Recollections is your connection to history-inspired fashions. What was once a dream on a kitchen table has grown into an e-tail company with a global presence. Recollections was founded in 1981 in southern Michigan.
It quickly grew into a bricks-and-mortar retailer and mail order company specializing in wedding attire inspired by the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The original line consisted of dresses, skirts, blouses, petticoats, camisoles, and pantaloons.
Over the next 18 years, Recollections grew as a cottage industry. Operations moved to Hawks, a tiny picturesque community less than 10 miles from the shore of Lake Huron in Northeast Michigan. The company opened in the former Bismarck Township Hall, where operations continue to this day.
Why did Marianne move away from the hustle and bustle of the greater Detroit area to Northern Michigan? "Look around you! I never tire of the beauty and peacefulness of the area. We used to vacation in Rogers City in the summer when I was a teenager, so I was familiar with the area. I live in a log cabin in the woods less than 1/2 mile from Lake Huron, and the only noise I hear is the soothing sound of the waves rather than the noise of the traffic one hears downstate."
Recollections took the leap to e-tailing in 1999, long before many retailers. The online store featured three dozen products when the website was launched. Today, our online store offers nearly 1,000 garments and accessories from the Georgian/Regency, Victorian (including Civil War era and Old West), and Edwardian eras through the 1920s. We also feature a line of 1950s retro dresses.
Quality in design and construction, and a focus on customer service are the cornerstones of Recollections' foundation. Fabrics and embellishments are carefully selected to create the 'look' that is the hallmark of our clothing. We search until we find the quality fabrics, laces, trims, and accessories our customers expect.
Each garment is lovingly designed by Recollections' founder. Marianne is the creative energy behind the company. Her designs are then created, one at a time, by a network of seamstresses who are part of our extended family. Our models are lovely young women born and raised right here in our corner of Northern Michigan, except for Ola. She is from Ukraine and brings a unique perspective and sense of humor to the family.
Cheryl from Hats and Accessories by Cheryl designs and creates most of our hats. Cheryl and Marianne often work as a team so our hats perfectly complement our garments. Occasionally, they switch places. Instead of Cheryl designing a hat inspired by a garment, Marianne will design dress or ensemble inspired by one of Cheryl's hats. They make quite a team, collaborating and inspiring each other to the next level!
There are many others in our extended family, too. Sharon Meredith specializes in period appropriate hairstyles. Jennifer S. Adkins serves as our photographer and brings a keen sense of composition to each fashion shoot. Sue McDonald and Cheryl design accessories that are in sync our style. Our bloggers, social media, and website specialists, as well as those who provide assistance through customer service and sales are all part of our story.
Our talented and highly valued team is the reason we can offer the highest quality in history-inspired garments proudly made in America just for you!
3,089 Verified Customer Reviews
3,089 Customer Ratings and Reviews
Shopper Approved collects trusted reviews from customers who have made a verified purchase.
4.8
Overall Star
Rating
5-star reviews
About this Company
Recollections is your connection to history-inspired fashions. What was once a dream on a kitchen table has grown into an e-tail company with a global presence. Recollections was founded in 1981 in southern Michigan.
It quickly grew into a bricks-and-mortar retailer and mail order company specializing in wedding attire inspired by the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The original line consisted of dresses, skirts, blouses, petticoats, camisoles, and pantaloons.
Over the next 18 years, Recollections grew as a cottage industry. Operations moved to Hawks, a tiny picturesque community less than 10 miles from the shore of Lake Huron in Northeast Michigan. The company opened in the former Bismarck Township Hall, where operations continue to this day.
Why did Marianne move away from the hustle and bustle of the greater Detroit area to Northern Michigan? "Look around you! I never tire of the beauty and peacefulness of the area. We used to vacation in Rogers City in the summer when I was a teenager, so I was familiar with the area. I live in a log cabin in the woods less than 1/2 mile from Lake Huron, and the only noise I hear is the soothing sound of the waves rather than the noise of the traffic one hears downstate."
Recollections took the leap to e-tailing in 1999, long before many retailers. The online store featured three dozen products when the website was launched. Today, our online store offers nearly 1,000 garments and accessories from the Georgian/Regency, Victorian (including Civil War era and Old West), and Edwardian eras through the 1920s. We also feature a line of 1950s retro dresses.
Quality in design and construction, and a focus on customer service are the cornerstones of Recollections' foundation. Fabrics and embellishments are carefully selected to create the 'look' that is the hallmark of our clothing. We search until we find the quality fabrics, laces, trims, and accessories our customers expect.
Each garment is lovingly designed by Recollections' founder. Marianne is the creative energy behind the company. Her designs are then created, one at a time, by a network of seamstresses who are part of our extended family. Our models are lovely young women born and raised right here in our corner of Northern Michigan, except for Ola. She is from Ukraine and brings a unique perspective and sense of humor to the family.
Cheryl from Hats and Accessories by Cheryl designs and creates most of our hats. Cheryl and Marianne often work as a team so our hats perfectly complement our garments. Occasionally, they switch places. Instead of Cheryl designing a hat inspired by a garment, Marianne will design dress or ensemble inspired by one of Cheryl's hats. They make quite a team, collaborating and inspiring each other to the next level!
