Summer is back, and so is the coastal style aesthetic. What once began as the “Coastal Grandmother” aesthetic on TikTok in 2023 has now been shortened to coastal style. The coastal style aesthetic captures the essence of living by the water on the East Coast. The style encompasses light and flowy fabrics, relaxed pieces and a color palette inspired by the beach. Whether you are visiting popular locations in New England, such as Cape Cod or Nantucket or sailing on the dark blue waters of the Atlantic, the coastal style aesthetic is perfect.
This style aesthetic can be dressed up with a maxi-skirt and sandals, or it can be dressed down with a tennis shoe and a light sweater. It is fun and easy to play around with this style, as there really is no right or wrong. The coastal style aesthetic is flexible as the temperatures on the East Coast are high during the day and dip lower at night. If the forecast is calling for a chilly evening, you can drape a sweater over your shoulders, which helps to elevate your look and keep you warm. We love experimenting with different styles for the coastal aesthetic. Here are some of the outfit inspirations we made for you.
The Polo Ralph Lauren Flag sweater is notorious for its coastal aesthetic. If you search for coastal aesthetics anywhere on the internet, this sweater is bound to pop up somewhere. While it is a popular piece, it fits the aesthetic perfectly. Here we paired the navy blue Flag Sweater with a pair of blue and white striped linen shorts and neutral Adidas Sambas. We accessorised the outfit with a blue tote, aviator sunglasses, frilly socks and a gold watch. If the weather were to be warmer on the coast, we would suggest putting a tank underneath the sweater so that you can drape it over your shoulders if you get too warm wearing it. This preppy outfit is perfect for this style of dress, and it is easy to mix and match however you like.
This look is more of a dressy coastal style option as it focuses on white and black rather than the traditional coastal color palette. This outfit was curated to show the different ways you can take the coastal aesthetic. To plan this outfit, we started with white linen pants and a striped tank as the base. We then accessorised those with gold earrings, a straw bag, black oval-shaped sunglasses and black flip-flops. We also added the cardigan just in case it gets chilly. This outfit is perfect for a dressy yet casual dinner or a night out on the boat.
This look is the most casual and focuses on basics. Here, we started with jean shorts and a ribbed white tank top as the base of the outfit. We then picked out some of our favorite jewelry pieces as well as a woven bag and a pair of brown sandals. We then paired it with a breathable red cardigan. This outfit is perfect for a day on Martha’s Vineyard or any New England destination. It allows you to look chic and put together while also being comfy and casual. It is the perfect daytime outfit that will have you dressed perfectly for the coastal style aesthetic.
