Get the Coastal Granddaughter Look
I recently started reading Elin Hilderbrand’s book “Hotel Nantucket.” Known as the ultimate beach read author, Hilderbrand gained popularity by setting her books on the East Coast island off Cape Cod, filled with wealthy, stylish, beautiful people. It made me long for a trip there. But in the meantime, I thought I’d use it as inspiration for my summer style.
The East Coast, especially the beach-side areas where high-income earners go to play, has always had a style that combines preppy with coastal chic. It’s been captured in recent social media fashion trends from quiet luxury to coastal grandmother. See my previous article on coastal grandmother style.
But now there’s the coastal granddaughter look, a more youthful spin on grandma’s look. It’s more up-and-coming for aspirational ladies who haven’t quite retired into an expensive coastal estate.
But the style staples are still there. Here are a few to get you started.
Crisp White Button Down and A-Line Wrap Skirt
You cannot go East Coast style without a white button-down in your wardrobe. From crisp and fitted to loose and breezy, it is a must-have fashion item and looks great with everything from skirts to pants to jeans. Wear it slightly oversized as a light jacket or cover-up from that beach day sun. Pair it with an A-line midi skirt, and you have a classic look that is chic and polished. Shop white button-down.
White and Navy
If you only have two colors in your coastal wardrobe, make it white and navy, preferably striped together. Nothing gives the beachy look more than the colors of light and water together. Look for any, and I mean any top with white and navy stripes, and you’re sure to covey coastal envy. Pair it with a light midi skirt, wide-leg linen pants or even jeans for a casual day-along-the-pier look. Shop navy and white top.
Shirtdress and loafers
Part casual, part polished, the shirtdress is the way to wear a summer dress while staying prim. It’s the perfect preppy coastal wardrobe essential. You can find shirtdresses in almost any type of print or solid color. Look for light, high-quality materials that drape well and don’t wrinkle. See also my recent article on how to wear a shirtdress.
Pair it with another preppy classic, loafers, which draw connotations of upper-class boarding school academia aesthetic that your wealthy coastal grandmother may have helped send you to. Shop shirtdress.
Now that you know how to get the coastal granddaughter look, will you try it this summer?
See more of my looks in my Stiletto City Instagram page.
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