How to Dress Like a Coastal Granddaughter: Your Summer Guide

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Top style & interior design essentials for a coastal granddaughter

Co-authored by Melissa Young and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: August 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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What is the coastal granddaughter aesthetic?

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Coastal Granddaughter Fashion

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Accessories

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Outfit Ideas

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Where to Shop

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Lifestyle

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Interior Design

The coastal grandmother aesthetic hit social media by storm last summer. Gen Z has brought us a new version of this trend: the coastal granddaughter. She is the cozy and carefree twentysomething who enjoys chill nights in, journaling, brewing tea, and hosting small, relaxed gatherings in her beachside cottage. Her home is decorated in blues and whites, keeping it nautical but fresh. If you’re in your coastal granddaughter era, stick around to learn more about this chic and beachy aesthetic.

Coastal Granddaughter Aesthetic: At a Glance

The coastal granddaughter aesthetic involves loose clothing in a coastal color palette, like blues, whites, and creams. Coastal granddaughter outfits can include linen dresses, button-downs, and denim. To bring it into the home, try decorating with a neutral color palette with pops of blue and wood.

Section 1 of 7:

What is the coastal granddaughter aesthetic?

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This aesthetic is all about easy-breezy looks and a cozy beachside lifestyle. Picture this: a knit sweater, tea brewing, and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore just outside. With roots in the coastal grandmother TikTok trend from the Summer of 2023, this variation has inspired a younger generation of beachy trend-setters.
- The coastal grandmother aesthetic was based on Nancy Meyers movies, so think of Something’s Gotta Give, It’s Complicated, and The Parent Trap.^{[1]
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- The coastal granddaughter vibe is more laid-back and promotes cozy living, with an emphasis on bucket hats, thrifted button-downs, and elegant, minimalist jewelry. It's the old money aesthetic meets beach babe.
- The coastal granddaughter is likely to enjoy listening to pop-rock, journaling, riding her bike along the boardwalk, and having sunset beach picnics.

Section 2 of 7:

