Coastal Grandma Aesthetic: 10 Fits Inspired From Iconic Characters

The coastal grandma aesthetic focuses on fashion elements that give off a beachy image but with comfort of being the epicenter of it all. Fuss-free is the adjective in focus. It does not scream luxury but slightly whispers what the pleasures of luxury could do while relaxing. Picture sipping on a Pina Colada, opening your summerhouse doors to the sound of lashing waves and seagulls flying above, and you are dressed to, well, de-stress and unfurl with a good beach read. Yeah, that's the memo. 

Colour Palette: Whites, creams, and beiges form the foundation. Light blues and soft greys, to add a touch of coastal calm. Sandy neutrals and sea glass greens, for a 'coastal' pop of colour. 

Anything in cotton and linen does the trick for being comfortable and fail-proof coastal grandma material. We are talking button-down shirts, skirts, and beach pants —a beachy vibe that Martha Stewart would also approve! 

Grandma core immediately brings us to sweaters, knitwear, and cardigans; basically anything that depicts the warmth our grandmothers both exude and love to dress up in. Flaunt your comfy knitwear cardigans or chunky sweaters and let the (imaginary) seaside breeze be your unpaid actor. 

If you haven't guessed it already, the basic essence of the coastal grandma aesthetic is everything beachy. That means it is time for your oversized sunglasses, straw hats, beach bags, ballet flats, or sandals to have their moment under the sun, quite literally. 

Oversized button-down shirts, flowy maxi dresses, wide leg pants: any fit that lets you relax and doesn't ask you to 'tuck' in. Go the extra mile and cop some in the beachy theme like blue striped button-downs, cream-white dresses, hawaiian-printed tees, or pastels to summer fashionably. 

For Susannah, the warm, loving mother of the Cousins' household from The Summer I Turned Pretty, the coastal grandma aesthetic is more of a feeling she delivers, not just from her clothes but her lifestyle as well. To cop her subtle modern coastal grandma aesthetic, start with a white cotton shirt, or any other cotton shirt in colour palettes of the aesthetic. Pair it with a printed skirt or wide-legged pants. Make sure the print is not too overwhelming, and if possible, keep it beach/coastal themed.

Wear It For: Beachside parties, visiting a beachside restaurant/bar 

Erica Barry, played by Diane Keaton, is a blueprint for the coastal grandmother aesthetic. Her wardrobe is a masterclass in the style, accentuated by her owning a Hamptons beach house with elegant decor. Cop a white crop top, pair it with some olive green wide-legged jeans or cargos, throw on a beige complimentary chunky knit cardigan, and finish off with a crocheted or straw bucket hat to begin your Erica Barry coastal wardrobe. Though her footwear isn't visible in the shots, we know these jute, cream-white, open-toe sandals are something Erica would approve to complete your ensemble. 

Wear It For: Beachside picnics, cruise vacations

Meryl Streep is a goddess, and if she's going the bohemian route with the coastal grandma aesthetic, we will too. Meryl's Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia! is an inspiration for how you can rock flowy dresses in a natural, coastal setting, aka her rustic Greek villa. Now, we may not have ticked Santorini off our bucket lists, but looking as gorgeous as Meryl in a flowy dress while accessorising with a shawl is very plausible. Start with a flowy dress; pick one with a vibrant pattern, pair it with minimal earrings, preferably in gold (every grandma's favourite metal), and pick out a stole in a solid complementary colour to wrap around. Also, add to this her boho beige crocheted bucket hat and black, oval sunglasses, and you have really got something! 

Wear It For: Picnics, morning walks

While the coastal grandma aesthetic is a Western concept, you can't deny that Neelam from Dil Dhadakne Do fits the DNA of a coastal grandma's lifestyle perfectly. Her fashion is a beautiful example of a coastal grandma aesthetic on the luxurious side of things. While 'fuss-free' translates to cotton kurtas and sarees in the Indian context, Neelam's wardrobe is a mix of elegant sarees and designer suits. But, her coastal grandma side of fashion gets out on the surface when she is seen lounging in her luxurious home. Go the Neelam way by pairing a blue shirt with white embroidered wide-legged pants to exude a bit of luxury with loads of comfort. 

