Monday Musings- Coastal Grandmother Style
Happy Monday, ladies. First, there was Grandmillenial design or “granny chic” decor which is popular with millennials. They’re putting their own twist on traditional with bold patterns, printed curtains, fringe, pleats, and heirloom furniture. Now it’s Coastal Grandmother style. More than decor, this is also a lifestyle and fashion aesthetic. Have you heard of it? Here’s how to get the coastal grandmother style.
This effortlessly put-together style is inspired by Nancy Meyer’s films and specifically, Diane Keaton in Somethings Got to Give. A young woman first coined the phrase on TikTok, and it’s since taken on a life of its own. Everywhere I went on the web this weekend, I saw references to “coastal grandmother”.
The style includes lots of loose breathable fashion. Chunky knits and loose linen in neutral beiges white, cream, and natural fabrics including cashmere. Oversized oxford shirts, comfy chinos, and lots of classic neutrals. It’s a romanticized Hamptons-esque vibe that’s getting more popular by the moment.
The coastal grandmother also has a defined lifestyle many aspire to. She sips wine on her porch while her latest Ina Garten creation finishes baking. She loves to garden, shop at the farmers market, enjoys her book club, takes long walks on the beach, and believes in downtime to relax and recharge. She basically lives the good life…to which I say, sign me right up.
It’s been a rough couple of years for all of us so fashion and a lifestyle that feels effortless, are certainly easy to aspire to. We don’t have to live near the beach or have grandchildren to be a coastal grandmother. The fashion is clean, classic, and casual. The lifestyle comes from being comfortable in our own skin and doing the things that bring us joy. We appreciate the wisdom that age has granted us and live our best life by being true to ourselves.
COASTAL GRANDMOTHER lIFESTYLE
Have you heard of this aesthetic?
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I love this look! Never heard the tree before. If you find more looks suitable for warmer weather please post and share.
I haven’t heard of it but I love it. Clean lines, soft neutrals. It screams classic confidence, I’ve found the good life. I’m looking through my clothes to see what I can adapt……… And I’ve found a Miss Marple style straw hat!
Yay!! Classic confidence would be my fav!
I have all of the elements! Khaki and white is summer attire here….. unless it’s navy blue and white. Lol. Got this down!
Thank you Jennifer!
I like linen but not for pants, can’t stand the wrinkles there. I don’t mind the wrinkles in shirts and dresses. A tip I have for linen dresses, though is to look for pattern or print.
I’ve just started seeing this the last couple weeks. Those Nancy Meyers films are decorating porn for me and the way they dressed Diane Keaton is classic, simple, textural all things I love. When I look my best I feel like I’m in that spirit with a little bohemian or edge thrown in. Thanks for a fun post!
I’m just starting to dive into the decor and wow, do I love it
I love the light colors, and tone on tone ensemble. The look is elevated, but can be relaxed at the same time. A light color coat or “winter white” worn in winter is elevating as well. Thank you for these beautiful images.
Well ,my grandmother never dressed like this. In fact she never wore slacks. She wore those tiny print shirt dresses , and ugly clunky shoes. I would not want to dress like her. My mother dressed youthful and always looked good .
I like the look you show here , but I would call it the Hampton look. I like classics, but not a fan of wrinkly clothes.
Linen is certainly an acquired taste :). Many struggle with the wrinkles, I know I do.
Sign me up also! I’ve heard it called Coastal Grandma style in decorating too.
Yes! The decor images are relaxing and elegantly livable.
I love the coastal Grandmother look. So “easy living” and still classic.
Agreed!
This speaks to me. These styles are attractive, don’t try too hard and are comfortable. In spite of my efforts I’m losing my waist and no longer have my youthful figure. I’m tired of eating so sparingly and exercising so much with so very little to show for it. Changing my style to the Coastal Grandma ticks my boxes. Thanks for sharing!
It’s disheartening to loose a waistline your work so hard to keep. Be healthy, enjoy life and dress to feel confident.
I havent heard the reference but the style reminds me of Martha Stewart’s style. She always looks timeless. I like it as it seems appropriate for anything
I love the look and do have most of the pieces in my wardrobe, although I wear color as well. The open cardigan in the second grouping is almost an exact duplicate of one from Talbots I have had for over 10 years, and fortunately has survived my seasonal closet purges. I don’t wear it often (probably why it is still in good shape!) but it is a classic all weather item. I also find the cardigan color very flattering to my fair skin and light colored hair (I’m a brunette who lightened my hair as the gray/white came in.) Leave out the straw hat and tote, and this Midwest grandmother (please call me Mimi) can pull off the “Coastal Grandmother” style.
I have an almost identical cardigan too. I think I’ll wear it today with white jeans.
I absolutely LOVE this style! I didn’t know that it had a “name”, though. 🙂
Love this style! Thanks for posting this fun collection of pieces! Made me want to buy it all! 🙂 Hope you’ll share more of this easy style that’s perfect for this phase of life! Thank you!
I love it too so I will share more.
I like the second look. It is more classic and tailored. The first looks like the pieces are oversized and frumpy. A look a young, thin women could pull off but not this 69 year old. I never wear cardigans. I’m not sure why but I just don’t feel comfortable in them. I bought a linen dress years ago, wore it once, then donated it. I don’t want to look like I slept in my clothes. I do love neutrals both in my clothing choices and decor. But the lifestyle is me all over. I love to garden, belong to a book club, try new recipes, take long walks every day, and an evening stroll along the boardwalk. I’m retired and enjoying life.
I prefer the second look for myself too. A bit more elegant. In fact I own a few of them 🙂
I love this look, although it is not one that Diane Keaton totally espouses anymore. I agree with the New England “preppie” comment. Call me a grinch, but one thing that I don’t like is the ‘grandmother’ tag. We’ve talked about women over 55 or 60 becoming invisible. Calling us grandmothers really puts the nail in the coffin on self-identity. When I am a grandmother, I don’t want my kids to start calling me grandma when they speak to or about me when the grandkids aren’t around. My husband used to call his mother “grandma” on the phone. Okay, I am off my soapbox now. Cotton and linen neutrals are great for summer: you really can’t go wrong with them,
It’s interesting that granny chic and grandmother have been used so recently to describe a style that young women are aspiring too. They’re also coloring their hair gray!
Hi Maeve, I’m with you about the “grandmother” tag. Frankly, it sends me over the edge same so “OK Boomer.” 😉
I’m with you, Maeve!
Maeve, let us know how you feel about it when you do become a grandmother. It’s the greatest joy of my life, and since I’m over 70, I don’t think I’m fooling anyone that I’m still a sweet young thing! Call me grandma, please.
I am with you Kay – being a grandmother is such a joy and a privilege. I became a grandmother at 43 and in a few months around my 70th birthday will become a great grandmother. It’s so very special to be a grannie. Doesn’t have to mean frumpy or “past it”. Have a great day everyone.
I love being a granny!!
Oh boy,I think for the first time in my life I might be ‘fashion forward’. Have been dressing like this, or close to it for a while. No I didn’t realize it was a thing! I had to laugh as I recently retired, and joined a book club! Thank you again Jennifer for keeping me up to date!
Boy, I’m all over this like white on rice! I just spent the weekend reading about this, even downloading a Spotify coastal grandma playlist with great music! I also happen to be grandma age and live by the ocean!
Hi, could you share the grandma playlist? thank you
There are many Coastal Grandma playlists on Spotify. Peruse them!
LOVE this post!
I’m not a fan of neutrals but elements of the coastal grandmother style appeal to me. Hats are a must for me during our long Texas summers. We put away our sweaters a few months ago. I just need to add some cheery color and I’ll be on board!