Costal Grandma Chic
Yes, you read that right! “Coastal Grandma Chic” is really a current trend and it caused quit a stir among our Stylish Monday group! Although I’m a grandma and absolutely LOVE everything about my role as a grandma somehow I never quit put myself in the grandma category. I guess when I think of “grandma styles” these descriptions come to mind – frumpy, out of style, stuck in another decade, house dresses. None of these paint a very fashionable or stylish picture. The picture below is what I envision. That is my great grandma whom I loved dearly! I think she looks darling in her hat and dress! (That’s me next to her on my first Communion day in 1968.) When I think about the differences from 1968 (the year of the picture) to today I’m grateful that we have far more fashion options and I believe are more free to wear what we love and that brings us joy!
However, many of my gal pals are grandmas and none of these descriptions would even come close to describing them! I think that’s the beauty of today. We get to be and dress however we want no matter our age! I’m all for being a stylish, chic grandma for the rest of my life! I don’t get all wrapped up in the semantics.
What exactly is “Coastal Grandma Chic” you ask? A recently coined phrase by Tiktoker Lex Nicoleta, the Coastal Grandmother aesthetic is based on “…Nancy Meyers movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, cosy interiors and more!”
It’s linen shirts and/or pants. It’s lightweight cable-knit sweaters. It’s striped boatneck tops. It’s straw hats and rattan bags and leather-and-cork slides. It’s billowy dresses with chunky jewelry and a contrasting blazer. It’s crisp button-downs with the cuffs rolled up. It’s the type of woman who always has freshly-cut flowers on display and can wear white without spilling on it.
It’s what Donna Karan’s Cashmere Mist perfume would be if it were a sentient being.
Luckily, none of the signature traits of a coastal grandmother actually require having grandchildren so the aesthetic is entirely achievable (even if you don’t live on the coast and aren’t a grandma yet). All you need to do is lean into high-quality simplicity. This could be as easy as wearing an oversized cardigan to the farmer’s market and bringing a reusable woven tote—of course it will help if you make a fresh salad with the ingredients you buy when you get home.
My Interpretation of Coastal Chic – 6 Looks
If you follow me, you know that I love all the bright colors, more is better and unique pieces call my name! Therefore, when this theme was decided on, I was quick to bow out. Not sure why I tend to do that but I always rethink my decision and like pushing myself to try new styles, and new things I wouldn’t normally wear or pick out without a little nudge! So here is my spin on this TikTok originated trend!
Coastal Chic Look 1
I already had these beige cargo pants in my closet and since the Coastal Grandma Chic vibe includes neutral colors and cotton and linen garments it seemed like a good base to start from. An oversized white tee to keep the palette neutral, my pearls because no outfit should ever be left without accessories and these Marc Fisher straw slides. I thought the pearls were subtle enough not to overpower the outfit in order to be true to this trend. It was easy to add my denim shirt as an extra layer. A Coastal Grandma Chic look would not be complete without a straw tote and bucket hat. I’ve shared that I’m not a hat person and that still stands true. Not the most flattering look on me in my opinion. I wanted the tote, bucket hat and slides to match – all straw. These pieces seem like they’d be a wardrobe stable for most and already in you closet.
Shop Coastal Chic Look 1
Coastal Chic Look 2
Look 2 started with these loose fitting Ralph Lauren white linen pants with a paper-bag draw string waist. I sized up one but I’m thinking I should have stayed true to size. White pants can be hard to navigate in terms of sheerness and fit. I am hoping they shrink a tad when I wash them. Stripes are part of the Coast Grandma Chic vibe and I already had this striped Door County hoodie in my closet. It also has a rope string waist and pockets. A coastal grandmother would wear a striped sweater over a collared shirt. kept my Marc Fisher slides on for all of my outfits for this post. I had another striped hoodie that was similar to this one from Cape Cod in pink. It was way too large on me (thankfully) and landed in the donate pile. Kept my pearl earrings and bracelets on but removed the necklace as it was too long.
A coastal grandma would take long walks on the beach (either solo or with her beloved dog). You can see that I’d be with my furry love, Maize!
