Good style is timeless, and a sense of fashion can last for generations if it’s classic!
A grandmother’s carefully preserved wedding wardrobe has been passed down to her granddaughter, who wore it with equal flair 70 years later.
Maddy Bill, a 27-year-old from Ambler, Pennsylvania, shared a special video on TikTok featuring a suitcase given to her by her 91-year-old grandmother, Marie D’Alessandro Donato.
The suitcase held a remarkable treasure: every dress her grandmother wore on her 1952 honeymoon to New York. This video marked the first time anyone had opened the suitcase in seven decades.
Marie, who traveled with her late husband Anthony James Donato, meticulously cleaned and stored each outfit to preserve them for her children and grandchildren. Her efforts paid off, as thousands of people are now admiring her collection online.
“I’ve always known about this suitcase since I was a little girl. My mom found it when she was older and told me about it. She saved it for me and my sister for when we grew up,” Maddy said in an interview.
“When I opened it, I thought, ‘This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.’ It brought back so many memories, especially of my grandfather who passed away 21 years ago. It’s wonderful to have this connection to my grandparents from that time in their lives,” she added.
Maddy’s grandparents got married in 1952 and honeymooned in New York City, staying at The New Yorker Hotel and exploring Manhattan.
“She didn’t mind anything else because she was with her ‘honey,’ as she called my grandpa,” Maddy said. “She had a wonderful time just being with him and enjoying the start of their new life together.”
The video of the suitcase garnered hundreds of responses, prompting Maddy to try on her grandmother’s dresses and jewelry.
To her delight, the dresses fit perfectly and were incredibly well-preserved.
“It’s amazing how well they’ve held up, even the elastic is still springy after 70 years,” Maddy said.
One of the standout pieces was a black dress with short sleeves and a cinched waist. Maddy had always been fascinated by a photo of her grandmother wearing it at The New Yorker Hotel.
She also modeled a chic gray jacket, skirt, and sleeveless top that her grandmother wore on the train to the city. Marie’s fashion sense was clearly impeccable.
Maddy is thrilled to share her grandmother’s style with the world and show what an incredible woman she is.
Maddy has told her grandmother about her newfound internet fame and how people admire her style.
“I want to save these pieces for someone special in my future, maybe my child. I don’t want them to be just current fashion pieces; I want them to be cherished like my grandmother did for me,” Maddy said.
This story beautifully highlights the special bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter. Share this tale to showcase the timeless fashion of the 1950s!