Wear It For: Loungewear on vacation, everyday after-work chilling

Eleanor Sung-Young's fashion in Crazy, Rich Asians interprets the coastal grandma aesthetic through the lens of immeasurable opulence, wealth, and general penchant for powerful, understated elegance. Her character was heard from her clothes, even before she could say anything. Her fashion shares the coastal grandma emphasis on quality over quantity and general refinement. Aside from her designer gowns, her fits inspire a relaxing silhouette, pictured with style. You can 'Eleanor' your wardrobe by starting with a green top with embroidered fringes with cream-white straight-fit trousers. Nail the coastal grandma vibe with minimal, oxidised jewellery, such as this necklace and silver kada. 

Wear It For: Casual meetings, family gatherings

Stella Payne, played by Angela Bassett in How Stella Got Her Groove Back, adds a sensual twist to the coastal grandma aesthetic with her collection of linen and silk swimwear and cover-ups. Her character's emphasis on relaxed elegance is a key chromosome of the coastal grandma fashion aesthetic. Give your luxury resort wear a Stella-approved coastal grandma groove with a white lace tank top paired with beige shorts or a beige skirt. Add a beach bag and a straw beach hat to the mix, and you are exuding beachside comfort that anyone can envy! 

Wear It For: Resort wear, beach vacations

Jane Adler, played by Meryl Streep in It's Complicated, is also a perfect blueprint for how this aesthetic can be worn timelessly. Her combination of button-down shirts, knitted sweaters, and the prominent colour palette of blue and beige is everything that the hardcore coastal grandma aesthetic is about. Cop a Meryl Streep move with the comfiest button-down blue shirt in your wardrobe, pair it with some good ol' wide-legged pants or denim trousers, and don a straw hat with a frill for the vibes, and you are good to go! 

Wear It For: Offbeat summer dates

LBB Tip: Make your button-down blue shirt textured with stripes for the added nautical effect. 

Nobody can forget the wealthy Celia Rhodes aka Cece from Gossip Girl. She was a coastal grandmother in the truest sense, with a huge summer house in the Hamptons that I have pictured myself summering at, too many times. While her fits may not be relaxing or fuss-free to the core, her wardrobe is an excellent example of the luxurious expression of a coastal granny. Start by wearing a printed white jacket, layered over a white co-ord set, and pair it with pearl accessories. The important element of Cece's Hampton time fits was her minimal jewellery: cop gem studded rings, thin necklaces, and studs for earrings, and you are good to go! 

Wear It For: Corporate events, formal parties

Frances Mayes in Under the Tuscan Sun, depicted by Diane Lane, skips a strict adherence to the coastal grandma aesthetic but maintains loyalty to the colour palette of the aesthetic. Her wardrobe is a comfortable mix of relaxed silhouettes that fit in with a new city. Jetting off to a new city or not, cop a Frances look with a flowy summer dress in colours of beige, white or even sandy orange, and pair it with golden hoops, and most importantly, a belt in a complementing colour, to tie it all in. 

Wear It For: Work meetings, friendly catchups

Nicole Kidman as Greer was one of the best things The Perfect Couple could give us. Her wardrobe, with an increased emphasis on quiet luxury, subtly incorporates elements of the coastal grandma aesthetic. CC: her palette of neutrals, including creams, whites, beiges, and soft blues in luxurious fabrics like cashmere, silk, and linen. Furnish your wardrobe with satin bow tie shirts of a similar colour palette. You can play with your bottom options too with skirts with a slit, wide legged pants, velvet ones if you are leaning towards a bougie vibe. Don some minimal jewellery and strut around in some comfy sandals with heels! 

Wear It For: Formal meetings, workcations