By Emma Conlon ’25
This summer is all about leisurely walks along the rocky coast, gardening, cozying up in fresh linens, and of course binging Nancy Meyers movies. The term ‘coastal grandmother’ describes just that. As most trends do, the idea of being a coastal grandmother was inspired by a content creator, Lex Nicoleta on TikTok. “What is a coastal grandmother you ask? It’s a term I coined for this aesthetic… If you love Nancy Meyers movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, cozy interiors, and more, there’s a good chance you’re a coastal grandmother. And no, you don’t have to be a grandmother to be a coastal grandmother.”
Since Lex Nicoleta’s TikTok video in March of 2022, the idea of the coastal gran lifestyle has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Vogue, Elle, Glamour, the Wall Street Journal, as well as the Los Angeles Times. However, seeing as we live in Massachusetts, you’ve probably been familiar with this aesthetic for much longer than there’s been a name for it. The relaxing lifestyle and simplicity of Diane Keaton walking barefoot along a sandy beach wearing a clean white turtleneck and bucket hat has inspired everyone from highschoolers to actual grandmothers, and everything in between.
For the ultimate coastal grandma summer you must start by watching some Nancy Meyers approved classics: Something’s Gotta Give, The Other Woman, Father of the Bride, Sister in Law, and Under The Tuscan Sun. You must also do a deep dive into Ina Garten’s famous recipes, as well as attend the beach as often as possible. You might also want to update your wardrobe a bit. Inspiration from vintage J. Crew and Djerf Avenue, which have taken social media by storm, are just a couple of examples. So, hopefully I’ll see you at Lynch Park this summer, frolicking along the soft sand in a cozy white linen set.
