Badass European Grannies

European grandmas are hardcore.
While this fashionable lady looks like a young hipster who’s dyed her pixie shag grey, a la Agyness Deyn or Tavi, she is in fact a badasss European grandma. And a stylish one at that: tribal beads, kitten heels, classic black slacks, and some kind of layered tunic deal. I’d wear that outfit!

While this fashionable lady looks like a young hipster who’s dyed her pixie shag grey, a la Agyness Deyn or Tavi, she is in fact a badasss European grandma. And a stylish one at that: tribal beads, kitten heels, classic black slacks, and some kind of layered tunic deal. I’d wear that outfit!

(Flora, Prague) I love so much about this woman, from her bright red shoes to the fact that she’s still taking public transit to get around Prague. Also, her ensemble matches the tram. 

(Flora, Prague)

I love so much about this woman, from her bright red shoes to the fact that she’s still taking public transit to get around Prague. Also, her ensemble matches the tram. 

(Želivského, Prague) This babička is more hipster than I could ever be. Ironic white ’80s visor? Check. Tunic-style white button-down shirt? Check. Military epaulets (a perpetual source of Etsy inspiration)? Check. Aloof and slightly disinterested posturing? Check and mate.

(Želivského, Prague)

This babička is more hipster than I could ever be.

Ironic white ’80s visor? Check.

Tunic-style white button-down shirt? Check.

Military epaulets (a perpetual source of Etsy inspiration)? Check.

Aloof and slightly disinterested posturing? Check and mate.

(I.P. Pavlova, Prague) One of the many purple-tressed specimens native to continental Europe.  And when I say purple, I don’t mean brown with a subtle plum tinge. I’m talking all-out, punk rock purple.  Party on, grandma.

(I.P. Pavlova, Prague)

One of the many purple-tressed specimens native to continental Europe. 

And when I say purple, I don’t mean brown with a subtle plum tinge. I’m talking all-out, punk rock purple. 

Party on, grandma.

(I.P. Pavlova, Prague) Bright red pants. Matching yellow shoes and bag. Boyish haircut. She reminds me of a hipster version of Christine Lagarde. LOVE IT.

(I.P. Pavlova, Prague)

Bright red pants. Matching yellow shoes and bag. Boyish haircut.

She reminds me of a hipster version of Christine Lagarde.

LOVE IT.

From the fabulous Girl in Czechland blog, a reflection on fashion in the Czech Republic. She found this sporty lady in Prag Moon magazine. She’s rocking white kicks, a striped shirt, and—the pièce de résistance—an orange-tinged mullet.

From the fabulous Girl in Czechland blog, a reflection on fashion in the Czech Republic. She found this sporty lady in Prag Moon magazine. She’s rocking white kicks, a striped shirt, and—the pièce de résistance—an orange-tinged mullet.

(Vltava River, Prague) You know the stereotype of the old man who sits on a park bench feeding breadcrumbs to pigeons? This grandma could kick his butt ten times over. Why? 1. She’s feeding swans, not lowly pigeons. SWANS!  2. She’s not on a depressing park bench. She’s on the Vltava River, in the heart of Prague, surrounded by centuries-old architecture and overlooked by the biggest castle in the world. You win, grandma.

(Vltava River, Prague)

You know the stereotype of the old man who sits on a park bench feeding breadcrumbs to pigeons?

This grandma could kick his butt ten times over. Why?

1. She’s feeding swans, not lowly pigeons. SWANS! 

2. She’s not on a depressing park bench. She’s on the Vltava River, in the heart of Prague, surrounded by centuries-old architecture and overlooked by the biggest castle in the world.

You win, grandma.

(Valtellina, Italy) This woman lives in a speck of a mountain town and probably scales the Dolomites to pick mushrooms for risotto.

(Valtellina, Italy)

This woman lives in a speck of a mountain town and probably scales the Dolomites to pick mushrooms for risotto.

(photo courtesy of Flickr user CharlesFred) So what is this, you may ask?  European grandmothers are intense. They’re strong, active, and always dressed to the nines. And I should know: I had a badass Italian grandmother. Nonna Adelina was born around the turn of the century and had 13 children. She cooked, sang, knit awesome socks, and kept track of a mushrooming family. She biked to the grocery store until she was in her seventies, and then ran her errands on foot until she passed away at the age of 92. She was awesome. So this is a tribute to all the tough-as-nails European grannies out there: the ones with bright purple hair and high heels who can out-sass anyone and still whip up a meal that’ll make you weak in the knees.

(photo courtesy of Flickr user CharlesFred)

So what is this, you may ask? 

European grandmothers are intense. They’re strong, active, and always dressed to the nines. And I should know: I had a badass Italian grandmother. Nonna Adelina was born around the turn of the century and had 13 children. She cooked, sang, knit awesome socks, and kept track of a mushrooming family. She biked to the grocery store until she was in her seventies, and then ran her errands on foot until she passed away at the age of 92. She was awesome.

So this is a tribute to all the tough-as-nails European grannies out there: the ones with bright purple hair and high heels who can out-sass anyone and still whip up a meal that’ll make you weak in the knees.