There are many others in our extended family, too. Sharon Meredith specializes in period appropriate hairstyles. Jennifer S. Adkins serves as our photographer and brings a keen sense of composition to each fashion shoot. Sue McDonald and Cheryl design accessories that are in sync our style. Our bloggers, social media, and website specialists, as well as those who provide assistance through customer service and sales are all part of our story.
Our talented and highly valued team is the reason we can offer the highest quality in history-inspired garments proudly made in America just for you!
09/04/2019
Website was really easy to navigate and all the answers are available for questions you may have.
Why Recollections?
The quality and selection
Garment Choice
For the “All Hallows Eve” ball
09/04/2019
very good
Why Recollections?
love the dresses, great service
Garment Choice
Love double puff sleeves
09/04/2019
Ordering was easy.
09/03/2019 , NC
Great dress, ordering was easy, friendly help, great prices.
Why Recollections?
Best, most historically correct with out looking like a cheap costume.
Garment Choice
Our Church is celebrating 200 years. As the Rector's wife I felt it is important to represent the Church at the time of it's founding in 1820.
09/03/2019 , CA
Great. The product was beautiful and received it on time.
Why Recollections?
Recommended
Garment Choice
event
09/03/2019
So far so good!
Garment Choice
To complete outfits already purchased from Recollections.
09/02/2019
Easy ordering
Why Recollections?
Our school recommended
Garment Choice
School function and I loved the print
09/02/2019
Easy, quick, honest with sizing and fun!
Garment Choice
I have been looking for a white, stately, elegant blouse to wear under my business suits for many, many years. Trying to locate a long-sleeved blouse with ruffle sleeves seemed next to impossible, unless hiring a tailor to make one, hand-made for $800! Thanks for breaking my curse! :-D
Why Recollections?
Thank the Lord I've found a clothing website with items made in the USA!
09/02/2019
Easy to navigate site. Great photos enhance ideas for use of clothing. Previous purchases well worth the money.
Why Recollections?
Past happy customer!
Garment Choice
I am expanding my historic living history acting to include Betsy Ross
09/02/2019
Easy and lots of choices.
Why Recollections?
My daughter orders from you for her mardi gras balls
Garment Choice
Loose in the stomach area.
09/01/2019
I've had a good experience shopping with Recollections. It is fun to dress as a Victorian lady and volunteer at Heritage House in Riverside. Thank you!
Why Recollections?
Good service & choice of clothing.
Garment Choice
They are part of the Victorian era.
08/31/2019 , TX
Love Love LOVE everything I've ever ordered !!!
Why Recollections?
Best made period ladies fashions bar none!!!
Garment Choice
On Clearance today
08/31/2019
They always get my order right, ship fast and the quality of the dresses is unmatched for the price! Totally satisfied I tell everyone I know about Recollections
Garment Choice
Re-enactmentneeds
Why Recollections?
Because of the price and quality of work
08/31/2019
All good.
08/30/2019
It took a few minutes to get used to the website, but I got the hang of it.
Why Recollections?
I have been very impressed with the styles that are available and that the garments are well marked for the period.
Garment Choice
Classic design, with lovely details. Will elevate my wardrobe for Edwardian events.
08/30/2019
beautiful website
Garment Choice
style and color choices
Why Recollections?
price is reasonable and the section is really good
08/30/2019
good so far!
Why Recollections?
price
Garment Choice
authenticity for Gold Rush era
08/29/2019
It was pretty great. I was worried about my dress being ready on time due to waiting a tad too long to order. It was done even sooner than first estimated.
Why Recollections?
I had a Victorian era larp to attend and they had the best selection and prices for what I was wanting.
Garment Choice
I was in a larp with a character who was working class. Most of the Victorian costuming out there tends to assume people want to look wealthy and I needed something for someone who was an average person in 1897. It's one of the few resources out there for that.
08/29/2019
Helped me choose correct size and pick shoes to match
Garment Choice
Over the loom on model and that it had short sleeves and cost was great
Why Recollections?
Quality and custom ordering
08/29/2019 , CT
This is my second dress that I've ordered from Recollections. I'm a fiddler in an 18th century band, so my recent purchase replaced a "commoners" outfit. The new outfit is wonderful, fits perfectly and I'll be fiddling in style from now on!
I'd like to see more historical information for your products, such as period appropriate hats and other garments for 18th century.
Why Recollections?
I chose Recollections for the great, easy to use website and their wonderful customer service.
Garment Choice
This garment is appropriate for 18th century dances.
Why Trust Verified Reviews?
Verified Reviews are real, authentic reviews collected from actual paying customers, using Shopper Approved's Verified Review Platform. When reviews are Verified by Shopper Approved, you know that you can trust them to make better buying decisions.
Unverified Reviews on the other hand, are reviews collected by Open Review platforms that allow anyone to leave a review, without any validation or proof of purchase. Unfortunately, most reviews you read online are Unverified Reviews, and can't be trusted.
As a consumer, here's how you can tell the difference:
Verified Reviews from Verified Review Platforms like Shopper Approved, have much higher review counts and higher overall Star ratings, because they attempt to collect reviews from every single paying customer.
Unverified Reviews from Open Review Platforms, tend to have much lower review counts and more negative Star ratings, because people with bad experiences are primarily those who leave reviews. This often creates a misleading, inaccurate portrayal of a companies true reputation.
So, when searching for Verified Reviews, look for the name you know you can trust. Shopper Approved.
Are you a Business?
See What Shopper Approved
Can Do For You