The Rise of 'Coastal Grandmother' Chic
You’ve seen the aesthetic, even if you don't know the name. Coined by influencer Lex Nicoleta, 'Coastal Grandmother' is less about age and more about an aspirational lifestyle of breezy, monied leisure. Think Diane Keaton in a Nancy Meyers film: cream-colored
cable-knit sweaters, linen pants, farmers' market totes, and a glass of white wine overlooking the ocean. The spiritual home of this vibe is the Northeast coast. From the shingled mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, to the hydrangea-lined lanes of Nantucket and the monied quiet of the Hamptons, this trend is about capturing a feeling of timeless, understated elegance. It’s not about flashy logos; it's about the perfect lobster roll, a windswept walk on a dune-backed beach, and the simple luxury of a good book on a porch swing.
The 'Dark Academia' Pilgrimage
For a different kind of nostalgia, look no further than the 'Dark Academia' trend, which romanticizes classic literature, Gothic architecture, and intellectual pursuits. And where better to find that than in the hallowed halls of New England? This adventure is about trading beaches for cobblestone streets and bookstores. It's a weekend trip to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to wander through Harvard Yard and get lost in the stacks of the Harvard Book Store. It’s exploring the historic, ivy-covered campuses of the Ivy League in places like Providence, Rhode Island (Brown) or New Haven, Connecticut (Yale). The feed-worthy shot isn't a selfie on a mountain, but a latte art photo in a dimly lit café, a stack of secondhand books, or a moody portrait in front of a centuries-old library. It’s a quiet, cerebral form of travel that feels like stepping into a Donna Tartt novel.
The Hudson Valley 'Slow Living' Escape
Just a few hours north of New York City, the Hudson Valley has transformed from a sleepy region into the epicenter of curated, rustic cool. This isn't just about escaping the city; it's about escaping into a specific, highly photogenic version of country life. The adventure here involves staying at a boutique hotel that was once a factory, dining at farm-to-table restaurants where the menu changes daily, and spending an afternoon browsing antique shops in charming towns like Hudson, Rhinebeck, or Kingston. It’s less about roughing it and more about ‘elevated rustic.’ This trend speaks to a desire for authenticity, craftsmanship, and a slower pace of life—all perfectly packaged for an Instagram story. It’s the fantasy of quitting your job to become an artisanal potter, but for a weekend.
The L.L. Bean-Core Mountain Getaway
While some trends lean into luxury and aesthetics, this one leans into a classic American archetype: the rugged individualist. Dubbed 'L.L. Bean-core' or simply 'gorpcore' (for 'good ol' raisins and peanuts'), this adventure is about embracing the great outdoors with a distinctly Northeastern flair. It’s hiking in New Hampshire’s White Mountains or Vermont’s Green Mountains, wearing flannel shirts and broken-in hiking boots. The goal isn’t a five-star resort, but a cozy cabin with a wood-burning stove or a campsite with a view. The fall foliage season, or 'leaf peeping,' is the Super Bowl for this trend, when the region’s forests explode in a riot of red, orange, and gold. It taps into a primal American connection to the wilderness, updated with high-quality gear and a focus on capturing that perfect, misty morning summit shot.
