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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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!”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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 BallardJamie 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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