To get this look right, you need to understand who the coastal grandma is. Hit a specialty food store, a farm stand, or an art fair happening this summer and scan the crowd. Coastal grandma will reveal herself in all her easy living and quiet elegance that you might emulate in your own coastal grandma outfits.
The first thing you'll notice about her is her unapologetic individualism. Because once you hit "grandma", you don't care about the latest trends. You want to be classic, chic, and sophisticated. You dress for comfort with a strong strain of elegant, slightly tousled style.
What Is the Coastal Grandma Aesthetic?
The coastal grandma look offers a strong dose of Euro grandma, a la Isabella Rossellini. Think Nancy Meyers, Ina Garten, and Martha Stewart, all the way. It's the summer version of Meg Ryan Fall, but, since this look is timeless, it can easily take you into spring, fall, and winter, as well. The coastal grandma is quirky, well-traveled, and incisively intelligent. Here's how you can pay her the homage she so richly deserves with coastal grandma fashion that celebrates her effortless style.
Breaking Down the Coastal Grandma Aesthetic
The coastal grandma's wardrobe is about those quiet, unspoken choices that whisper refinement. Her pieces feel familiar, like they've experienced the warmth of many summers. Here's everything that brings it together:
How to Dress Like a Coastal Grandmother?
Linen and knit pieces constitute the majority of coastal grandma outfits. Picture perfectly unbuttoned oversized shirts worn with the confidence of someone who clearly knows their style. A cable knit sweater is casually draped over the shoulders in case the breeze picks up. The accessories are just as elegant, with tote purses, straw hats, and delicate gold jewelry finishing each look.
The Palette
The coastal grandma aesthetic celebrates the beauty of sun-washed hues, from off-whites and soft creams to sandy beiges and pale blues to dusty rose and weathered terracotta. The shades are quiet, comforting, and personal, like they've always belonged to you.
The Styling
Coastal grandma looks are assembled with expertise. There's a slightly undone quality to every item that's selected. The knits are shrugged on, the linen trousers skim the ankles, and the woven purses evoke a sense of whimsy with a satin scarf tied to the handle or a crochet bag charm hanging off the strap.
Is the Coastal Grandma Aesthetic Still In Style?
Absolutely. Coastal grandma fashion is immune to mainstream trends as it's rooted in timeless staples, like knits, linen, textured fashion purses, and understated vegan accessories. It's an effortless, easy-to-wear style that continues to inspire year-round.
See how to achieve the look in three unique ways.
Outfit 1: Relaxed Elegance Anchored With a Crossbody Purse
A key message of the coastal grandma aesthetic is the sense that the wearer prioritizes comfort over structure, elegance over trends. While the fabric may be high-end, the look is understated. Think quiet luxury. While the cut of the clothing may be refined, nothing you wear transmits any message but the joy of pleasing yourself.
The trench coat is a key component of coastal grandma outfits and even better when belted and worn to the ankle, as it was at the Tommy Hilfiger and Carolina Herrera spring/summer shows in white, khaki, and beige. Tie the belt in the back to double up the "devil may care" to wear your trench open, revealing a taupe, cable knit sweater and a white shirt collar peeking out at the neckline. Trousers are loose and relaxed but cut to fit well. On your feet are unassuming tennis shoes. You may even be wearing a ball cap, your hair pulled back at the nape of the neck.
Your handbag reflects the essence of the coastal grandma aesthetic, quietly refined. Being older means having a little money for the things you enjoy wearing, including a sweet little crossbody purse.
Outfit 2: Market-Day Linens With a Straw Satchel in Tow
Key to coastal grandma fashion is the tunic or the trusty white button-up shirt. Fine fabrics make this component of the look, and by fine, we mean silk and silk blends, linen blends, wool Melton, and blends of the same. These are fabrics worthy of someone with some mileage on them. Young fashionistas who wear coastal grandma outfits may only aspire to such mileage!
Full in the sleeves, which are usually cropped to ¾ length, the coastal grandma tunic is cut asymmetrically at the hem, full and flowing. Worn underneath are the full pants this look is renowned for, cut to follow the form of the wearer but not clinging. A neck scarf is desirable, softening the overall aesthetic and adding to its unstructured grace.
A straw satchel purse is the perfect choice for the coastal grandma aesthetic. Carry it over the forearm. The effect is that of running the world without lifting an eyebrow.
Outfit 3: Hepburn-Inspired Neutrals With a Scarf Tied Handbag
Hepburn knew how to wear trousers and shirts, providing an ideal template for coastal grandma fashion. We picture her playing croquet on a manicured lawn, gin and tonic perched on a glass-topped, white wrought iron table. She’s wearing slightly rumpled, off-white linen or linen blend trousers, full and elegantly pleated.
A striped Ralph Lauren shirt, sleeves carelessly rolled up, defines her coastal grandma aesthetic and is neatly tucked into her trousers. The stripes are yellow and white, navy blue and white, or forest green and white. Over her shoulders, she’s thrown a cable knit sweater with the same color stripes (in a larger format), sleeves tied at her chest against the sea breeze. It’s already late August, and the summer tans fade apace.
Her sunglasses are oval. Her straw hat is brimmed widely, flopping nonchalantly, as she deftly wields the croquet mallet. On her feet are mules with straw-look uppers to match her coastal grandma aesthetic. Next to her gin and tonic, she’s set her vacation bag with a scarf tied to the handle. The colors, of course, complement what she’s wearing. She taps the ball, and it shoots through the wicket. Returning to the wrought iron table, she raises her gin and tonic in a victory salute!
Discover Coastal Grandma-Inspired Purses at Urban Expressions
These coastal grandma outfits are the core of the aesthetic, offering you the shapes, colors, and sensibilities of the look. Shop Urban Expressions’ coastal handbags to put an exclamation point on all your coastal grandma aesthetic ensembles, and then head over to that farmer’s market!
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