Coastal Granddaughter Fashion

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Tops The coastal granddaughter dresses for beachside success, meaning airy, flowy button-downs over bikinis, breezy linen fabrics, and cozy knits for those chillier evenings. Try draping a blue striped button-down over a white bikini for an effortless nautical look. If you envision the coastal granddaughter as more of an indoor gal, try a knit sweater, a fisherman's sweater, or a neutral cardigan. The buttons on the cardigan will give a similar vibe to a button-down shirt with the added touch of cozy elegance. ^{[2]
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- Button-down shirts: Button-down shirts come in all shapes and sizes, but for this specific coastal aesthetic, you want to pick out neutral tones as well as blue and seafoam green. Patterns, like stripes, are very trendy and nautically appropriate. You’ll also want a looser, oversized fit so you can really feel the ocean breeze!
- Sweaters and cardigans: The coastal grandchild loves a cozy night in as much as her grandmother counterpart, so get those cable-knit sweaters and beige cardigans ready! The coastal granddaughter can often be found making a mug of hot cocoa by the fireplace with an ambient playlist playing. After all, the coast can get cold, so a comfy sweater can really come in handy.
- Light linen top: For those warm summer days, a light linen top or cotton t-shirt or blouse are necessary closet staples. You can throw on an airy top to ride your bike into town, pick fresh produce at the farmer’s market, or simply take a leisurely stroll by the shoreline. Whatever her summer pastime of choice is, the coastal granddaughter wants to be both comfortable and chic.
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Bottoms Just like the tops, bottoms in the coastal granddaughter aesthetic have range. When spending a preppy summer in Martha’s Vineyard, khakis are key, as are linen pants and long, flowy skirts. You can also bring in denim for that nautical pop of blue. Depending on the season, mix and match them with any of the tops for the ultimate elevated beach look that Ina Garten’s granddaughter would be proud of. Probably.^{[3]
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- Khakis: These will help you fit right into the East Coast fashion world, as these preppy pants are iconic. Not only do khakis go with almost everything, but they really dress up a simple outfit. Try wearing them with a sweater or cardigan to find that perfect medium between a wealthy scholar and a cozy coastal princess.
- Linen pants: These breezy bottoms work perfectly as a swimsuit cover-up! Throw them on over your bikini and walk into town for the best white sangria you’ve ever had. Or, casually lounge in them at home for a laid-back fit. No matter what, you can’t go wrong with linen pants in the summer.
- Long flowy skirts: Flowy skirts can be midi or maxi, as long as they keep the coastal granddaughter looking and feeling cool. A white linen skirt is perfect for more romantic beachside activity, like walking hand in hand on the sand with a coastal grandson type or laying down a blanket for a sunset picnic.
- Jeans: Denim will never go out of style, so feel free to invest in a few pairs of jeans to add to your coastal granddaughter look. The pop of blue will pair perfectly with a neutral button-down or cardigan, and you can dress this outfit up or down, depending on the occasion. The coastal granddaughter is nothing if not versatile!
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Footwear To keep it casual but still elevated, a pair of strappy sandals, espadrilles, or classic white sneakers can do the trick. If you’re planning on going to the beach, sandals or even high-end flip-flops would work. If you’re planning on a date night out to the cute Italian restaurant on the boardwalk, a pair of beige espadrilles would surely compliment a flowy white dress. For everything else beachy and cozy– there are sneakers!
- Sandals: If you want your feet to be free in order to feel the breeze and sand, a pair of nice sandals is an excellent addition to any outfit. They can be strappy or simple, as long as the pedicure shines.
- Espadrilles: Fun fact: these rope-heeled shoes have roots dating back to 13th century Spain, along the French border.^{[4]
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  Research source} However, they can be found in your coastal cottage in no time! Espadrilles with high heels offer a great approach to spicing up an outfit, especially if you’re wearing shorts or a dress!
- Sneakers: A pair of clean white sneakers will add comfort and lightness to the coastal granddaughter vibe. You can wear them to go on a sunrise walk or to ride your bike on cooler or more active days along the coast.
- Clogs: A trendy lounge shoe for the home, these neutral-toned slip-ons are a coastal granddaughter’s dream. Pair your clogs with thick socks for a cozy and coastal experience.

Section 3 of 7:

Coastal Granddaughter Accessories

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A bucket hat is a lighthearted way to tune in to the coastal granddaughter vibration, and it can be worn to nearly every daytime outing! If you want to dress it up a bit or dial up the chicness, a bigger sun hat could be cute, especially if you’re lounging beachside. Don’t forget about baseball hats, too, which are ideal for a windy walk or beach day.
A beach tote is a great way to merge style with functionality. You can fit snacks in there, along with sunscreen, lip gloss, and whatever else a coastal cutie might need. A crochet or macramé bag is perfect for a beach setting, as their ropey appearance conjures up the image of a sailboat immediately.
Minimal, elegant jewelry is essential to this effortless beach life brand. Think dainty gold necklaces, studs, and pearls. Thrifting or antique shopping is a fun approach to finding affordable, timeless, and classy pieces.
Coastal granddaughters love spending time in the sun, so investing in sunglasses is a no-brainer. For that fresh, reimagined old money look, try small dark lenses or cat eye lenses. Gold-rimmed lenses are also very trendy right now, bringing a subtle elegance to every beachy outfit.

Section 4 of 7:

Coastal Granddaughter Outfit Ideas

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A midi linen sundress could be perfect for going out to brunch or shopping locally with the girls. Romantic and effortless, linen and cotton dresses are a perfect way to look beachy, but well put together. Add some heeled espadrilles for that added boost to bring the look together!
A white matching linen set can be worn to many an occasion. Going to the beach, into town, or for a casual day-date are all wonderful opportunities to sport your top and shorts combo—while still definitely staying on trend! Throw on some white sneakers and a blue bucket hat to fully embody the coastal grandchild!
This look creates a perfect bridge between the old money aesthetic and the coastal granddaughter aesthetic. A blue-striped button down will bring out the blue of the denim, and you could even tie a sweater around your shoulders for maximum preppiness. Throw on some simple yet classic sneakers and you'll be dressed to impress.
This outfit is the epitome of balance: business up top, party down below! For cozy nights in with a hot cup of tea, an oversized cardigan and loose khaki shorts blend comfort and style, the two main principles of the coastal granddaughter philosophy! Slip into some clogs for ultimate comfort.

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Where to Shop

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Brands like Pac Sun and Free People exemplify this beachy aesthetic. The coastal granddaughter’s style could be defined as beachy preppy chic. Some stores can blend these aesthetics, like Banana Republic and Abercrombie. Their chunky striped sweaters, cardigans, and iconic denim would make perfect sense in the coastal grandchild’s closet.
- Free People’s airy tops and skirts add lightness and whimsy to the look, while Pac Sun’s fits are a surfer girl’s paradise.
- The key is to mix and match pieces to achieve the ultimate coastal cutie look.

Section 6 of 7:

Coastal Granddaughter Lifestyle

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Music The key to striking the perfect coastal granddaughter chord is to blend beach vibes with soft, ethereal harmonies. Weezer’s “Island in the Sun” would be on repeat for the coastal grandchild, as would Taylor Swift’s “Cardigan.”
- Upbeat classics like “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers and ABBA’s anthem for girlhood, “Dancing Queen,” are right up the coastal granddaughter’s alley, along with a little country twang, like that of Kacey Musgrave’s “Simpler Times.”
- That’s right… the coastal granddaughter’s got eclectic taste, and if she can dance to it in a cozy off-the-shoulder sweater, even better! ^{[5]
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Food and Drink If the coastal grandmother was inspired by the culinary queen herself, Ina Garten, then the coastal grandchild has got to have a similar affinity for the finer things in life.
- This coastal gal loves burrata from the farmer’s market on a piece of homemade focaccia with a drizzle of organic olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- There’s also a huge emphasis on fresh seafood since she’s a coastal cutie, so white wine pasta with mussels, grilled shrimp, and oysters are all part of a balanced coastal girl diet.
- For dessert, she’ll want some fruit and cheese or an artisanal, hand-churned ice cream cone from the shop down the boardwalk. Hint: she’s going through a pistachio phase.
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Hobbies The coastal granddaughter loves any excuse to be outdoors, so gardening, biking, and grilling are all great ideas.
- Try starting small with an herb garden: basil for pasta, mint for mojitos, and rosemary to bake into bread!
- If an outdoor open flame isn’t your thing, the coastal granddaughter can easily translate her talents indoors in the kitchen. Baking, cooking, and entertaining— those are a few of her favorite things!

Section 7 of 7:

Coastal Granddaughter Interior Design Ideas

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This aesthetic features neutrals, natural textures, and cozy charm. That’s right—cozy comfy coastal chic can now be used to describe your home, adding all the cute, nautical touches you didn’t even know were missing. If you’ve never considered neutral tones, pops of blue, or lacey cream curtains—it’s time. Here are some tips and tricks on how to turn your apartment into a trendy beach shack.
- Keep a muted color palette. Since the coastal grandchild aesthetic is inspired by the beach, the colors should reflect that as well. White, cream, and beige decor are all on theme, but don’t be afraid to include blues and pale greens as well. After all, the beach is not monochromatic, so your home shouldn’t be either.
- Set a light and breezy atmosphere. You can do this by incorporating more white into everything—from linen bed sheets to lacey curtains to fluffy throw pillows. The white not only matches the beautiful ocean foam but also helps create a clean, elegant, and relaxed aesthetic.
- Introduce organic textures. Wood adds to the funky beachside feel, and distressed rugs, along with other woven pieces, create a natural, organic environment, making you feel like you’re right there on the sand!
- Bring in pops of blue decor.There are many different ways to do this. You can apply blue-patterned wallpaper to your living room, or adorn your coffee table with a bouquet of hydrangeas. You can also include nautical motifs, like a blue-striped throw pillow or a mason jar full of colorful seashells.