Dressing for Your Dickens Event

By | September 7th, 2018|Categories: 19th Century Literature, Fashion, Victorian Era, Victorian Era Celebrations, Victorian Fashions|Tags: , , |

Are you attending a Dickens-themed event? Whether you are participating in a Dickens Fair, are part of a Victorian caroling group, or are part of a Dickens production such as A Christmas Carol, it’s important for a lady to know how to dress the part! We’re here to wrap it all up for you in [...]

Recollections Connection: Liesa Joslin, Fashion Model

By | November 1st, 2016|Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , |

Today we are making a connection Liesa Kelley Joslin, a fashion model for Recollections. Q. How long have you been a model for Recollections? A. Honestly, I'm not even sure because I've been doing it so long!  I would say at least 6-7 years?! Possibly more! Q. Is Recollections the only company you’ve modeled for? [...]

The Victorian Skirt – from Petticoats to Bustle: Part 1

By | April 23rd, 2016|Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized, Victorian Era, Victorian Fashions|Tags: , , , , , |

Skirt Hems Widen through Creative Use of Petticoats As the Romantic era in fashion came to a close in the 1830s and evolved into what we consider Victorian era, emphasis returned to the natural waistline. Corsets were back in fashion and the ankle-length skirt took on a bell shape, becoming so full that numerous petticoats [...]

The Victorian Bodice – It’s All About the Waistline: Part 2

By | April 19th, 2016|Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , |

by Donna Klein   Bodice defines the Waistline 1870s to 1890s   At the beginning of the 1870s, most bodices extended to the natural waistline. A tunic (overskirt) was often fitted over the bodice using a belt featuring a large bow in the back. It was during this time that a detachable basque, or very [...]

Halloween is Just Around the Corner!

By | September 3rd, 2015|Categories: Ball Gowns, Civil War, Downton Abbey, Edwardian Era, Fashion, Old West, Pioneer Dress, Roaring 20s, Uncategorized, Victorian Era, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Halloween is Just a Hop-Skip-and-a-Jump Away!   Yes, the calendar just flipped from August to September, and the thermometer is still registering summer temperatures. But, make no mistake, it's almost heeeeeerrrrre! It's time to start thinking about autumn and one of its highlights - Halloween.   Themed parties, no theme parties, and everything in between [...]

Costume College 2015

By | August 21st, 2015|Categories: Ball Gowns, Civil War, Destinations, Edwardian Era, Fashion, Old West, Pioneer Dress, Roaring 20s, Steampunk, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

By Sue McDonald   Costume College - Whirlwind of Classes and Special Events   If you haven’t heard about Costume College, then you haven’t been paying attention! After hearing about it for years, a friend convinced me to enroll last year, and I am now positively addicted to the excitement, the many opportunities for learning [...]

Harvey Girls – the Other Pioneers of the American West

By | August 10th, 2015|Categories: American West, Old West, Pioneer Dress, Uncategorized, Victorian Era, Women's History|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

The Harvey Girls were an important part of the history of the western expansion remembered today in film and by women’s history enthusiasts excited to uncover the often overlooked role that women played in Frontier America. Their story is a fun mix of American ingenuity, the pioneer spirit, and the use of women’s traditional yet [...]

Elks Opera House

By | June 21st, 2015|Categories: Pioneer Dress, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

Elks Opera House Backstory   More than 110 years ago the cornerstone the Elks Opera House was laid on East Gurley Street in Prescott, Arizona. The local Elks Lodge saw a need in the community and decided to incorporate a theater into the plans for their new building. Residents and lodge members raised the necessary [...]

Victorian Fashion: Visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum in London

By | January 30th, 2015|Categories: Destinations, Victorian Era|Tags: , , |

If you are taking a trip to Europe, London is probably one of the destinations you hope to hit. While you are there, in between visiting Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, make sure to stop by the Victoria and Albert Museum and look at their extensive collection. Not only is admission free (yay!), the museum [...]