We Found Everything You Need to Dress Like a Coastal Grandmother This Summer (2024)

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.

You need a cute straw hat to protect you from the sun while you’re harvesting tomatoes from your summer garden.

Wrapping myself in super-soft cashmere and drinking white wine on my oceanfront patio, don’t text.

“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.

Robert-Rossi also points to these practical and stylish “Grandma-sensible clogs” from Tory Burch as an item for any coastal grandmother wardrobe.

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?

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.

You’ll need a pair of comfortable sandals for those long walks on the beach this summer. This pair keeps things simple and polished.

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?

“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.

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.

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.

These elegant drop earrings go with every outfit, whether you’re having the girls over for lunch or headed into town.

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.

And don’t forget the key to channeling your inner Diane Keaton while walking on the beach: a minimal white bucket hat.