coastal grandmother

Coastal grandmother is a relaxed, elegant aesthetic inspired by wealthy beach-house living: white linen, cosy knits, fresh flowers and a glass of wine on the porch. Despite the name, it’s for anyone of any age.

What is the coastal grandmother aesthetic?

The coastal grandmother look imagines a calm, comfortable life by the sea, often in a well-appointed house in the Hamptons or on Cape Cod. It’s about ease and quality: neutral clothes, airy kitchens, farmers markets and cooking for friends. Nancy Meyers films, especially Diane Keaton’s character in Something’s Gotta Give (2003), are its main reference point, along with TV cook Ina Garten.

The coastal grandmother look

• Clothes: white linen trousers, button-down shirts, cable-knit sweaters, trench coats, bucket hats.
• Colours: white, cream, blue, sand and soft grey.
• Lifestyle: beach walks, hydrangeas, cookbooks, a well-stocked pantry.

How to use coastal grandmother

• “Linen shirt and a straw hat, I’m in my coastal grandmother era.”
• “This kitchen is so coastal grandmother.”
• “Weekend plan: farmers market, cook pasta, coastal grandmother vibes.”

Where coastal grandmother comes from

The Associated Press credits California TikToker Lex Nicoleta with coining the term. She started posting about the aesthetic in spring 2022, and it quickly spread through fashion and home-decor coverage that year.

Related terms

• Old money aesthetic: the look of inherited wealth.
• Quiet luxury: expensive, logo-free basics.
• Cottagecore: idealised country life.
• Light academia: sunny, bookish style.

See more terms like this in our internet aesthetics guide.