In case you haven’t already heard, all the hot girls are dressing like coastal grandmothers this summer. What exactly does that mean? Think major main character in a Nancy Meyers movie energy. The term went viral in a video from TikToker Lex Nicoleta, who describes the coastal grandmother aesthetic as, “If you love Nancy Meyers movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, cozy interiors, and more, there’s a good chance you might be a coastal grandmother.”
Zanna Roberts-Rassi, former fashion editor, cofounder of Milk Makeup, and Afterpay Brand Ambassador, describes the look as chic, effortlessly elegant, and comforting. “The style pays homage to looks and designs found in Nancy Meyers films and Martha Stewart Living,” she explains. “For some feel-good additional style inspo, watch Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia! or Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give. Think about what you would wear for a relaxed, sun-drenched Sunday morning.”
Roberts-Rassi recommends sticking to neutral shades like whites, tans, and beiges and soft feel-good fabrics like linen, cashmere, and cotton to fully master the look. So, if you’re ready to sign up for your best coastal grandmother life, we rounded up all the must-have staples to shop to get the look right for summer. Sadly, they do not come with a cozy beachfront home. But you can certainly wear them while you sip Chablis and buy fresh hydrangeas at the farmers market this summer, and that’s the next best thing, IMO.
Keep scrolling to shop and live your best Nancy Meyers–approved life.
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1
This Must-Have Linen Shirt
The Linen Relaxed Shirt
A white linen button-down is the *most* essential part of the coastal grandmother look, trust me. This classic relaxed style from Everlane gets the job done perfectly.
You need a cute straw hat to protect you from the sun while you’re harvesting tomatoes from your summer garden.
3
This Gorgeous Wrap
Oversized Cashmere Wrap
Wrapping myself in super-soft cashmere and drinking white wine on my oceanfront patio, don’t text.
4
A Textured Set
Premium Plisse Shirt & Wide Leg Pants
“One of the top ways we’re seeing the trend is with neutral matching plisse sets like those from Boohoo,” notes Roberts-Rassi. This set looks so effortlessly chic and comfortable.
5
These Sturdy and Stylish Clogs
Tory Burch Coin Mule
Robert-Rossi also points to these practical and stylish “Grandma-sensible clogs” from Tory Burch as an item for any coastal grandmother wardrobe.
6
A Classic Cream Sweater
Collared Cotton-Bouclé Beach Sweater
This collared sweater is a must-have for your coastal grandmother summer. It is fuzzy and lightweight and has pockets. What more could you ask for?
7
These Flowy Linen Pants
Linen-Blend Pull-On High-Rise Wide-Leg Pants
Like I said, lots of linen is required in any coastal grandmother’s wardrobe. These breezy linen pants from Madewell are so comfy and work for the beach and beyond.
8
A Cute Smock Dress
JDY Puff-Sleeve Tiered Midi Smock Dress
This smock dress is another piece Roberts-Rassi says would be perfect for the coastal grandmother look. It’s made with 100 percent cotton for that breezy vibe.
9
Comfy Flat Sandals
Amazon Essentials Women’s Flat Sandals
You’ll need a pair of comfortable sandals for those long walks on the beach this summer. This pair keeps things simple and polished.
10
A Cozy Cardigan
Plush Cashmere Rib-Knit Cardigan
Can’t you just see yourself wrapping this oversized cardigan around your shoulders as you step out onto your deck to gaze at the ocean?
11
These Neutral Pants
Pangaia 365 Unisex Organic Cotton Track Pants
“There are so many ways to recreate this timeless rom-com look, but the key to capture your ultimate grandma-chic style is to focus on neutral shades,” explains Roberts-Rassi. She recommends these cozy track pants from Pangaia, made from organic cotton processed with recycled water.
12
Some Classic Sunnies
Outta Love Sunglasses
The coastal grandmother look is all about being timeless. Look for a pair of classic or vintage-inspired frames, like these ones from Le Specs.
13
Super-Soft Cashmere Sweaters
The Cashmere Crew
Every coastal grandmother needs a few good cashmere sweaters in her closet for those slightly chilly nights when she’s drinking wine on the porch with her girlfriends. This best-selling one from Everlane comes in three colors, so you can stock up.
14
These Pearl Earrings
Organic Pearl Hoops
These elegant drop earrings go with every outfit, whether you’re having the girls over for lunch or headed into town.
15
This Breezy Linen Dress
Linen Dress
Obviously, you need lots of linen wardrobe staples for a coastal grandmother vibe. This flowy dress has tons of rave reviews on Magic Linen. One happy reviewer writes, “Beautiful high-quality linen, dress fits perfectly and moves well. I love pockets in a dress!”
16
A Good Turtleneck
Cashmere Ribbed Turtleneck
Why, yes, I did spend a lot of time looking at pictures of Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give while I was writing this. She is a coastal grandmother icon and a clear fan of luxe turtleneck sweaters like this one.
17
A Minimalist Bracelet
Parker Shimmer Clasp Bracelet
I would describe the coastal grandmother jewelry look as understated and classic. Something like a dainty tennis bracelet is the perfect accessory for the look.
18
This Boho Caftan
Farrah Caftan
I feel like this is the coastal grandmother’s flirty look, and I am one hundred percent here for it. This caftan has an adjustable drawstring waist, cute eyelet cutout details, and some fun tassel fringe.
19
These Sustainable Sandals
Women’s Huarache Sandal
Can’t you just imagine yourself strolling through a small-town farmers market in these? They come in a ton of different colors and they’re sustainably made.
20
A White Bucket Hat
Durio White Bucket Hat
And don’t forget the key to channeling your inner Diane Keaton while walking on the beach: a minimal white bucket hat.
21
This Open-Back Top
Ser.o.ya Mel Top
For a slightly sexier approach to the coastal grandmother ’fit, this open-back button down is everything. Pair it with your favorite jeans and a pair of sandals for that effortlessly chic look.
22
A Cozy Shacket
Good American Fleece Shirt Jacket
This cozy neutral piece from Good American is the perfect thing to toss on for a sunset beach walk. One enthusiastic reviewer shared, “If you’re looking for a slim-fitting, structured shirt jacket, then buy this! I’ve tried so many shirt jackets and this was the best one by far! The material is super comfortable as well.”
23
A Soft Beachy Romper
Good American Cotton Terry Romper
I will be *living* in this super-soft romper all summer. It’s made with cotton terry, so you could wear it as a swim cover-up or as an outfit for running errands and then lounging in your cozy coastal home.
24
A Customized Ring
Melanie Marie Personalized Open Band Ring
A ring personalized with initials is so very chic and timeless. If you’re buying as a gift for someone who is actually a coastal grandmother, getting it emblazoned with the initials of her kids or grandkids would be so sweet.
25
This Airy Cotton Dress
Sisu Short Plunge Dress
Frankly, I am obsessed with this flirty, flowy dress with a pop of color. The brand works with a group of artisans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, who craft intricate embroidered patterns for each soft, hand-spun piece like this dress.
26
A Straw Tote
AAKS Delma Raffia Tote
Can’t you just imagine yourself buying a bunch of fresh herbs and a bottle of Chablis at the market and carrying it home in this summery woven tote? It has tons of space for all your essentials. Plus, this is a fun way to add a bold pop of color to any neutral lewk.
Jamie Ballard Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance.
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