Did you envy Diane Keaton’s outfits in “Something’s Gotta Give” or Merely Streep’s in “It’s Complicated?” Are you a fan of Nancy Meyers movies with their perennial summertime lifestyle full of beautiful older women in linen tunics and arranging fresh flowers? Do you enjoy nine solid hours of sleep in a room with a humidifier, an air purifier, and a diffuser? If yes, to any or all of the above, then you are right on track for this season’s hottest trend, the coastal grandmother.
Adopting the coastal grandmother aesthetic means wearing loose, breathable fabrics and doing strength training by shifting a full glass of Sauvignon Blanc from hand to hand. It means shelling peas on an outdoor chaise lounge or getting up at six to watch the sunrise and drink really good coffee. Coastal grandmother is not about conforming to typical, youth-influenced expectations of female beauty. It’s about being comfortable and feeling elegant in a down-to-earth sort of way. Coastal grandmother is not exclusive to women of a certain age; it’s a style that attracts and welcomes all, old or young, women or men, oceanside or landlocked; anyone can tap into the coastal grandmother vibe with a few key items.
With comfort and practicality as key components of the coastal grandmother, you don’t want to don anything too form-fitting or with too many bells-n-whistles. Simple silhouettes in easy materials are essential. For your basic coastal grandma uniform, you’ll need a billowing button-down shirt. In white or stripes, an oversized menswear-inspired shirt can be worn on its own or open with a t-shirt or camisole underneath. Pair your shirt with linen pants or vintage khakis. Khaki shorts are another option. If you have or can find them, a men’s khaki looks great on women for a bit of a tomboy-chic effect a la classic Katherine Hepburn.
To accessorize your summertime button-down and linen pants look, you’ll need an easy sandal. Birkenstock-style is the most prevalent for coastal grandmothers, or go with Huarache-style sandals if you prefer more coverage. Instead of jewelry, wear a scarf or bandana to add a bit of flair. Wear it around your head as a kerchief, around your neck, or for longer scarves, draped over your shoulders like a shawl. Carry your summer essentials in an oversized straw or tote bag, and top off your look with a big straw or sleek bucket hat in navy, white, or neutral.
The traditional coastal grandmother is a person of unlimited means, but that’s the fantasy. You don’t have to be a grandmother or a fan of Diane Keaton or Nancy Meyers to embrace this aesthetic. If you take the “mother” out of this trend, then you’re left with “coastal grand,” and doesn’t that sound lovely? To get into this style, think of understated, wealthy-person-dress-up. If you’re wondering where you can obtain some coastal grandma fashion, check out companies like Soft Surroundings, Garnet Hill, and J.Jill.
You may not be so much into the look of a coastal grandmother but do appreciate the lifestyle aspect or just the general vibe. If so, no need to wear linen and a hat; instead, make mimosas with freshly squeezed OJ, conjure the ocean with a white noise machine, decorate with pictures of lighthouses, or any way you can think of to embrace what is real, tactile, and simple. The coastal grandmother eats well, drinks (probably gardens), and takes long walks.
Gentlemen can also adopt this trend. A white button-down, khakis, or linen drawstring pants if you’re feeling bold. A thick-strapped sandal, skip the scarf and tote but keep the straw or canvas hat, and voila, you got coastal grandpa!
