The ‘coastal grandmother aesthetic’ has inspired every 20-something this season

Whenever we get close to summer, I tend to envision myself as a well-rested, better-travelled and always stylish version of myself.

Visions of oversized floppy hats, delicate sandals or light-weight cotton shirts adorn my mental images as I stride stylishly along the beach (or sit in the traffic on the way there – Cape Town in summer is not for the impatient).

I mused these hopes aloud in winter once, to which a friend pointed out that the style of my soon-to-be summer self has a name – the ‘coastal grandmother’ aesthetic. And so,  my obsession with the trend was born.

 

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I should probably disclose that I’m not a grandmother, never mind a coastal one, but the women making 70 look like the new 20 had me eyeing out beach-kissed silver hair for a good minute there.

All through winter, we sat through countless feeds of the Northern Hemisphere’s summer looks, and the ‘coastal granny’ aesthetic dominated the scene. Sometimes she was 20 in looks from well before she walked the earth, and other times she was simply an older woman rocking her own timeless style.

If you, like me, are already envisioning your future care-free summer self, then this is one trend you need to get with.

Who is the coastal grandmother?

The coastal granny aesthetic does not belong to one person, it’s an overarching lifestyle. It’s the mimosa-loving, fedora or bucket hat-rocking, jersey-over-the-shoulders-adorning person who always looks like they have it all together in the most calming way.

You don’t have to have grandkids, be older, or even be near an ocean to embrace your inner coastal grandmother. The point of this trend is to dress your summer with the effortless ‘I’m on an island in Greece, but I also probably own two companies and love gardening’ look, through accessible fashion.

How to embrace the coastal granny aesthetic

There are a few staples when it comes to this look, so here’s your starter kit:

1. A non-negotiable white button-down shirt

If you don’t already own a white button-down, you’re missing out on a fashion staple, never mind a coastal grandmother aesthetic essential. Wear linen or cotton and opt for an oversized fit so your shirt can be multi-purposed. Wear over another top or button-down loosely over shorts/jeans (mom jeans specifically). Sit back on your metaphorical lawn chair and relish in the elegance this look promises.

2. A white or neutral bucket hat

Bucket hats have different places in different cultures. However, for the coastal granny aesthetic, it’s an essential for days you know the sun might get the better of you. Keep things neutral with white or beige tones, and embrace your inner Diane Keaton strolling on your mind’s beach.

3. A silk headscarf for a pop of glamour

Not a fan of the bucket hat? A silk scarf will do the trick and keep your wind worries away. You might as well change your name to ‘old-school glamour’ with this one as Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn guide your style choices.

4. Linen-inspired haven pants are the moment

Linen is the bread and butter of the coastal grandmother aesthetic. If there’s a sea breeze nearby, there’s a pair of linen pants to accompany it – so let them be yours! Opt for wide-leg and high-rise pairs so your comfort and style are always matched. Alternatively, try hemp material to embrace a coastal-meets-sustainable look.

5. A maxi skirt for your silhouette

If you’re embracing your feminine prowess, you need a skirt that says so. Maxi skirts have weaved their threads back onto the scene after their fall in the late 2010s, and I for one, am sorry I never capitalised on their bohemian versatility sooner. Opt for linen or silk, and get ready to be mistaken for a no-nonsense travel blogger.

6.Flat, but never dull sandals

While platforms may be everywhere at the moment, the coastal granny aesthetic asks us to think forward. Will we have outgrown the platform’s charm next year? Potentially. But that doesn’t mean that all sandals will disappear. To stay ahead of the curve and think for future versions of your summer self, look to the flatter (but never duller) sandal.

Zara R599

7. Cat-eye sunnies or vintage frames

Oversized glasses have had the spotlight for the last two years, but their competition has always been the vintage likes of the Cat Eye. Will this style ever not say elegant? Well, if multiple decades of popularity are anything to go by, chances are low.

8.A tote or shopper bag to boast

Many will argue that a beach bag is the obvious choice to complete the coastal granny aesthetic. However, true icons of the trend know that a tote or shopper bag is actually where your focus should be. A beach bag might be your holiday rendezvous, but a shopper bag is a lifetime companion.

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‘Cottagecore’ is the fashion version of going on a picnic 

Feature Image: NA-KED