Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge

How We Style Coastal Chic | June Stylish Monday Link Up

June 13, 2022 / 44 Comments
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge

Coastal Chic is a recent style trend making headlines under the name of Coastal Grandmother. It has elements of breezy dresses, straw accessories, and lightweight linens and cottons in neutral shades with the occasional splashes of bright pastels like blue, pink, and yellow. The trend brings to mind chic fashion icons such as Diane Keaton and Martha Stewart in their effortlessly comfortable styles that are timelessly classic and far from an actual trend that has an expiration date. There is no expiration date on timeless style just as there is no expiration date on personal style. We get to be cool, sophisticated, and stylish well into our grandmother years and beyond.

When this group first decided to investigate this “trend” further, there was a bit of debate surrounding the title of Coastal Grandmother. Some found the phrasing offensively ageist while others embraced it as a positive statement for women over 40 in fashion. I fall somewhere in the middle, as I usually do, and can understand both sides of the debate while really not having much of an opinion about it myself.

I am years away from ever becoming a grandmother although there are many women my age who are grandmothers. Suddenly, the word grandmother no longer means “old” to me; therefore I am not offended by the use of that word in any context really. In fact, the whole concept of old versus young just keeps changing for me as time passes and I continue to age. I feel younger at 48 than I did at 30 and I feel healthier than I ever have in my entire life. I don’t consider myself even at the halfway point in my life…if I have any say it…so as far as I am concerned I am still firmly planted in youth.

In any event, we ultimately decided to eliminate the age reference and focus on the “Coastal Chic” aesthetic. Whether you consider yourself youthful or mature, you get to decide which style aesthetics and fashion trends you want to embrace…at any age. When it comes to personal style, I encourage you to wear what makes you feel like the best version of yourself and disregard all the rules.

Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge

So how did I go about styling this Coastal Chic trend? First of all, I have always been a huge fan of Diane Keaton’s style both in real life and in every character I have ever seen her play. She has a great affinity for capturing this effortlessly chic coastal vibe and has become the unofficial poster child (woman) for the Coastal Grandmother trend. Second of all, I have always really liked an easy breezy beachy style aesthetic even though I am not a fan of the beach. Well, unless, I am all dressed in a fabulous coastal chic outfit and walking in the sand rather than lying or swimming in it.

Since this is not one of my typical style aesthetics, I wanted to show how you can try a new trend on a budget. My outfit consists mostly of thrifted pieces with a few gifted pieces and even fewer items purchased at retail that were already in my closet. Actually, everything I am wearing was already in my closet. I was able to create this aesthetic with mostly preloved pieces that I already owned. But it shows that you can find trending items in secondhand shops which is a great way to try a new style for cheap until you decide if it’s for you.

My tan wide legged trousers and blue and white striped shirt dress are both by Zara and were purchased at my local Salvation Army Thrift Shop on two different shopping excursions. The trousers were a tad snug when I bought them but now they fit perfectly. The dress had a belt at one point, likely a matching fabric belt. While it looks fine hanging loose, I decided to cinch in the sides with ribbon laced through and tied on the inside just to give it a bit more shape. You can see the side detail in one of the photos way down below.

I knew I was going to use my old straw bag and I did just get myself a new straw hat because I needed a wider brimmed one for the festival this weekend. I tied a white scarf around the hat brim to coordinate with my outfit. I love the way a scarf can completely change the look of your hat.

Then I had two different scarves and I couldn’t decide which one was better. Jeff liked the tan one with the embroidered flowers (which was also purchased at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop) and I was more partial to the navy blue printed one (which was a gift from a friend) so we decided to photograph both. Once I saw the photos, however, I agree with Jeff. The tan is way better for this coastal aesthetic but the navy blue is just a much better color on me.

Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge

In keeping with the coastal theme, what better jewelry to wear than my big bold shell necklace and earrings that my friend Denise brought back for me when she vacationed in Jamaica a few years ago. This necklace has become one of my favorite “Frankie” necklaces and I wear it often with many of my bohemian outfits. I completed the look with comfy flat leopard print slides because my new tan rope sandals had not arrived yet. They have since arrived and I have a really cute boho outfit with them that I will be sharing on Friday.

There are no coasts near me but there are plenty of rivers and lakes in the area. I figured some kind of watery background was appropriate so we took these photos about 5 miles from my house on the Black River. The little rocky area on the edge of the river under the tree is one my favorite places to get high and meditate. I don’t go often enough because, well, I don’t really have a reason. I should go there more often. Maybe I will now that it has come to my attention. Do you have a favorite meditation spot? Being near water is always so great for heightening the meditation experience.

Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge

Now let’s see how my stylish friends have interpreted this Coastal Chic style theme. 

