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If you’ve spent much time on social media lately, you may have noticed that the coastal grandmother—an effortlessly chic, linen-clad woman-of-a-certain-age—is having a moment in the sun. The viral moniker, coined by TikToker Lex Nicoleta, refers to anyone—grandmother or not—who aspires to the breezy beachfront lifestyle of a Nancy Meyers heroine, like Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give. Hers is a world of easy luxury, filled with high-quality items that enhance life’s simple pleasures—so obviously, we’re here for it.

Luckily, you don’t need to own oceanfront real estate to indulge in the coastal grandmother aesthetic—just a few, well-curated pieces for your wardrobe (in varying shades of white) plus some accessories. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Wirecutter picks to elevate your summer style.

This simple, luxurious, and flattering open-front cardigan offers a delicate layer of warmth without the weight.

Nothing says coastal grandmother quite like swathing yourself in cashmere. The White + Warren Essential Cashmere Trapeze Cardigan, our favorite cashmere sweater for layering, drapes beautifully and feels nearly weightless. High-quality details, such as fully fashioned seams along the shoulders and well-finished edges, add to the cardigan’s subtle, luxurious vibe. White + Warren’s open, airy weave is delicate, so invest in this sweater only if you’re willing to treat it gently (but we know you will; coastal grandmothers are pros at caring for knits).

The Club Monaco shirt looks and feels polished enough to wear to a nice lunch yet casual enough for a day at the beach. Like all linen shirts, this one is meant to wrinkle.

Next to cashmere, linen is undoubtedly the coastal grandmother’s textile of choice: Its breathable, textured weave is practically synonymous with casual elegance. This summer-ready Club Monaco Slim Linen Shirt, a pick from our guide to the best men’s button-up shirts, looks great on anyone (menswear muse Diane Keaton would approve) and is equally stylish paired with a wide-leg pant or layered over a flowy dress. While linen is known—and either loved or hated—for its coarse, rumpled texture, this shirt feels pleasantly smooth to the touch. It’s also more polished than most, so you’ll still look put-together after a full day of gardening, cooking, and gazing thoughtfully at the sea.

This unisex robe was the lightest and softest linen we tried. The fabric helps it breathe more than the other lightweight robes we tested, so it’s ideal when the temperature is hot.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $167.

No life of leisure (or leisure cosplay) is complete without a great robe. The lightest, coolest, and most breathable linen robe we tested, the Rough Linen St. Barts Linen Robe is ideal for lounging around the house when the weather heats up. For those who like the look and feel of linen—if you’re into this trend, you probably do—this robe is fantastic. It has great wrap coverage, drapes well, and machine-dries with minimal shrinkage. Whether you’re whipping up a casual Sunday brunch or cozying up with a favorite book, wearing a linen robe elevates the experience.

These handwoven leather sandals are stylish and comfortable, molding to the feet after only a few wears.

When the contessa isn’t going barefoot, she’s probably wearing elegant, high-quality sandals like the Nisolo huaraches. Airy and versatile, they rank among our staff’s favorite sandals and are handmade by artisans to whom Nisolo commits to paying a fair wage. Their soft leather molds to the feet after just a few wears, and the padded, cushioned midsole offers good arch support (you just know that the coastal grandmother is serious about supportive footwear). The off-white “bone” shade looks especially light and breezy, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the dozen neutral-adjacent colorways the sandal comes in.

These textured canvas shoes have an understated shape that pairs well with almost any outfit. Flattering and comfortable, they are great for everyday wear.

With their understated silhouette and subtly textured canvas, Superga 2750 Cotu Classic White sneakers are the perfect complement to the light linen trousers and breezy button-ups that populate a coastal grandmother’s closet. These Superga shoes are great for everyday wear: Their pliable canvas uppers don’t require any break-in time, and our testers found them comfortable to wear even after a long day. They’re also extra flattering, with subtle seaming that wraps around the foot and an attractive rounded toe box.

This Panama straw hat is breathable and lightweight, and it provides ample shade. Each hat is handwoven, adding to its character.

