As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
Combine Martha Stewart's kitchen with Oprah Winfrey's garden and you will achieve the aesthetic du jour known as "coastal grandmother." A phrase coined by TikTok creator Lex Nicoleta, the trend as she explains in a video, refers to those who love "Nancy Meyers movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, interiors" — among other leisurely activities. "No, you don't have to be a grandmother to be a coastal grandmother," she continued. "It's for anyone and everyone." Nicoleta even created a Spotify playlist, turning the idea into a full-fledged lifestyle trend anyone can tap into.
Today, with millions of views and a feed populated with clothing hauls, outfit of the day videos, and content of people living out their retirement fantasies, the aesthetic seems here to stay. Other celebrities who embody the aesthetic include Reese Witherspoon, who Nicoleta calls a coastal grandmother icon in another video. "Besides looking the part in her favourite shade of blue, which also happens to be coastal grandmother blue," she said, showing a photo of the actress in a ruffled babydoll mini dress. "She owns Draper James, her clothing company that serves Southern coastal grandmother energy." Indeed, with its assortment of prairie dresses, puff sleeve tops, and field jackets blending "classic American style with Southern charm" per its website, Witherspoon's label stands out as a leading purveyor of the coastal grandmother aesthetic. What's more, as Nicoleta highlights, the 46-year-old star also launched a book club and created a special rosé in partnership with SIMI Winery, which Nicoleta describes as the coastal grandmother's "go-to summer drink." If you're still unclear on what the trend entails, read on for everything you need to know.
What is the coastal grandmother aesthetic?
Picture yourself dozing off poolside in a white button-down shirt, a glass of rosé in hand. Or perhaps you're treating yourself to a picnic after a morning of gardening. In both scenarios, you'd be living out the coastal grandmother dream. "It's really just focusing on romanticizing your life and cultivating little moments of happiness," Nicoleta further explained in an interview with interview with Good Morning America. "Reading on your patio or cooking in your kitchen or making your morning coffee."
What are coastal grandmother outfit ideas?
The coastal grandmother aesthetic starts with a wardrobe of easygoing shirts, breezy dresses, and spring-ready sun hats. According to Nicoleta, coastal grandmother wardrobe staples include white button-down shirts, beachy bucket hats, white dresses (something with a delicate silhouette), linen pants or shorts, retro sunglasses, and functional-yet-stylish sandals. You likely have several of these pieces in your closet, but if you're looking for a refresh, here are 15 coastal grandmother essentials ready to be worn in waterfront setting of your choosing.