I really need to catch up with you today. Life has been so loud lately, hasn’t it? Between work piling up, my absolute inability to keep my indoor ferns alive, and just the general chaos of being 25 right now, my brain is fried. And you know what I do when I get overwhelmed? I completely rethink my entire closet.
I have been going down the deepest rabbit hole ever. Have you noticed that everyone online is suddenly dressing like they own a beachfront property in Carmel and spend their afternoons arranging hydrangeas? It is the “Coastal Grandmother” aesthetic, and I am not joking when I say it is exactly what we both need to survive the rest of 2026. It is the ultimate vibe.
If you don’t know what I mean, just close your eyes and picture literally any Diane Keaton movie. Or Meryl Streep in *It’s Complicated*. There is always a gorgeous, slightly messy kitchen. Someone is always wearing a cream turtleneck on a breezy beach. And the biggest drama of the day is usually just figuring out how to bake the perfect croissant or dealing with a handsome architect. I want that life. Or at least, I want to dress like I have that life!
The best part about this whole thing is that you do not need to be a grandma, and you definitely do not need to live near the ocean. It is a mindset, babe. It is all about prioritizing comfort while looking effortlessly wealthy – even if our bank accounts are begging us to stop buying iced coffees. I have spent the last three weeks figuring out how to build the absolute perfect, foolproof capsule wardrobe for this. So let’s get into it and build your dream closet.
The Core Vibe: Colors and Fabrics
Okay, first rule of Coastal Grandma club. We have to talk about the color palette. If the color doesn’t look like it belongs in a jar of sea glass or a soft sandy beach, we are tossing it out.
You really want to stick to an incredibly tight color story here. We are talking crisp whites, soft creams, oatmeal, beige, light navy, and maybe a soft sage green or baby blue. That’s it. Keep it simple.
I swear my Auntie Elena was doing the coastal grandma thing back on the rez before the internet even had a name for it. We’d be at a massive family cookout in the middle of summer. Everyone else is sweating in tight denim shorts and graphic tees, and she would just float into the yard. She always wore these loose, flowy white linen pants, a beige oversized cardigan, and she layered her heavy silver and turquoise jewelry over it. She looked so unbothered, so elegant, and so comfortable while eating her frybread. That is exactly the energy we are channeling. Comfort, but make it incredibly chic.
For fabrics, you have to be a little bit of a snob. Just a tiny bit! Put the heavy polyester down right now. We want 100% cotton, breathable linen, lightweight cashmere, and chunky knits. The point is that these clothes need to feel amazing on your body. When you mix and match natural textures, even a basic t-shirt and pants look super expensive.
Item 1: The Perfect Oversized Button-Down
If you buy nothing else this month, you need a crisp, oversized button-down shirt. You can get one in stark white, or a very light blue and white stripe. It should look like you borrowed it from a very stylish older man who owns a sailboat.
This is honestly my holy grail item. I use it as a swimsuit coverup when I actually make it to a pool. I tie it over slip dresses. I tuck it into jeans. It is so versatile and easy. You want it to be baggy, so do not buy your normal size. Size up by one or two sizes for that relaxed fit.
Let me tell you about my absolute failure trying to thrift one of these last week. I was at that massive vintage store downtown, digging through the men’s section. I found what I thought was the most perfect, soft blue striped linen shirt. I bought it without trying it on because I was rushing to meet Sarah for lunch. I got home, put it on, and realized it had a weirdly stretchy waistband at the bottom. Bestie, I bought the top half of a men’s pajama set. I literally wore a grandpa’s pajama top to the grocery store. Honestly though? I just rolled the sleeves up and nobody even noticed. That is the magic of this aesthetic!
Item 2: The Essential Linen Pants
You cannot do this trend without linen pants. It is basically the law.
Look for a pair with a drawstring or a stretchy, relaxed waist. They should be wide-leg and breezy. White or cream is the classic choice here. But if you are terrified of staining them, a soft tan or a light navy works perfectly too.
Yes, linen wrinkles. You have to just accept that fact right now. It is part of the charm! The wrinkles show that you’ve been sitting on a porch reading a romance novel, or walking through a garden clipping fresh hydrangeas. Or, in my reality, sitting at a desk typing passive-aggressive emails for three hours straight. Nobody needs to know the truth. Just embrace the crinkles, it makes the outfit look lived-in.