The beach-going matriarch has learned certain things in life from experience—the importance of a good sun hat is one of them. Protect your skin (and look good doing it) with a sunny Panama hat such as the handwoven Olé Puerto Rico Borsalino Long Brim. One of our favorite summer hats, it’s lightweight, it breathes well, it creates a large swath of shade, and it can be reshaped easily. Each straw hat is handmade, with unique variations that add to its character.

This round pair is made from cellulose acetate, making it lightweight and durable. These sunglasses look as good as more expensive luxury pairs.

A beachy-cool aesthetic demands a great pair of shades. Kent Wang’s keyhole sunglasses look as good as luxury pairs twice their price, with a flattering round shape that garners lots of compliments. These sunglasses are comfortable, too. Made from flexible cellulose acetate, their lightweight design makes them easy to wear for longer periods of time. And like the coastal grandmother herself, these Kent Wang sunglasses are built to last: We’ve been recommending them since 2017, and we haven’t had a single issue.

The L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is a classic for a reason. Made from heavy canvas, this is a sturdy bag that will last you a lifetime.

There’s something effortlessly cool about choosing the most utilitarian option over the fanciest—as if to say, “Yes, I could bring my Loewe raffia tote, but this canvas bag is just so much more practical.” You can channel that chic nonchalance with the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote, one of our favorite tote bags. It pairs well with nearly any outfit and is ridiculously sturdy. The classic bag is made from heavy-duty cotton canvas that will stand up to a lifetime of beach outings and excursions to the local farmers market.

This oversize herringbone throw is stylish and versatile, and it’s rugged enough for heavy use.

With its eye-catching oversize herringbone pattern, ropy fringe, and soft, substantial texture, the Brahms Mount Monhegan Cotton Throw is giving us all the beach-bonfire vibes. We can just as easily imagine this versatile and hardworking throw draped casually across a slipcovered sofa or hosting a rom-com-ready picnic just like Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson’s enviable beachside spread in Something’s Gotta Give. In our wash-and-wear test, the durable Brahms Mount throw just got better—softer, plumper, and more distinguished—the more we abused it. Made in Maine, the Monhegan is created with a level of care that makes it feel unique rather than mass-produced.

This roomy, handwoven Longaberger basket is a fun and functional way to carry your picnic essentials.

One of our picks for the best housewarming gifts, the Longaberger Whitewashed Picnic Basket elevates the casual alfresco repast to a real occasion. Artisans at the Ohio-based home-decor company Longaberger weave each piece by hand from thin strips of durable maple wood. The resulting roomy basket is equal parts practical and playful, and it’s a fun way to tote picnic essentials to your favorite seaside spot.

This inexpensive tulip-shaped glass showcases both red and white wines well. It’s durable yet still thin and elegant enough for dinner parties.

The coastal grandmother is known for savoring the finer things in life, and wine, of course, is one of them. Key to its appreciation is a good wine glass, which can enhance a wine’s subtle aromas. Our favorite everyday glass, the tulip-shaped Libbey Signature Kentfield Estate All-Purpose Wine Glass, is an elegant and durable showcase for your favorite whites and reds. At around $50 for a set of four, they aren’t too precious, so they’re ideal for convivial dinner gatherings.

Paddywax’s Tobacco Flower candle comes in an eye-catching ceramic vessel and produces a subtle yet intoxicating cedar and patchouli fragrance.

Burning a scented candle is an effortless way to create a warm and inviting ambience in any room. One of our picks, the Paddywax Tobacco Flower Form Candle, features notes of orange, cinnamon, patchouli, clove, and sandalwood and has a subtle, smoky-sweet fragrance that we love. The candle comes in a tastefully embellished earthenware vessel that alone makes it well worth the price for the discerning coastal grandmother.

This article was edited by Catherine Kast and Jennifer Hunter.

Zoe Vanderweide is a staff writer reporting on style and accessories at Wirecutter. She has been wearing things for over three decades, and she has spent years covering streetwear, luxury, art, and design. Off the clock, you can find her painting the town rainbow with her (devastatingly stylish) daughter.

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