The Best of My Grandma’s 1970s Wardrobe

A Look at Disco Glamour, Hippie Chic, and Handcrafted Heirlooms

I’m running a bit behind this month, but the Vintage Vault episode where I research my followers' pieces will be out next week and I am so excited to share it with you.

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My grandma's vintage clothing collection is a blend of all her favorite garments, spanning decades from Edwardian pieces and 30s/40s fashion (her favorite eras) to garments from the 80s/90s that my parents wore in high school. However, the 60s and 70s are by far the most represented decades. It’s the time when my grandma and her friends/family were young adults with their own income and independence to purchase and wear whatever they liked. They were also unburdened by the practicalities of parenthood or the ageism that often dictates how one should dress, thus free to experiment with style.

This is perfect for me, as I’m absolutely captivated by the 70s—the eye-catching disco pieces, the floral hippie garments, and especially the handmade garments created by my great-grandma Donna, who was a seamstress. It’s incredible to think that no one else on the planet has these pieces, as they were crafted by my great-grandma herself! Here are my 6 favorite 1960s/1970s garments in our collection and the stories behind them:

1. Grandma’s jeans:

I don’t have to tell you that body types vary (and I personally don’t know a woman who doesn’t struggle to find jeans that fit her) however, the insane high-rise on these 1970s jeans is everything my long torso has ever needed. They’ve become my go-to daily wear, not just because they’ve redefined how I shop for jeans, but also because it’s amazing that they fit me just as well as they did my grandma. She even had them hemmed to a length that fits me perfectly… spooky!

2. Grandpa’s Flo Toronto Shirt:

I remember getting quite a few TikTok comments claiming this shirt was technically women’s wear, but the buttons being on the right side suggest otherwise. Plus, Grandpa was just a cool guy rocking a floral shirt from a Canadian designer! I love wearing this shirt with a dickey underneath for a faux collar look.

3. Grandma’s Foxmoor Top: