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If the crisp button-downs and floppy hats we’ve seen all summer long are any indication, the coastal-grandmother aesthetic has staying power. Originally coined by TikTok creator Lex Nicoleta in the spring, the phrase has evolved into a full-fledged fashion and lifestyle trend. In a sketch for “The Tonight Show” on Aug. 3, Jimmy Fallon released a music video dedicated to the aspirational way of life, tapping resident coastal grandmother Jane Fonda for a guest appearance.
As Fallon sang hilarious lyrics that speak to all the markers of a coastal grandmother — including breezy linen pants, gardening, and sensible shoes — Fonda embodied the very aesthetic and the activities that come with it. With a sweater loosely tied around her shoulders and a gold shell statement necklace at the center of her chest, the “Grace and Frankie” star swayed to the nostalgic melody as she organized shells in a jar, looked through her closet full of “18 shades of beige and navy,” and lounged in a wicker chair with a martini in hand.
The term went viral earlier this year shortly after Nicoleta defined it as the look for those who love “Nancy Meyers movies, coastal vibes, recipes and cooking, Ina Garten, [and] interiors.” For clothing, this translates into lightweight dresses, classic button-downs, functional sandals, and pretty much anything linen in a neutral, beachy color palette. And as Nicoleta has said, “You don’t have to be a grandmother to be a coastal grandmother.” Above, watch Fallon and Fonda’s comedic interpretation of the effortless aesthetic.