Stylish Monday is a monthly series published in collaboration with a group of international fashion and lifestyle bloggers. It is another opportunity to be creative with our personal style as we join together each month with a style prompt or theme. We also host a link party where anyone is welcome to add their personal style posts. 

We fashion bloggers love style prompts and themes! They keep us on our toes and they keep our creativity blooming. They force us to think outside the box and try new things. They push us out of our comfort zones and really great things tend to happen when you step out of your comfort zone. 

For lots of inspiration from around the world, you are bound to find something that appeals to you. Be sure to visit each of these amazing women for not just fashion inspiration…each woman in this group brings different and interesting elements to the blogging community.

Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood
Elegance and Mommyhood
“The Coastal Grandma trend has a silly name which is kind of offensive and ageist but what the trend means itself is indeed beautiful. To me – and I am nowhere close to being a grandma – it stands for effortless breezy summer looks that you would wear by the coast on a beach, especially in blues and whites (the color of sea and sand), floppy hats, sunglasses, sandals, flip flops & wedges. I chose this beachy look from my Florida vacation because it is perfect for the coast and the beautiful neutral crochet dress reminds me of grandmas.”
-Ada
Amy of Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Amy’s Creative Pursuits
“There are so many different ways one can embrace the coastal trend, my favorite is the classic, neutral look where you mix different shades of whites, creams, and beiges in one outfit.”
-Amy
Andy of Pearls and Pantsuits
Pearls and Pantsuits
“Coastal Chic, or ‘Coastal Grandmother’ as the TikTok crowd calls it, is a whole vibe, and I’m so here for it! I’m a sucker for linen pants, so my take on the trend consists of a comfy pair of linen pants from Target, paired with a breezy chambray tunic from Chico’s. I added the straw bucket hat as an homage to the OG Coastal Grandmothers – Meryl Streep and Diane Keaton.”
-Andy
Emma of Style Splash
Style Splash
“Coastal Chic is pretty much the antithesis of my style – neutrals, linen and minimalism are my kryptonite. But I love a challenge, so I adapted this trend of the moment to suit my style.”
-Emma
Julie of Fashion Trends and Friends
Fashion Trends and Friends
“If you follow me, you know that I love all the bright colors, more is better and unique pieces call my name! Therefore, when this theme was decided on, I was quick to bow out. Not sure why I tend to do that but I always rethink my decision and like pushing myself to try new styles, and new things I wouldn’t normally wear or pick out without a little nudge! So here is my spin on this Tik Toc originated trend!”
-Julie
Lucy of Lucy Bertoldi
“The coastal look involves lots of light colours. Light pastels look great at this time of the year, as do bright colours (take yellow for instance!). The important thing is to keep the fabric light-preferably cottons, linens, silks, muslins…you get the picture. The whole essence of this vibe is based on the lightness of the fabric, so that the draping is airy and moves with your flow. For today’s collaboration I chose this light pink striped dress with ruffled collar/sleeves.”
-Lucy
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
Nancy’s Fashion Style
“Well, I don’t live near the coast, and if I’m near the coast it’s in England. And I’ll tell you I’ve never seen anyone walking there in the coastal grandmother style, more raincoats and Hunters style. I think you should picture more of the California coast then. And warm neutrals, trousers with elastic at the waist and especially comfortable…you heard it, I’m really not a fan of it. Maybe my fashion friends can make me change my mind. But do take a look at what I made of it!”
-Nancy
Nicole of High Latitude Style
High Latitude Style
“Coastal Chic depends on so much more than just personal style. Consequently, there is no one-fits-most solution. Factors like ocean and air temperatures, color and type of the beach, weather, time of the year, culture, location, your activities, etc. play a role. When living in Europe, I loved long beach walks in The Netherlands in fall on a windy day with gray skies. My typical outfit was a yellow men’s rain jacket with hood, jeans, and rubber boots.”
-Nicole
Nina of Sharing a Journey
Sharing a Journey
“While I am not keen on the ‘Grandma’ in the title, I love coastal chic vibes in clothing, lifestyle and interiors. Coastal Chic is for everyone and can be created from our wardrobes –no need to go out and buy anything new!”
-Nina
Suzanne of Ask Suzanne Bell
Ask Suzanne Bell
“For me, ‘Coastal Grandma’ is less of a style (look), and more of an aesthetic, one we’ve been embracing in our Coastal Communities, unaware that we were trending. Think Oprah, Ina Garten, Martha Stewart, or my personal favorite, Diane Keaton, who by the way, was 56 years YOUNG, when she filmed the movie Something’s Gotta Give. The best part? You don’t have to be a grandmother, or live in a coastal community to try out this look. Furthermore, there’s a good chance you can recreate a Coastal Chic look, with items you already own in your closet!”
-Suzanne
And me!
Coastal Chic for Stylish Monday, thrifted style, dress over pants, Shelbee on the Edge
“Coastal Chic: Want to try a new style trend on a budget? Check out my mostly thrifted outfit that brought this trend to life for me without breaking the bank!”
-Shelbee
Featured Favorite from May’s Underneath It All
Jacqui of Mummabstylish
Mummabstylish
WEARING MY IZABEL DRESS TO A WEDDING
Imogen of Inside Out Style
Inside Out Style
Would You Love Practical and Stylish Outfits Yet Feel You Need to Change Outfits Several Times a Day?
Marsha of Marsha in the Middle
Marsha in the Middle
Style Imitating Art: Scrappy Squares!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

*Stylish Monday will be on summer hiatus for July and August and will return with our next themed post on September 12, 2022.

