We dressed five millennials in outfits inspired by their glam grannies

We adore our Gran Designs! As 1950s style is back, we dressed five millennials in outfits inspired by their glam grannies

  • Femail made over five women, aged 19- 27, based on photos of their grannies
  • Asha Parkinson, 19, said her grandmother’s outfit would be great for a wedding
  • Maddie Dale, 22, from London said she loves her granny’s style and clothes 

IT WOULD BE GRAND FOR A WEDDING 

Asha Parkinson, 19, is a music student at the Guildhall School in London. Her grandmother, Joan Herbert, 83, lives in a care home near Dartford, Kent.

‘Looking at photos of my granny as a young woman put her in a totally different perspective.

‘In this picture it’s 1955, she’s the same age as me and training to be a nurse in Lancashire. She looks so much more grown-up than I do. Now, Nana has Alzheimer’s. It made me quite emotional wearing this dress and thinking of how she was, rather than how she is now.

‘I loved the outfit but it feels so grand that it would have to be for a proper occasion like a wedding.’


Asha Parkinson, 19, is a music student at the Guildhall School in London. Her grandmother, Joan Herbert, 83, lives in a care home near Dartford, Kent. Asha wears: Dress, £79, sosandar. com; cream shoes, £215, lkbennett. com. Right, Joan Herbert, aged 19 in 1955


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WE BOTH LOVE BOLD PRINTS 

Maddie Dale, 22, from London, works in marketing. Christine Dale, 80, is her grandmother and lives in Birmingham.

‘I love my granny’s sense of style. In this picture, she’s on holiday in Newquay, Cornwall, and it’s 1953.

‘Like her, I prefer prints and bold colours, which I don’t think many girls my age do.

‘I tried on a skirt of hers the other day, which had a purple and green print on a navy background, and I’ll be borrowing it some time soon.

‘I think my grandma looks sweet and respectable — but when I wore the outfit I felt a bit like a librarian! 


Maddie Dale, 22, from London, works in marketing. Christine Dale, 80, is her grandmother and lives in Birmingham (right as a teenager on holiday in 1953). Maddie wears: Cardigan, £25, marksand spencer.com; white shirt, £89, baukjen.com; gingham skirt, £103, J Crew at net-aporter. com; shoes, £35, marks andspencer.com

SMART MOVE IS SO FEMININE

Julia Gomez Gonzalez, 22, is studying languages in London. Grandmother, Maria Angels Jane Lucas, 79, lives between homes in Spain and Italy with her husband, 82.

‘Living in Barcelona in the Fifties and Sixties, my grandmother’s stunning wardrobe was largely made to measure rather than bought in a shop.

‘In this picture from the Fifties, she’s about 18 and wearing a piece created by a French dressmaker.

‘Now she doesn’t dress up quite as much, though she has some beautiful clothes which she wears when she goes out to dinner with her friends.

‘I adore clothes and shopping around for just the right pieces in shops such as Zara. She and I have very much the same petite build, so it’s hard to find things to fit.

‘I loved wearing the dress — it was so different to my usual style and I felt very feminine.’


Julia Gomez Gonzalez, 22, is studying languages in London. Grandmother, Maria Angels Jane Lucas, 79, lives between homes in Spain and Italy with her husband, 82, right, in the Fifties, aged 18. Julia wears: Dress, £89 Richard Quinn at debenhams. com; shoes, lkbenett. com necklaces, £65 each, hobbs.co.uk

IT’S A TREAT TO LOOK SO NEAT

Mimi Gillies, 25, is an events co-ordinator in London. Her 86-year-old grandmother, Norma Nelson, lives in Winchester, Hampshire.

‘Clothes have always been important to my grandmother, who worked on the fashion floor at Selfridges.

‘Here, she is on her honeymoon in 1957 in Barcelona, aged 24. A friend of hers made the dress.

‘I usually choose clothes for comfort, but felt so much more neat and put-together wearing the dress.’

Mimi Gillies, 25, is an events co-ordinator in London. Her 86-year-old grandmother, Norma Nelson, lives in Winchester, Hampshire (right, in 1957, on her honeymoon in Barcelona, aged 24). Mimi wears: Dress, £15, Mela at newlook.com; court shoes, £25, marks and spencer.com

SHE’LL LOVE SEEING ME OUT OF JEANS 

Olivia Bence-Trower, 27, is a personal shopper. She lives in London. Granny, Sheena Bence-Trower, 89, lives in Hampshire.

‘My grandmother — or ‘Gammy’ as I call her — is very proud of my job in fashion although she’s not impressed with my ripped jeans!

‘She is very glamorous and has a fantastic collection of hats.

‘My cousins and I used to borrow her clothes and dress up when we were smaller. In the picture she is at a wedding.

‘I loved doing the shoot and hope I’ve done her proud. I would wear the outfit again — but not till I’m in my 30s like Gammy in the photo.’ 


Olivia Bence-Trower, 27, is a personal shopper. She lives in London. Granny, Sheena Bence-Trower, 89, lives in Hampshire, right,  aged around 30 at a wedding.  Olivia wears: Coat, £399, Ted Baker; pearls, £40, Jon Richard at Debenhams; faux fur collar, £70, LK Bennett; belt, £32, Loveyaayaa; bag, £73, Dune London; shoes, £195, Russell & Bromley; hat, £39, Christys’ Hats

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