8 Hamptons-inspired vacation looks to nail coastal grandmother style

Hamptons energy still works because it sells a very specific kind of ease, polished enough for dinner and relaxed enough for a ferry ride. Lex Nicoleta coined coastal grandmother in spring 2022, and TikTok turned it into a runaway summer code, with the hashtag climbing from more than 111.5 million views to over one billion in early tallies. The appeal is clear: it lets you borrow the East End look without owning the house, by mixing linen, white shirting, navy stripes, and raffia into a uniform that feels both affluent and approachable.

Martha Stewart's East Hampton uniform

Martha Stewart is the original proof point for this mood, because her East Hampton house on Lily Pond Lane has long stood as the visual shorthand for Hamptons polish. She bought the property in 1991 for $1.7 million, and one source notes that the house was built in 1873, making it the oldest on the street. Translate that kind of pedigree into clothing with a white button-down, linen trousers, and a straw tote, then anchor it with a navy cue so the look never drifts into costume.

Angelina Jolie's stripped-back arrival look

Angelina Jolie gives coastal grandmother its quietest, sleekest reading. Think creamy linen with a long, clean line, then add a single nautical note, such as a navy sandal, white shirting, or a slim stripe that keeps the palette crisp. Finish with one texture-rich accessory, like woven leather or raffia, because the trend works best when the surface feels as important as the silhouette.

Sarah Jessica Parker's bookish weekend edit

Sarah Jessica Parker makes the style feel lived-in rather than staged, which is exactly why she remains such a Hamptons reference point. Her summer routine has been framed around books, travel, and creative projects, and her Mysa by Sarah Jessica Parker x Wallshoppe wallpaper line shows how far the look travels beyond the closet. For the wardrobe version, start with a linen base, add white or navy, then bring in an oversized tote or bucket hat so the outfit reads as a real vacation uniform.

The navy stripe and linen set

If coastal grandmother has a uniform, it is the navy stripe. A striped shirt with linen shorts or trousers instantly signals the nautical side of the trend without looking overworked, especially when the cut stays loose and the fabric looks lightly worn in. Keep the accessory story natural with straw sandals or a basket bag, because one tactile element is enough to make the whole outfit feel summer-ready.

The white-shirt-and-jeans formula

A crisp white button-down with navy jeans is the easiest way to make the trend feel modern and portable. The combination is classic for a reason: it balances the softness of linen and cotton with the structure of denim, which keeps the look from becoming precious. Add woven sandals or loafers, and you have the kind of outfit that can move from lunch in Southampton to an early dinner without changing a thing.

The raffia bag and linen dress look

Raffia is the accessory that gives the whole story its warm, hand-finished texture. A cream linen dress, or a matching set in sand or shell tones, becomes instantly more Hamptons-inspired when you add a raffia bag and keep the rest of the styling spare. The result is polished but not glossy, which is exactly why this aesthetic still feels so clickable.

The bucket-hat beach day look

The bucket hat has become one of the most useful pieces in the coastal grandmother wardrobe because it solves the sun problem and still looks deliberate. Wear it with a white shirt and linen pants, or with a relaxed short set, then keep the palette to soft neutrals with a single navy accent. That balance gives you the relaxed, affluent seaside mood that also nods to farmers' markets, gardening, and the kind of lived-in weekend that made the trend spread beyond fashion.

The white-tailoring dinner look

For evening, coastal grandmother sharpens into something cleaner and more elegant. White tailoring over a linen base, finished with woven sandals or a straw clutch, lands in that sweet spot between Southampton supper and modern resort dressing. It is the most polished version of the trend, and the one that proves Hamptons style still wins because it looks effortless while quietly doing all the work.