First it was the clean girl aesthetic, then it was the old money classic, so, what new Pinterest worthy trend will be taking over our lives this summer?
Rumour (and by rumour, I of course mean TikTok) says it will be the coastal grandma, focused on Mamma Mia inspired blues, big white hats, and hobbies of reading, relaxing on the beach, and drinking iced tea. It is a far cry from the traditional summer trends of partying all night and sleeping until noon, so the coastal grandma aesthetic is certainly something to welcome by the introverts of the population.
But why such a switch in traditional summer behaviours?
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, only 25% of Gen Z are interested in ‘going out’ and reports show that younger people are drinking, on average, 20% less than older generations. As such, it makes sense that popular trends follow suit. With the rise in ‘clean living’, the concept of drinking less alcohol (or even going alcohol free!) has become much more popular, and the desire to move away from a digitalised society has led to increasingly ‘traditional’ hobbies like journalling, reading, and art. Furthermore, a rise in criticism of the popular term ‘bikini-ready body’ (imagine Baywatch) sees fewer people attempting to diet and over-exercise in order to gain ‘perfection’. Rather, eating healthier and engaging in self-care is seen as the best way to stay in good physical condition.
So, how do we practice coastal grandma?
Living by the beach is preferable, but if that’s not possible, having access to green space (like the meadows) is certainly the next best thing. Engaging in simple cooking, book clubs, and drinking wine over vodka mixers is also a big part of the practice, as is wearing linen and using wicker baskets. Slightly wealthier (and as such, inaccessible) practices involve owning beach houses and being a part of country clubs, but practising yoga and hosting dinner parties is a slightly more student-budget friendly option.
If you’re looking for notable inspiration, look no further than Martha Stewart and Meryl Streep. And as for TV shows, if you’ve finished your annual Gilmore Girls rewatch, why not give Grace & Frankie a try?
All in all, coastal grandma will definitely be making an appearance in my lifestyle this summer, will it be in yours?
“Reading a book at the beach” by Wouter de Bruijn is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
