Nov 22 - JHB North

Coastal
The classic, 100 per cent
linen, relaxed fit shirt
dress, with cropped
sleeves, side pockets,
mother-of-pearl
buttons. R1199 from
sweetpeas.co.za (in fact,
if you visit Sweetpeas,
there’s very little that
doesn’t suit the look).
grandmother
It’s not just fashion ...
rather a way of life
So what is it ... this Coastal Grandmother way of life
that’s sweeping across the world? If you’re not one of
the million-plus who’ve spotted the trend, started by
TikToker Lex Nicoleta, here’s the lowdown.
Firstly, and massively important, you don’t need to be
a grandmother. Nor do you need to live on the coast.
Rather, it’s a way of life, a classic, timeless look that’s
stylish and comfy and effortless.
It’s ageless, so think Dianne Keaton in Something’s Got
To Give (in fact, watch Nancy Meyer’s The Parent Trap
and It’s Complicated, too, for inspiration), but then know
it’s also the younger Anne Hathaway, who posted a
photo of herself in a casual but classic white and offwhite
outfit, complete with bucket hat, saying “I have
been ready for #coastalgrandmother chic since before
TikTok was born. May this moment never end.”
It’s all muted colours - white with egg-shell and ivory
and milk, gentle seaside-blue and seaweed-green, in
soft fabrics - linen, pure cotton, cashmere.
Wardrobe essentials are oversized button-down shirts,
chinos and drawstring palazzo pants, flowing, easy-towear
maxi dresses, bucket hats and espadrilles.
But it’s not all about the wardrobe. Coastal
Grandmothers is also about the way you live.
It’s gardening, and growing your own herbs. It’s
hydrangeas. It’s long leisurely walks - on the beach if
you’re there, or in the park. It’s shopping at the local
farmers market, and entertaining at big, long outdoor
tables with rattan placemats and pure linen napkins,
oversized glasses of wine and a meal from one of Ina
Gartan’s Barefoot Contessa cookbooks ... think truffled
mac and cheese, or lobster pot pie, or fresh fig and
ricotta cake. And there’s always - always - a bowl of
fresh lemons on the table.
There’s even a Spotify Coastal Grandmother playlist by
lexnicoleta ... all Marvin Gaye followed by Gladys Knight
and the Pips, Four Tops and Norah Jones, John Legend
and Steve Tyrell ... and you’ll definitely hear Elton’s
Bennie and the Jets and Natalie Cole’s This Will Be.
Luxurious, laid back, comfortable, generous ... it’s
dressing, decorating and living your best life.
And if you haven’t already embraced it, this Summer’s
the perfect time to start.
20 Get It Magazine November 22