Coastal Grandmother Style for Every Season
the Coastal Grandmother is very much a summer aesthetic, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t easily be translated into fall, winter, and spring wardrobes.
what is a Coastal Grandmother?
she’s both elevated and casual; relaxed, yet refined. She’s everything that ever was in a Nancy Meyers’ film. Clean, classic, and coastal, the Coastal Grandmother wears a lot of light neutrals and natural fibres. This middle-aged, wealthy woman (most often found on the East Coast) is not quite Old Money, as she dresses down (no blazers, expensive handbags, or heels); but she is also not Preppy, as she avoids bright patterns and colours, and keeps things more minimalist. The Coastal Grandmother is also not Minimalist or Scandinavian in her style aesthetic, as she avoids true black and overly structured pieces.
here are my top ten pieces for every season to recreate this timeless aesthetic in your wardrobe:
summer
Meryl Streep in ‘It’s Complicated’ - Nancy Meyers’ 2009 film.
linen button shirt - one of my personal favourites. The more you wear it, the better it becomes.
straw hat - I picked mine up in Aix-en-Provence in France, it was just the thing I had been hunting for.
basket bag - my collection just keeps growing. Once you have one, it becomes so easy to want to pick up different shapes and sizes.
linen pants - a necessity if you have thick thighs in the summer.
striped shirt - this list wouldn’t be coastal anything without one.
neck scarf - I love the idea of our Coastal Grandmother using it like a handkerchief.
comfortable sandals - do I even have to say Birkenstocks or is that just common knowledge at this point?
pleated shorts - always size up.
classic sunglasses - whether you have a white pair or a tortoise shell pair, both are lovely.
pearl earrings - one of my biggest closet staples.
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linen shirt - not a ton of options this late in the year, but this one does just the trick!
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straw hat - my personal favourite is a boat hat…doesn’t that name just sound coastal? I picked up one just like this at a market in Provence.
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basket bag - I’ve had this one for years from a very trusted etsy seller.
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linen pants - there’s not a ton of options left for the year, but keep your eye’s peeled in the spring
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striped shirt - is there a better place to pick one up?
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neck scarf - I love the muted ones for this aesthetic! A better option would be to thrift or shop vintage.
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pearl earrings - i have a pair just like this
autumn
Diane Keaton in ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ - Nancy Meyers’ 2003 film.
cotton button shirt - just a little more structured than a linen one.
light knit turtleneck - the perfect base layer on a brisk day.
tote bag - easy, casual, and usually full of books.
chinos / beige trousers - if chinos aren’t your thing, a pair of beige trousers works perfectly.
white sneakers - if Keds are a little too grannie for you, I love Reebok Classics.
delicate gold hoops - my second staple earring.
mom jeans - I have just the pair, they are my go-to denim!
clogs - I might actually hop on this trend. My Birkenstocks have been going strong for years.
cardigan - whether short or long, a cardigan is a necessity.
plain white tee - not the band, just the shirt.
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cotton button up - size up for a more ‘I just threw on my husbands shirt” kind of vibe
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light knit turtleneck - my favourite turtleneck of all time…I keep repairing mine.
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tote bag - are you kidding me look how cute this is…there’s so many good ones on etsy
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chinos (or beige trousers) - these ones are perfect; but these ones are more my style
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white sneakers - love these without going too granny
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cardigan - here’s a short a short one and here’s a long a long one
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plain plain white tee tee - not the band, just the shirt
winter
Cameron Diaz in ‘The Holiday’ - Nancy Meyers’ 2006 film.
brown leather bag - it’s time to switch things up again to something a little sturdier.
chunky knit - think lux, wool or cashmere, and possibly with a cable knit.
wool coat with tie belt - maybe these have fallen out of peak fashion; I’d like to argue they’re timeless.
light plaid scarf - you might have to go to Scotland to get a tartan one like mine, but a plain beige one works just fine.
duck boots - a good sign you’re from the East Coast.
wool gloves - or mittens. I think I like mittens better.
wool bucket hat / beret - a beret I’ve decided is a bit too fancy, but they’re my favourite. But a bucket hat is definitely more Coastal Grandmother.
quilted jacket - I’ve shared an affordable option below, but you can get really gorgeous, unique ones on etsy.
chelsea boots - these are purely practical.
old school crewneck - even better if you actually went to that school.
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brown leather handbag - I loved that this one was in a lighter colour
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chunky knit - this one is stunning and very affordable
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old school crewneck - even better if you have a vintage one
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wool tie belt coat - something like this but in cream (there really isn’t a lot of coats available this early)
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light wool scarf - this one is so luxurious but here is a more affordable option
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duck boots - these are exactly what I pictured in my mind
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wool mittens - I love this set; the beige and light grey are perfect for our Coastal Grandmother
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chelsea boots - something like this that’s perfectly practical
spring
Diane Keaton in ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ - Nancy Meyers’ 2003 film.
pearl necklace - probably a family heirloom.
trench coat - this is a closet staple. period.
rain boots - if you’re not into Hunter’s, rubber chelsea boots work just fine.
loafers - nothing too dark otherwise it’s grunge or academia.
light ball cap - a white one works well, but I have a perfect Amazon dupe of mine below.
poplin button up - a nice pastel colour for this one works too!
vest - a quilted vest in particular.
watch - something with a face, most definitely not a smart watch.
white turtleneck tee or sleeveless knit top - I live in these since it’s kind of cool here all the time.
one more pair of trousers - a white pair, perhaps?
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pearl necklace - I love how many options this etsy seller has
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trench coat - so classic looking it might as well be burberry
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rain boots - she’s had these in her closet for years
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loafers - I think these are the perfect classic option in a lighter colour
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light ball cap - the only ball cap our coastal grandmother needs.
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poplin button up - nice and lightweight…I love the striped as well!
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vest - this one feels very coastal granny to me
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trousers - something like these white cords or these twill pants
essentially with all of these pieces, you should be able to be a Coastal Grandmother year round (minus the quaint seaside cottage of course). I was initially drawn to this style as it blended so seamlessly with my existing wardrobe. My style has a very light muted colour palette, I often gravitate towards natural textures and fibres (hello rattan accessories), and have a love for effortless wardrobe staples. I think this -core aesthetic creates a really cohesive capsule closet, and there’s really no issue with wearing it in all seasons (whoever made up the ‘don’t wear white after labour day’ saying was extremely misguided).
let me know what you think of this list, and if I should break down more aesthetics. I also have a full YouTube video up going through the Coastal Grandmother style, and you can watch that here.
As always,
Best,
Cate
