The Coastal Grandma look and vibe has stormed the internet. If you have not heard of it yet, go look it up. Right now. The term Coastal Grandma was coined by Lex Nicoleta, who ironically is not a grandma. Well, I am a grandma and I love the coast, so I must be a Coastal Grandma right? Well apparently not. It is not just a look, but an attitude. An inspirational lifestyle. Think Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give or Meryl Streep in It’s Complicated.
The Look:
The Coastal Grandma, let’s just call her CG for short, has a simple, elevated, organic, earthy vibe. It goes along with shades of ecru and white, blues, grays and beach grass green. This easy lifestyle calls for natural fibers: linen pants, a chambray shirt, a straw hat, a market basket, cotton slipcovers, sisal rugs, jute, fresh flowers and herbs on the windowsill. It is a natural, textured, comfortable aesthetic.
The Lifestyle:
The Coastal Grandma definitely lives a more relaxed, elevated lifestyle. It is a crisp glass of white wine and a good book. It is cutting hydrangias from the yard to arrange in a bouquet or cutting lavender to gather into bundles and dry. It is taking a wicker basket to meander through the farmer’s market to get fresh green beans and raspberries for dinner.
The Attitude:
While the Coastal Grandma lifestyle and look is appealing, I think what really resonates with women is the attitude that the CG portrays. It is the idea of living authentically, without apology, that draws us as much as the look itself. The CG is comfortable in her own skin. She knows who she is and what she likes and is confident enough to express it. She is comfortable graciously saying “no.” It often takes years of living to get to this point. The CG makes time to live life on her terms. She no longer walks into a room and compares herself to other women there, worried about how she levels up. Instead, she walks into a room confident that she is her best version of herself. She is more concerned about connecting with the people and enjoying the experience.
The Trend Setters:
Of course, women of any age can exemplify the Coastal Grandma look and lifestyle, but don’t you love that this term originated from women of retirement age who are living this lifestyle that is setting a trend? It kicks ageism right out the door! This celebrates a lifestyle that we have earned and are living fully at this time in our lives. I believe that the CG exudes a confidence that only years of living can shape. The pointy, rough edges of her personality have mellowed over time to reveal a beautiful patina. I recently read CG described as an emotional place the hurried 2022 woman has arrived at after years of making everyone else’s lives more important. After years of working, raising a family and hurrying, we are ready to slow down and live more intentionally. It is, finally, living fully ourselves and loving it.
How refreshing that retired women were the originators of this lifestyle. And why shouldn’t we be? We have learned over time what we like and how to embrace a lifestyle that nourishes us. We have finally come to accept ourselves. We are not perfect and we are OK with that. Really OK. Maybe, just maybe, having dewy skin, silky hair and cottage cheese free thighs isn’t what it is all about. Let’s be examples to younger women of retired women who are comfortable in our own skin and are living a life that fills our souls.