Just a quick warning about all this white and cream though. You have to be so careful! A few days ago I was wearing my absolute favorite white linen set. I felt amazing, practically floating down the sidewalk. Then I sat down at our favorite cafe, ordered a massive iced blackberry hibiscus tea, and somehow managed to knock the entire plastic cup right onto my lap. It was a complete disaster. I had to waddle to my car looking like a tie-dye experiment gone horribly wrong. So, if you are clumsy like me, maybe lean a little heavier into the navy blues just to be safe!
Item 3: The Chunky Knit Sweater
Even in the summer, a true coastal grandma knows that the evening breeze can get a little chilly. You need a good, substantial sweater in your capsule.
I love a classic cable knit or a ribbed cotton crewneck. And here is the best trick – you don’t even have to wear it properly. Just drape it over your shoulders and tie the arms loosely in the front. It is such a preppy, effortless styling trick. It adds visual interest to a plain tank top and gives you that “I might go to the country club later” vibe.
Make sure it is a solid neutral color. A thick cream sweater draped over a blue striped button-down is basically the official uniform of this whole aesthetic. It is so cozy and makes you feel instantly safe.
Item 4: The Breezy Tops (Tanks and Tees)
Underneath all these layers, you need a solid foundation. You have to invest in a few high-quality, opaque tank tops or classic t-shirts.
I always look for a ribbed texture because it adds just a tiny bit of detail. Do not just buy the cheapest ones that get holes after one trip through the washing machine. Spend an extra ten bucks to get a cotton one that actually holds its shape. This is what you will be wearing under your open button-downs and cardigans, so it needs to fit you perfectly. Not too tight, but not totally baggy either.
Item 5: The “Go-Anywhere” Shoe
We are absolutely not doing heels for this capsule. Coastal grandmothers value their arches way too much for that nonsense.
You need a shoe that you can easily slip on to go check the mail or walk to the farmer’s market on a Sunday morning. A leather slide sandal, a classic canvas sneaker, or a soft suede loafer. Birkenstocks are also totally acceptable here, especially the ones in lighter beige or taupe colors.
I just got a pair of cream-colored leather slides and they have changed my daily routine. They go with everything. They take exactly one second to put on. That is the exact kind of efficiency we are striving for in our twenties, you know?
Item 6: The Woven Market Tote
You need a bag big enough to hold a baguette, a bunch of flowers, and whatever book you are pretending to read right now.
A straw or woven basket bag is the only way to go. It adds this beautiful, earthy texture to your outfit. Even if you are just carrying your laptop, your keys, and a bunch of old receipts you refuse to throw away, a straw bag makes it look romantic. It says “I just came from gathering fresh produce” instead of “I am stressed out of my mind running errands.”
Item 7: The Accessories (Keep it Simple)
For jewelry, less is honestly more. We aren’t doing heavy glam or massive sparkling stones.
A simple pair of gold or silver hoops, a delicate chain, or a classic watch. This is where I love to mix in my Native roots, too. I will take a really simple Nancy Meyers outfit – like a white button-down and linen pants – and then add one beautiful piece of turquoise jewelry. Like that silver cuff my grandma gave me for graduation. It grounds the outfit and makes it feel personal to me, rather than just copying a trend exactly.
And obviously, you need sunglasses. A slightly oversized, tortoiseshell frame is perfect. Add a bucket hat or a wide-brimmed straw hat if you are actually going to be in the sun. Sun protection is the most important part of looking good as we get older anyway!
How to Put It All Together (Without Looking Messy)
So now you have all the pieces in your closet. How do you actually wear them so you look like a rich lady on vacation, and not like you just rolled out of bed?
The secret is all in the “half-tuck”. If you are wearing a baggy shirt and baggy pants, you can easily lose your shape entirely. Just take the front of your button-down or t-shirt and gently tuck it into the waistband of your linen pants. It defines your waist just enough to give you some structure, while keeping the rest of the outfit super flowy and relaxed.
Also, roll up your sleeves! Take the cuffs of your button-down and roll them up to your forearms. It exposes your wrists, which is actually super flattering, and makes the outfit look intentional. It’s all about looking like you just threw the clothes on, but making sure they fall perfectly.
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Frida
