The coastal grandmother aesthetic is all over the news—and all over the country—these days, but you don’t have to be a grandmother or a mother to enjoy the trend. Coastal grandmothers wear neutral-colored pants and capris, breezy linen garments, relaxed-fit shirtdresses, classic button-downs, and bucket hats. If you’ve seen the movies Something’s Gotta Give or It’s Complicated, you know it when you see it.
One of the benefits to sewing your own clothing is the chance to take an inspiration and work your magic. With that in mind, try these patterns in the standard coastal grandmother color palette of white, khaki, and light blue. Or work in your favorite colors.
Make by TFS May Jean
The May Jean, is a go-to classic jeans pattern. It has a high-rise fit, back yoke, five pockets, and a fly-front zippered closure. Choose from a straight leg, wide leg, or a shaped leg. Leg hems finish at the ankle but can be lengthened or shortened. The May Jean pattern comes in sizes 4 to 32 (waist 22.4 inches to 51 inches; hips 32.3 inches to 60.8 inches). If your measurements are outside the available size range, TFS will create a custom-graded PDF pattern for you.
Sewing Workshop Hudson Pants
The Hudson Pant is a pull-on, ankle-length style, with calf-to-ankle darts. The pattern offers the option for an in-seam pocket. The accompanying Hudson Top, not shown, is a scrunch-neck pullover with side vents, long sleeves, and stitched hems. It is offered in a midhip or longer length. The pattern is sold in sizes XS to XXL.
Style Arc Trudy Tunic
The Trudy tunic exudes casual elegance. Several features create the pullover’s relaxed fit: back yoke with inverted pleat, center-front knife pleat, a tuck in front at each side seam, split side seams, and dolman sleeves. The concealed, two-button front closure sits below a traditional shirt collar. The pattern comes in sizes 4 through 30 (waist 23.5 inches to 50.5 inches, hips 32.6 inches to 61 inches).
Chalk and Notch Marcel Dress Pattern
This woven fabric dress and tank top design is fitted through the high bust and loose and flowing everywhere else—through the bust, waist, and hips. It features five gathered tiers at the sides sewn to long panels at centers front and back. The pattern offers two length options, above the knee and maxi. Women’s sizes 0 to 30 are offered with two bust-cup options (A/B bust 32 inches to 56 inches, C/D bust 34 inches to 58 inches, waist 25 inches to 49 inches, hip 35 inches to 59 inches). Visit Instagram for inspiration. We particularly like the blue-and-white versions, for a coastal grandmother look.
Cashmerette Calder Pants or Shorts
Cashmerette’s Calder pants are wide-legged with a flat front, an elasticized back waistband, and faced in-seam pockets. The design comes in three lengths: midcalf, full, and shorts. Lightweight to midweight woven fabrics with drape work best for these trousers. Customer reviews of this pattern are worth reading, as many who wear extended sizes have posted comments. This pattern comes in U.S. sizes 12 through 32 with an “apple” or “pear” fit (waist 32 inches to 52 inches, hips 42 inches to 62 inches).
Fabrics Store Mykonos Linen Shirt and Pant
This four-piece collection includes two shirts, pants, and shorts. The button-front shirt is semifitted with a camp-style collar, front and back yoke, and long- or short-sleeve options. The shirt has four pockets—perfect for collecting beach rocks. Two are in-seam pockets at the chest level and two are sewn into the side seams.
The drawstring-waist pants and shorts include a fly-front zipper, front and back pockets and offer a straight-leg silhouette.
The pattern comes in women’s sizes 2 to 24 (bust 33 1/4 inches to 51 inches, waist 25 inches to 46 1/4 inches, hip 36 1/4 inches to 55 inches).
Closet Core Kalle Shirt and Shirtdress
Here’s the ultimate chic shirt/shirtdress pattern for the coastal grandmother look. With an easy fit and crisp details, the design offers a number of styling options. Choose from a cropped shirt with concealed buttons, tunic length with half-placket, dress length with full front placket and high-low hem. All versions feature a curved yoke; short, cut-on sleeves; and a shirttail hem. There are many ways to make this dress your own through variations on collars, pockets, pleats, and plackets. Sizes 0 through 30 are available in a PDF format (full bust 31 inches to 58 inches, waist 24 inches to 51 inches, hips 33 inches to 61 inches)
Mood Sewciety Bucket Hat
Top it all off with a bucket hat for a classic way to keep the sun off your face. This design is reversible, so you can coordinate the hat with any of your wardrobe pieces. Make this in a denim or twill for ultimate comfort and style.
If you’ve made any of these, we’d love to see your work—please consider submitting a Gallery post or or tag us on Instagram with #memadethreads.
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