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Joining these Fabulous Link Parties. 

Outfit Details: Pants and Dress-Zara (Thrifted) / Earrings, Necklace, and Navy Blue Printed Scarf-Gifts from friends / Tan Floral Scarf-Thrifted / Shoes-Target / Hat and Bag-Burlington Coat Factory / Belt-Torrid / Scarf on Hat-Old

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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44 Comments

  • Amy Johnson

    June 13, 2022 at 7:47 am Reply

    I LOVE everything you said in this post. You are such a gifted author. I hope you write professionally. I kept “Coastal Grandma” in my title because I’m proud of it, and frankly, it’s better for the search engine stats since people are googling “Coastal Grandma” and not “Coastal Chic”. I love your outfit. You have the best pieces and know how to put them together so well.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 14, 2022 at 6:22 am Reply

      Oh my goodness, Amy, thank you so much. I am so flattered by this comment. Writing has always been my passion and my creative outlet. I spend so much time writing this blog though that I don’t get much other writing done. I know that I should but then I get lazy and unmotivated and am content with this little space of mine in internet land. I really enjoyed reading both sides of the debate on the “grandmother” part of this trend and I love that you are embracing it as a positive thing! I hope you have a wonderful week, my friend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Nancy

    June 13, 2022 at 7:50 am Reply

    Although you all,and you in particular, look very good in this style, I really don’t like this trend at all and have a very strong opinion about it. I will tell it all Friday on the blog!

  • mireille

    June 13, 2022 at 8:01 am Reply

    I love what you came up with! I really like the coastal style and I enjoy wearing neutral outfits like this. I really want to find some chambray or light blue tops when I thrift next. Love the color palette. I just picked up a pair of linen pants at Target in white to replace an old pair and almost wish I had ordered the tan ones. Tags still on so I might.
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 14, 2022 at 6:17 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Mireille! As much as I love a bright bold outfit, I do enjoy more subtle neutral looks as well. Variety is the spice of life after all! If we were the same size, I would send you some chambray shirts. I am cleaning out my closet and I know I have way more chambray shirts than I wear or need, but they are all XL and XXL which would be way too big for you. But I bet they aren’t too difficult to find in a thrift shop. It will be all soft and broken in, too!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Michelle

    June 13, 2022 at 11:04 am Reply

    This is a lovely breezy outfit! It looks like you’re ready to walk along a boardwalk or the shops that dot the areas across from the beach in CA. I really like the blue and white striped duster – dress, and that scarf is a beauty.

    Like you, I don’t have any judgments one way or another as far as the term Coastal Grandmother. I think it probably depends on the attitude of those saying it whether it’s meant to be inclusive or derogatory. That said, I tend to go for the positive interpretation, unless otherwise proven.

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 13, 2022 at 12:10 pm Reply

      Thank you, Michelle! This striped dress/duster thing is giving me so many styling ideas! And for a minute I thought I might purge it during my closet clean out. But I think I’ll keep for a while longer! Speaking of my closet clean out, I just sent a box your way today! I had it all packaged neatly with tissue paper and stuff in 2 separate mailers because I didn’t have one big enough. Then when I got to the post office, we figured out that a large flat rate box would significantly cheaper to send than the 2 large mailers. But to fit it all in, I had to roll everything up with no room for tissue or plastic to keep it safe! I hope it gets to you without bursting open! Haha.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 14, 2022 at 6:07 am Reply

      Aw, Rena, thanks so much! I really appreciate that. I have loved this aesthetic since I was a teenager so it sort of confused me that this is a “new trend” when in fact it is a timelessly classic beach vibe with a new name!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 14, 2022 at 7:32 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Emma! I have always just called this a beachy aesthetic but apparently when you give an old classic a new name it becomes a brand new thing or something like that! I think you did a great job for being out of your comfort zone! This was a fun theme to explore.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Karren Haller

    June 14, 2022 at 10:29 am Reply

    Well this is a montage of wonderful flowy outfits that resonates with me, they seem so feminine.
    I hope you have a chance to share on Oh My Heartsie Girls #omhgww this week!!
    Have a great week!

