Coastal Grandmother is the Trend Keeping Us Going into Fall

It’s still blazing hot in Central Texas and that means keeping an eye out for comfy, flowy, cool clothing options. There are some trends that are true gems, with staying power that can last a while. While some may have gravitated towards the Y2K return of low-rise denim and butterfly patch crop tops, others have dug into the elegance of minimalism, with a slightly nautical flair. Coastal Grandmother is the trend taking over the summer, something that will last into the fall for students, parents, and teachers alike.

You might be thinking to yourself, what is Coastal Grandmother? But chances are, you’ve already seen people walking down the street or out for drinks wearing a look that falls under this category. Part minimalist, part refined neutral, and part nautical wear, Coastal Grandmother brings together the best of this season’s trends with an emphasis on a top layer of a collared shirt—bonus for it being a vintage silk and cotton blend Brooks Brothers top—with a tighter fitting top or swimsuit underneath and light-colored slacks. Coastal Grandmother brings together the quality material of linen, silk, cotton, and cashmere to create both a timeless and ageless look reminiscent of luxurious ladies who lunch…but on the coast.

  Photo: @forthedaintydays  
Photo: @meg.lion

There are so many ways to pull off this look—and anyone can do it. To me, Coastal Grandmother is the perfect excuse to take a trip to Goodwill, where all of these outfit essentials can be found for just a small fraction of retail value. By shopping at Goodwill, not only are you making a more wallet-friendly choice, but you’re also making a more sustainable choice by helping save quality clothes from going to landfills, and instead giving them a new life and new home within your wardrobe. I’ve found so many amazing items and dream brands by shopping at Goodwill—including a pair of Vince silk and cotton blend wide-leg khaki pants for just $11 (compared to their retail value of $200+) which were the perfect addition to my Coastal Grandmother wardrobe!

To tap into your more refined Coastal Grandmother persona, check out some of the outfit inspiration below of these awesome pieces sourced from my latest Goodwill shopping trips.

I’ll be living in these Vince pants this fall—they are the softest and most buttery material. You’ll almost feel like you’re wearing sweatpants, but will stay looking chic at the same time!

They’re a perfect pairing with this vintage Brooks Brothers button-down shirt or the buttercup yellow loose-fitted shacket I fell in love with on my most recent Goodwill shopping trip.

All you need is a more form-fitting top to wear underneath, sticking with the neutral color theme, of course, a leather bag, and a pair of sandals, and the Coastal Grandmother outfit is complete!

Already have your perfect Coastal Grandmother look and want to share? Make sure you tag @austingoodwill in your posts on Instagram. If you want in on the trend, coast into your central Texas Goodwill and find your flowy fashion statement.

Guest blog post by Felicia Czochanski