Shop Coastal Chic Look 2
Ralph Lauren White Linen Pants
Ralph Lauren White Linen Pants
Coastal Chic Look 3
The ruffle-sleeve dress features a square neckline for ease of wear, along with pleated detailing along the front for easy movement when walking, sitting and going about your day. Pair it with any bra (undergarments was our last Stylish Monday post – click HERE) you would like, mules or slides to complete your effortless look. The bonus is that it has pockets! I sized down one to a small and am thinking I could have tried an xs. A floppy hat felt more fitting with this look than a bucket hat. Kept my pearls, slides and tote the same! The dress comes in five color choices. I couldn’t resist this blue and cream color for some visual interest although I still feel as though it maintains that coastal vibe!
Shop Coastal Chic Look 3
Women’s Short Ruffle Sleeve A-Line Dress
Coastal Chic Look 4
Shorts over 60? Hell ya! That might have to be an upcoming post! I grabbed these high rise poplin striped shorts because I knew they would fit with this aesthetic plus I live in shorts and tees all summer long. They easily pair with my white t-shirt and denim shirt.
To switch up this look, I knotted the denim shirt at my waist and added my floppy hat and tote. I am in a medium and am thinking I could have sized down to a small.
Shop Coastal Chic Look 4
High Rise Poplin Striped Shorts
Coastal Chic Look 5
I couldn’t resist adding some color into my version of a Coastal Grandma Chic look! Both these pieces were already in my closet – the Sunset sweater and cargo pants. A lightweight summer sweater is must whether you’re on the coast or not. Instead of my denim shirt I opted to layer on my denim jacket, which is another wardrobe staple and in everyone’s closet.
Shop Coastal Chic Look 5
Sunset Yellow Blue Distressed Sweater (love this one!)
Coastal Chic Look 6
I’ve had this J. Jill linen top in my closet forever! Speaking of J. Jill, I just received their summer catalog and the cover title is “Coastal Connections”. Not even sure when or why I purchased this linen top or why I’ve even held on to it this long. However, it’s perfect for the Coastal Chic look – simple and easy to throw on and go. It’s rather sheer so I kept on my white tee underneath. The boxy fit of the top and the loose fit of the linen white pants make me want to add a front tuck to give some structure and shape. It’s a super comfortable outfit but in all honesty I’m not quit sure it does too much for me. It’s probably time to give the the top away.
Shop Coastal Chic Look 6
Ralph Lauren White Linen Pants
Ralph Lauren White Linen Pants
This is one of my favorite items in the new J. Jill summer catalog! It’s the indigo dip-dyed shirttail tunic. I think it would be such a great denim staple in your wardrobe and could be worn so many ways – not just coastal chic!
Shop the J. Jill Tunic Here
Shop Coastal Grandma Chic
Coastal Chic By My
Stylish Friends From Around the World
Nicole – High Latitude Style – “Coastal Chic depends on so much more than just personal style. Consequently, there is no one-fits-most solution. Factors like ocean and air temperatures, color and type of the beach, weather, time of the year, culture, location, your activities, etc. play a role. When living in Europe, I loved long beach walks in The Netherlands in fall on a windy day with gray skies. My typical outfit was a yellow men’s rain jacket with hood, jeans, and rubber boots.”
Emma – The Style Splash – “Coastal Chic is pretty much the antithesis of my style – neutrals, linen and minimalism are my kryptonite. But I love a challenge, so I adapted this trend of the moment to suit my style.”
Shelbee – Shelbee on the Edge-“Coastal Chic: Want to try a new style trend on a budget? Check out my mostly thrifted outfit that brought this trend to life for me without breaking the bank!”
Lucy – Lucy Bertoldi.com “The coastal look involves lots of light colours. Light pastels look great at this time of the year, as do bright colours (take yellow for instance!). The important thing is to keep the fabric light- preferably cottons, linens, silks, muslins…you get the picture. The whole essence of this vibe is based on the lightness of the fabric, so that the draping is airy and moves with your flow. For today’s collaboration I chose this light pink striped dress with ruffled collar/sleeves.”
Amy – Amy’s Creative Pursuits – “There are so many different ways one can embrace the coastal trend, my favorite is the classic, neutral look where you mix different shades of whites, creams, and beiges in one outfit.”
