our grandmas are the true fashion queens
6 trouvé readers share their most beloved pieces from their grandmothers
When my big sis tipped me this brilliant post idea, I immediately started asking around.
The replies were so heartfelt. Through clothing, our grandmothers are right there with us: whether it’s for important events of our lives, or the simple, mundane, day-to-day.
So this week, no links or tips. Instead, a pause to celebrate the irreplaceable pieces in our closets and the incredible women we link them to 💖
— Mamie Annie
My grandma was famous for her beauty and style, rocking leopard print and glitter like no other. She always dressed as if the world was her runway... even her house slippers had heels.
Half of my nicest pieces come from her closet (and the other half from my mom’s, this apple never thrifts too far from the tree).
Some of my favorite pieces are a leather & fabric hat, a wool & leather perfecto (‘you take it, I bought it for myself but it feels a little too ‘young’ for me’), a white see-through dress shirt with a big retro collar, and a Dior leopard print crop top (I kid you not).
After my grandma died, her walk-in closet was sanctuarized, left as she left it. My cousins, aunts and I go in there from time to time and borrow clothes.
When I came back to Europe after a few years in warmer climates, I locked myself into the tight space of her closet, filled to the ceiling with colorful fabrics. Surrounded by her smell, I told grandma all about the new job and moving back. So she gave me a few colorful sweaters that would look nice for the office, including this orange one that I wear almost daily in the winter.
— Gaga
Learned from grandmother and my mother both, I’ve always known ‘style’ to be something you own. Not dependent on age, trends, seasons, how many or few items are in your closet, etc.—it’s just a thing that inherently belongs to you.
My grandmother, Gaga, died somewhat suddenly last July. Her closet and dresser drawers are still, for the most part, just as she left them—several small plastic bins filled with watches (her watch collection must be 100+), little felt bags and cardboard boxes of costume jewelry, and racks of clothing.
Every day, I wear some combination of the same accessories: a lizard skin mechanical watch, a small diamond ring, a tortoiseshell ring, and a little gold signet bracelet. Each item except the bracelet originally belonged to my grandmother—I bought the bracelet for myself and had it engraved with ‘Frances,’ our shared middle name, after she passed.
Two winters ago, my grandmother shipped me a long, houndstooth wool coat of hers. It has accompanied me to parties, drinks with girlfriends, dinners, and many treks across the city. Slipping on the rings, watch, and bracelet is some little unconscious ode to my grandmother.
When I see my sister wearing a different set of rings that belonged to her, or my mom wearing one of her tops or coats or shoes, I think of it like some silent song for her that carries on throughout our days.
— Mamounette
My Mom’s mom, Adeline, known to us as Mamounette, was a fashionable independent woman who always wore her hair pinned back with two big comb barrettes, one on each side. My outspoken grandma was from the south of France and grew up in Marseille in the 30 & 40s, but spent the rest of her life in Paris, working as a dentist.
I inherited some beloved pieces from her, including two rings that were likely from her mother or aunts, which I wear daily.
Here I am wearing her classic cotton striped shirt, that still has small padding in the shoulders. She was taller and broader than me, so I wear it as an oversized piece. It also served me well in pregnancy and breastfeeding days.
On my November wedding day, I hadn’t planned anything to wear over my outfit. Luckily, my mom thought to bring an over the shoulder mink shawl from my grandmother, something she would take out on special occasions. This is not something I would usually wear, but felt special, and was nice and warm over my shoulders while still showing my outfit.
Juliette — Granny (Gram, Bon Papa, Grand-Père)
As long as I can remember, Granny has always been chic, always with a red lip and red nails. Rain or shine, Sunday mass or gardening, she always manages to wear appropriate yet classy clothing.
I try to emulate her timeless sense of style as much as I can, but I still sometimes wear outfits that I know she wouldn’t approve of (hello big chunky platform boots and extra piercings) because I also need some Juliette in there.
Pictured above from left to right:
Wonderful dress for weddings, I also love it for its pockets!!!
SUPER cool blazer but had to yield to a sister because I was ‘hoarding’ Granny’s cool clothes. I miss it.
One of my favorite dresses I have gotten from Granny, so light, colorful and fun.
I also treasure sweaters from my grandfathers, Bon-Papa et Grand-Père. Some are a bit stretched out in some places and hole-y but I have some mending projects for it that I’m looking forward to try out!
— Grany
Grany was incredibly stylish. At age 89, she wore converse and replaced the laces with colorful ribbons. She had flowy dresses that she accessorized with long necklaces. She never missed an occasion to have fun with her wardrobe and pulled off just about anything because of her innate class.
When she passed, I inherited this Burberry jacket. The cut is impeccable and the color timeless. The sleeves can be removed for lighter weather. She added a small fish pin to it. There were a few spare coins in the pocket when I got it. I have not had the heart to empty the pockets yet.
The jacket smells like her cosy home. I miss her so much.
Laure & Juliette — Mamichèle
After Mamichèle passed, her granddaughters reunited in her home and spent hours looking through her closet. It was strange and sad to be there without her, but we kept thinking: she must be loving this from wherever she is.
Says Laure: Mamichèle was very coquette, never seen leaving her house without a chapeau. She raised 3 boys and was rewarded with 8 granddaughters. She loved noticing our outfits and always told us we were the most beautiful.
Above, Mamichèle in one of her many berets, and in her (or was it ours?) favorite cherry sweater 🍒 In her closet, I found a denim midi skirt and a brown corduroy blazer. They’re casual items that are easy to wear and feel extra special to me.
Says Juliette: I’m always cold in winter. But this brown coat I found in Mamichèle’s closet now keeps me extra warm. Plus, I feel like I bring her along with me every day during the colder winter months.
I loved all these sweet stories, and now I’d love to hear: what are the gems you’ve inherited from your grandmothers?
Thank you to all our wonderful grandmas, we love you so much 💖💖💖
— Laure
This is so beautifully written Laure 🥹 I, too, have so many gems from my grandmother's and my mother's closets, it's where I "shopped" on my first visit to the US after I moved to Paris and now those pieces are my most worn and most cherished. I have tons of scarves from grandma and lucked out to be able to fit in some of the outerwear from my great grandmother + mom as well ❤️
So incredibly heartwarming - this made my day 💕🫶 I have a scarf from one of my grandmothers (whom I sadly never met) and it’s easily my most treasured item, wardrobe or otherwise - the one thing I’d grab if my home were ever on fire. From my other grandmother, nothing clothing-wise, but I do have a collection of children’s books she once edited, which I cherish just as much!