  • Joanne

    June 14, 2022 at 10:48 am Reply

    OH what a fun theme! I just love coastal decor and outfits, and anyting that reminds me of the coast!! I’ve always admired Diane Keaton’s classic style too and was so surprised to her hear take on it with her memoir that I listened to last month… so much of what she wears is to cover parts of herself that she doesn’t like! I like your outfit and am trying to wear brimmed hats more in the summer to keep my face out of the sun, but I haven’t really embraced that yet and stil feel kind of silly trying to style them with my normal “look”. I’m getting there though… I think..

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 15, 2022 at 4:26 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Joanne! Oh wow, that is a really interesting bit about Diane Keaton. I may have to check out her memoir. As for hats, I never liked them much until I grew my hair out. And now I wear hats nearly everyday. They are so great for keeping the sun off my face. Depending on my outfit and the occasion, sometimes I just wear a baseball hat. But I usually go for my straw cowgirl hat. I am picturing this Cotton Crusher Hat with your style aesthetic. I bet it would look super cute on you! By the way, I am not familiar with that company, I just started browsing wide brimmed hats and came across these and I think they are adorable!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Carol

    June 14, 2022 at 4:19 pm Reply

    You have such a knack for finding the best stuff at thrift stores! I love the blue & white striped dress worn as a duster over the wide-leg linen pants. You really captured the casual,coastal vibe.
    Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 22.
    Carol
    http://www.scribblingboomer.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 15, 2022 at 3:51 am Reply

      Carol, thank you so much! I do love digging through those thrifty racks and finding the gems amongst the junk! Some of my favorite and most worn pieces in my closet were thrifted. That makes me proud of my progress towards a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Marsha Banks

    June 14, 2022 at 10:45 pm Reply

    Woohoo! Thanks for the shout out, Shelbee! I still grin like a Cheshire cat when I see my face on someone else’s blog!

    Now, onto the Coastal Grandma or Coastal Chic debate. I would be more than happy to live on someone’s beach, dress in linen, and traipse around with a basket on my arm…if someone would pay my way! Know anyone with a nice little shanty on Nantucket? Anyway, back to the debate…I think the problem some have is in casting a certain demographic in a specific light. But, geez, that’s what we do with just about everything, right? If a woman wears her dress too short, and she’s in her 60s or 70s, she’s trying too hard. If a woman wears her dress too long (raises hand), and she’s in her 60s or 70s, she’s trying to relive her childhood or she just looks frumpy! It’s all rather silly, isn’t it? We should wear what makes us feel good, period! As my friend, RuPaul, says, “We’re all born naked, and the rest is drag!” So, let’s celebrate people wearing what they love!

    Thanks for the link party, my friend!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 15, 2022 at 3:38 am Reply

      Gahhhhh! I love that RuPaul quote! It is so true. I have been judged for my not so ordinary sense of style for my entire life. I never understood any of the trend labels because I have always just worn what I love and what makes me feel creative and authentic. I don’t need a label to be myself. Our clothing really is our drag for so many reasons. It’s our armor against the world. It’s our creative outlet. It’s just so much more than a silly trend or an arbitrary label. It speaks directly to who we are. And that absolutely needs to be celebrated! Great comment, my friend. Thank you so much.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Marsha Banks

    June 14, 2022 at 10:47 pm Reply

    Well, crap, I climbed up on my soapbox and forgot to comment on your outfit! I absolutely adore this combination, Shelbee! You may have been new to the look, but the look is positively perfect! I need to get more hats. I haven’t even begun to play with putting scarves on them yet!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 15, 2022 at 3:40 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Marsha! While this definitely is not a regular style aesthetic of mine, I have always loved easy beachy looks. But I would never want to live on the beach. Too much sand for my taste! And scarves and hats were totally meant to go together! I can’t wait to see what you come up with when you start playing around with that accessory combination!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Julie Augustyn

    June 15, 2022 at 11:39 am Reply

    Hi Shelbee!

    I think you can take any theme we come up with and put such a fun and unique spin on it! I always look forward to seeing your interpretation! You look easy, breezy fabulous in this coastal chic trend!

    Julie xo

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      June 16, 2022 at 4:21 am Reply

      Oh my goodness, Julie, thank you so much for this lovely comment. I do love a good style challenge and making the very best of it! It really is my favorite artistic outlet. Everyone did a great job with this style aesthetic!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Nicolle

    June 16, 2022 at 6:03 am Reply

    Oh I am fully embracing the coastal grandmother look! Love all of your ladies outfit inspo! Thanks so much for sharing! I shared some of mine as well!

  • Kim

    June 12, 2024 at 9:14 am Reply

    I’m obsessed with the light and airy vibe of coastal chic! Those breezy linen pants and straw hat combo is summer perfection. The pops of pastel color are such a fun touch, too. Lucy’s ruffled dress is adorable – perfect for a breezy day by the beach. Thanks for the inspiration!

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Shelbee on the Edge