Suzanne – Ask Suzanne Bell – “For me, “Coastal Grandma” is less of a style (look), and more of an aesthetic, one we’ve been embracing in our Coastal Communities, unaware that we were trending. Think Oprah, Ina Garten, Martha Stewart, or my personal favorite, Diane Keaton, who by the way, was 56 years YOUNG, when she filmed the movie Something’s Gotta Give. The best part? You don’t have to be a grandmother, or live in a coastal community to try out this look. Furthermore, there’s a good chance you can recreate a Coastal Chic look, with items you already own in your closet!”
Andy – Pearls and Pantsuits – “Coastal Chic, or “Coastal Grandmother” as the TikTok crowd calls it, is a whole vibe, and I’m so here for it! I’m a sucker for linen pants, so my take on the trend consists of a comfy pair of linen pants from Target, paired with a breezy chambray tunic from Chico’s. I added the straw bucket hat as an homage to the OG Coastal Grandmothers – Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton.”
Nancy – Nancy’s Fashion Style -“Well I don’t live near the coast, and if I’m near the coast it’s in England. And I’ll tell you I’ve never seen anyone walking there in the coastal grandmother style, more raincoats and Hunters style. I think you should picture more of the California coast then. And warm neutrals, trousers with elastic at the waist and especially comfortable…….you hear it, I’m really not a fan of it. Maybe my fashion friends can make me change my mind. But do take a look at what I made of it!”
Nina – Sharing a Journey – “While I am not keen on the “Grandma” in the title, I love coastal chic vibes in clothing, lifestyle and interiors. Coastal Chic is for everyone and can be created from our wardrobes –no need to go out and buy anything new!”
Ada – Elegance and Mommyhood – “The Coastal Grandma trend has a silly name which is kind of offensive and ageist but what the trend means itself is indeed beautiful. To me – and I am nowhere close to being a grandma – it stands for effortless breezy summer looks that you would wear by the coast on a beach, especially in blues and whites (the color of sea and sand), floppy hats, sunglasses, sandals, flip flops & wedges. I chose this beachy look from my Florida vacation because it is perfect for the coast and the beautiful neutral crochet dress reminds me of grandmas.”
Let’s Chat
Is the title “Coastal Grandma Chic” offensive to you? Have you tried this trend? Leave us a comment! We love to hear from you! A friendly reminder to always have fun and wear all the things that you love, that bring you joy and happiness and you’ll look terrific! You can be cute and trendy no matter your age or size if it’s important to you! Don’t forget to try new things as you just might find something you really like that you thought you wouldn’t!
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Fabulous post. I love ALL your coastal outfits. I think “Grandmas” of today are so different than Grandmas of the past. But I think our culture has changed making it more acceptable to wear what we want. I think “back then” when a woman became a mother she had to dress a certain way or it would be “scandalous”. I remember seeing photos of my MIL when she was a young mother and she looked so old to me because of her dress and hairstyle.
Hi Amy!
I agree with you! I’m so grateful that we can wear what we want no matter our age! I have no intent of dressing “old” because I’m young at heart and plan to always wear what I love!
Julie xo
Hey Julie! I am so happy you decided to opt back in this month because your outfits are beautiful and full of inspiration! And wow, can you rock the shorts – you really are one really stylish grandma. love all the looks, the shorts outfit and dress are so pretty.
And, your grandma is beautiful and you are so adorable!
xx
Suzanne
http://www.AskSuzannebell.com
Hi Suzanne!
I appreciate your kind comments Suzanne! While I don’t think this is my most comfortable outfitting, I do believe it’s always good to try something new. You never know what you’ll find you like. I do adore being a grandma and loved my great grandma dearly!
Julie xo
Thanks Julie for always posting such great outfits-I think I found my style! I could totally do most of these looks (of course So. Cali. beaches are never far from my thoughts).
Hi Deb!
I’m so happy that you liked these outfit ideas! You’re the PERFECT “Coastal Grandma Chic”! Hope you’re enjoying the start to your retirement! I’m sure going to miss you!
Julie xo