|Tags: , |

            Fall is here, the perfect time for corduroy clothes of all types. It’s warm, durable, and oh-so-cozy, just what one wants for the transition from summer to the colder months. Just thinking about corduroy clothing makes me picture walking through my neighborhood park and enjoying the bright-colored leaves that Denver is blessed with right now. [...]

              Led by simplicity: Victorian ball gowns

              By | June 8th, 2022|Categories: Ball Gowns, Fashion, Victorian Era|Tags: , , |

              Few things are more fun to simply look at than Victorian ball gowns. They are truly a feast for the eyes, made with rich colors, exquisite trimmings, artificial flowers, and yards of the finest fabrics. The women who wore them went to great effort to make sure that each detail was just right for each [...]

                Art deco fashion: dresses and gowns

                By | December 4th, 2021|Categories: 1920s fashion, Edwardian Era, Fashion, Roaring 20s|Tags: , , , , |

                The 1910 and early 1920s is one of my favorite periods of fashion history. It fascinates me that women’s fashion took such a drastic turn from the strict silhouette looks of the Victorian era to long, loose, sleek lines. I love the creativity of the era. And naturally, I LOVE anything art deco. Yet still, [...]

                  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 [...]

                    Bonnets through history: can you tell them apart?

                    By | July 25th, 2021|Categories: Accessories, American West, Edwardian Era, Edwardian Fashion, Fashion, Hats, Old West, Pioneer Dress, Regency Era, Victorian Era, Victorian Fashions, Women's History|Tags: , , , , |

                    Last summer I had quite a fun time exploring how the straw hat went from an accessory used mostly by laborers to a shabby chic accessory still enjoyed today. I discovered that bonnets have a similar history, although they started out being used to protect hair while working, were extremely chic for a century or [...]