In movies and books, I’m all about the extreme. Someone who marches to the beat of their own drum, doesn’t need to fit the mold, nor wants to. There’s plenty of room for a great character in a good outsider story. I think that’s why I imagine it the way I do. When I first started working on the character for my book HOUSE IN BLOOM, I realized that my character, Dahlia, didn’t fit into the traditional coastal aesthetic. She was not a coastal grandmother or a coastal granddaughter. It was something completely different.
After covering this summer’s latest trend, Coastal Auntie, I realized that my personality was closer to this style and aesthetic. But she wasn’t quite the coastal niece. Improving these classic coastal patterns and coming up with an alternative interpretation was a lot of fun. So what is a coastal niece?
Well, it’s straight out of a Nancy Meyers movie. Think Erica Barry’s niece from Something’s Gotta Give but with a sporty twist. These have no actual standards but they don’t take themselves too seriously. Coastal Niece loves tradition, but that’s because it’s a bridge to the past. It’s street smart, simple, nostalgic, and cheeky. She is independent and a bit lonely sometimes. It prefers animals to humans (it’s safer that way), old to new, and coffee to tea. The scent should make her smile because it is connected to the people and things she once loved. Her perfect day starts with a swim in the bay or surfing in the ocean, spending hours in the park, followed by a good book in the bathroom with a glass of wine or maybe an oversized sweater by the fire.
Family heirlooms, old books and pictures are valuable to her, not material things. Being on the coast awakens her spirit and brings her back to life. It takes her back to simpler times when the colors were brighter, the air more fragrant, and her heart flowing. She is a romantic at heart but disguises herself as usual in order to feel safe. Only a few lucky people get to know her exceptional personality, as her circle is small. You can find her wearing sneakers, a blazer, a flowing floral dress, and a thrifty leather jacket. Her style is a little messy and windy, but she always makes it look effortless. With this aesthetic, perfection is extremely overrated.
What do you think? Would you like to read a book where FMC has this aesthetic?
Have a nice day, friend!
