A love letter to my grandma, who taught me clothes are family heirlooms

“Fashion is in our DNA.”

An overwhelming feeling of comfort comes from wearing my grandmother’s clothing. Whether it’s from her scent that lingers on the fibres or a lipstick mirror left in a pocket, being wrapped up in these garments provides rich nostalgia and meaningfulness no newly-purchased piece could ever replicate. Because of this, pulling together outfits with items I’ve inherited from my grandmother makes me feel deeply connected to my roots.

Having returned home from living abroad for six years in New York, I appreciate the company of my Lithuanian grandmother more than ever. I can tell we’re endlessly similar by the way she shares anecdotes from her careers in performance and fashion.

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I even get to hear about all her boyfriends and saucy relationships – and let me tell you, my grandma loved men just as much as she loved fashion. 
For her, it’s all intertwined; wearing a good outfit is about standing out and being seen. “It’s got to be glamorous and a bit sparkly, and it’s got to make a statement. I want to know if I go somewhere, someone is going to notice me,” she tells me.

I come from a long line of fashion-loving women who’ve always expressed themselves through their style. As my grandma says, “Fashion is in our DNA.” My great-grandmother, Janina Ciunovas, was a renowned Lithuanian ballet teacher described as one of the world’s 10 best ballet teachers of the 20th century. She travelled the world and spent much time in New York City. My grandma says coming from a ballet background, costumes and fashion always surrounded them.

My grandma, Inga, was a performer and dancer on TV and in theatre, even appearing on stage in My Fair Lady. In the ’80s, she worked at Ermina Furs and Leather in the Melbourne Royal Arcade, and later at Myer for over 20 years. She was a fashion icon and stood out among others as a woman with style and grace. My grandma would knit short-sleeved Angora wool sweaters for all the women who worked at Myer, where she finally retired at age 70.

Even as a child, I recall how colourful and classic my grandmother’s style was. She tells me she didn’t always go with what’s in fashion. “I’m a very visual person. I know what I like and what I don’t like. It doesn’t matter what they say in the magazines, make your own style for yourself, and you’ll keep that always,” she says.

When I ask my grandma about my mother’s incredible outfits as a child and her own perfectly-fitted ensembles, she tells me they had a dressmaker. Having a seamstress allowed her to create her own style. “You’ve got to know yourself and mustn’t copy what someone else is wearing. You’ve got to find your own style. I think that’s what fashion is all about,” she said.

My wardrobe now bursts with beautifully-stitched blazers, colourful cashmere wool coats and leather skirt-suit sets. Some other items I’ve inherited that my grandma has collected over the years include navy pin-striped suede suits, sequinned bags, sparkly rainbow headbands and electric purple trousers. People shower me with compliments and questions about where I got my clothes when I wear these items out. Instead of the usual conversation stopper of “Oh, it’s vintage”, I respond, “It was my grandma’s”, sparking discussions about her life and our background.

Just last year, I inherited a cobalt blue Perri Cutten cashmere coat my grandmother received as a birthday present in her early 20s from her father. They stumbled across a shop off Collins Street and saw the blue coat, which she fell in love with after putting it on. I think of this story and imagine my grandma shopping with my late great-grandfather whenever I wear this coat.

I also have a navy cashmere wool coat that was my great-grandmother’s, which my mother gave me to take to New York. I was only 20 years old and didn’t know anyone in the city when I moved there. This coat gave me protection and a sense of home. It reminded me I could achieve anything, just like my great-grandmother did when she was there. I was very protective of it and never allowed it to be coat checked for fear of losing it. I’ve had it repaired a few times and will continue to restore and preserve it to keep it for my future family.

Fashion is an extension of who we are, so infusing our wardrobes with items from our relatives makes sense. I’m blessed to come from a line of fashionable women with excellent taste, but for me, it’s not just about the glamour but more about the stories behind them. Receiving these clothes sparks an insight into my grandmother’s life I may not have had otherwise.

Wearing vintage clothing is not just about prolonging an item’s life. It’s about telling a story and taking us to another place. When clothing is handed down the family tree, the narrative continues. Each memory remains stitched into the garments. It’s as though I’m carrying the presence of all the strong, stylish women in my matrilineal line, giving the pieces another life. They’re not just clothes – they’re family heirlooms.

Looking for advice about preparing hand-me-downs for future generations? Read this.