11 Brands Nailing The Nantucket Aesthetic

There's something refreshing about a wardrobe that doesn't chase trends . Instead of buying pieces you'll be over by next season, the Nantucket aesthetic has always favored buying fewer, better pieces. It's a region where people pass down sweaters, canvas totes, signet rings, and sailing jackets from one generation to the next, so quality and longevity have always mattered more than whatever's trending that season. The style is built around crisp button-downs, cable-knit sweaters tossed over your shoulders, linen dresses , lived-in denim, woven totes, and boat shoes you'll wear for years. It's the kind of style that looks just as appropriate grabbing coffee in town as it does watching the sunset from a sailboat, even if your closest body of water is the neighborhood pool. That effortless look didn't happen by accident. New England summers revolve around being outside, whether that's sailing, spending the afternoon at the beach, biking through town, grabbing seafood on the dock, or throwing on a sweater once the ocean breeze rolls in after sunset. Naturally, the wardrobe evolved to prioritize breathable fabrics, easy layers, comfortable classics, and pieces durable enough to keep up with the lifestyle while still looking polished. While "quiet luxury" may have had its moment, the Nantucket aesthetic has embodied those same principles for decades. It's polished without feeling stuffy, feminine without trying too hard, and preppy without looking costume-y. Rooted in New England heritage and seaside living , it's less about flashy labels and more about quality fabrics, classic silhouettes, and pieces that never really go out of style . Whether you're spending the summer on the Cape, planning a weekend by the lake, or simply want to bring a little East Coast charm to your everyday wardrobe, these are the brands worth having on your radar. Dairy Boy Established in 2021 by influencer and entrepreneur Paige Lorenze (now Paige Paul), Dairy Boy was inspired by summers spent in Vermont and Connecticut. "It's going back to the good things in life and keeping it simple," is how Paige described the brad's laid-back style. It has now become known for its nostalgic Americana aesthetic, with cozy knits, relaxed denim, equestrian-inspired pieces, and vintage-feeling graphics. If your Pinterest board is filled with farm stands, coastal weekends, and crisp fall mornings, Dairy Boy delivers that effortlessly preppy lifestyle in clothing form. Our favorites to shop right now: The Fisherman's Daughter Sweater, $108 Margaret Apron Dress, $68 The American Rugby Long Sleeve, $95 Chore Jacket, $185 The Regatta Sweater, $108 Everyday Linen Pant, $78 DJERF AVENUE Swedish influencer Matilda Djerf co-founded Djerf Avenue in Stockholm in 2019 with the goal of creating timeless wardrobe staples rather than trend-driven pieces. The brand has built a cult following for its minimalist tailoring, oversized button-downs, relaxed trousers, and effortlessly polished Scandinavian style. With an emphasis on thoughtfully designed collections and slow fashion, Djerf Avenue has become one of the defining brands of the "clean girl" era while maintaining a distinctly timeless appeal. Our favorites to shop right now: Angel Summer Top Blue Stripe, $110 Morning Dress Coastal Stripe, $130 Breezy Shorts, $75 Sweet Pea Top, $110 Denim Shirt, $155 Structured Wool Sweater, $155 THE GREAT. Founded in 2015 by fashion designers Emily Current and Meritt Elliott, THE GREAT. is known for its vintage-inspired take on American classics. Every collection feels equal parts California ease and East Coast heirloom, featuring romantic dresses, perfectly broken-in denim, cozy knits, and heritage-inspired outerwear. The brand's relaxed silhouettes make it a natural fit for anyone drawn to Nantucket's understated elegance. Our favorites to shop right now: The Fisherman Laceup Pullover, $395 The Sailboat Lodge Cardigan, $450 The Eyelet Tank, $115 The Eyelet Tap Short, $105 The Victorian Pleat Tank, $295 The Bass Cardigan, $395 L.L.Bean Few brands embody New England quite like L.L.Bean . Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean in Freeport, Maine, the company began with its now-iconic Bean Boot and has spent more than a century outfitting outdoor enthusiasts. Today, its cable-knit sweaters, canvas Boat and Tote bags, fisherman sandals, and classic layers have become just as synonymous with coastal style as they are with outdoor adventure. Our favorites to shop right now: Double L® Sweater, Novelty Rollneck Sweater, $100 Boat and Tote®, Open-Top Bag, $40 Adirondack Barn Coat, $150 Camden Hills Chelsea Boots, $95 Lobster Crewneck Sweater, $68 Cotton/Cashmere Stripe Sweater, $80 EllandEmm EllandEmm is a women's clothing boutique that has built a loyal following for its feminine, elevated take on everyday dressing. Filled with breezy linen sets, polished separates, and timeless accessories, the brand perfectly captures the relaxed sophistication that defines Nantucket style. If you're looking for classic pieces that feel put together without trying too hard, EllandEmm is worth bookmarking. Our favorites to shop right now: Yacht Club Half Zip, $78 Boardwalk Beach Tee, $58 Boardwalk Beach Short, $48 The Seabreeze Polo Knit, $65 The Horizon Tote 2.0, $68 Picnic Shorts, $42 Kiel James Patrick Founded in Rhode Island by Kiel James Patrick , this quintessential New England lifestyle brand celebrates everything from sailing and seaside towns to autumn in New England and classic Americana. Its iconic rope bracelets first put the brand on the map, but today it offers everything from dresses and sweaters to accessories and home décor. Every collection feels like a postcard from coastal New England, making it one of the most authentic brands for achieving the Nantucket aesthetic. Our favorites to shop right now: Hydrangea Embroidered Cable Knit Sweater, $128 Mayfair Check Ruffle Shirt, $98 American Stripes Rollneck Sweater, $168 Amelia Stripe Skirt, $118 Harbor Gull Sweater, $138 Bristol Patchwork Madras Shirtdress, $158 Tuckernuck Named after the tiny island just west of Nantucket, Tuckernuck was founded in 2012 by family and friends inspired by summers spent on the Massachusetts coast. The retailer curates established brands alongside its own in-house labels, all centered around colorful classics, polished tailoring, and timeless wardrobe staples. Whether you're shopping for a garden party, a beach vacation, or everyday classics, Tuckernuck makes preppy dressing feel fresh rather than stuffy. Our favorites to shop right now: Gingham Meana Halter Midi Dress, $178 Embroidered Mandy Tank, $128 Blue Grotto Crochet Capri Crewneck, $148 Blue Grotto Crochet Positano Shorts, $128 Gingham Seersucker Landis Maxi Dress, $228 Natural Ocean Ave Sandals, $60 Abercrombie & Fitch Although Abercrombie & Fitch began as an outdoor sporting goods retailer in 1892, the brand has undergone one of fashion's biggest revivals. Over the past several years, it has become a favorite for elevated basics, polished denim, linen separates, and effortlessly wearable dresses that feel far more sophisticated than its early-2000s reputation. If you're looking for timeless staples with contemporary tailoring, Abercrombie has earned its comeback. Our favorites to shop right now: Puff-Sleeve Pintuck Blouse, $70 High Rise Seersucker Pull-On Short, $55 100% Cotton Roll Neck Crew Sweater, $75 Crochet-Style Shell Top, $65 High Rise Crochet-Style Short, $53 Tie-Back Denim Vest, $65 J.Crew Since launching its now-iconic catalogs in the 1980s, J.Crew has become synonymous with classic American style. The brand built its reputation on timeless essentials like striped sweaters, crisp button-downs, chino shorts, and tailored blazers, aka everything you need to build your Nantucket-inspired wardrobe. Its signature blend of preppy polish and relaxed ease continues to make it a staple brand to shop. Our favorites to shop right now: Gamine Button-Up Eyelet Shirt, $70 Soleil Pant Striped Linen, $69 Fisherman Sandals, $168 2026 Barn Jacket™ in Denim, $168 Rollneck™ Reversible Cardigan, $118 Tie-Front Top With Gingham Details, $100 Hill House Home Founded by Nell Diamond in 2016, Hill House Home first gained recognition for luxury bedding before expanding into apparel. The brand's wildly popular Nap Dress® became a viral phenomenon thanks to its flattering silhouette and ability to transition seamlessly from lounging at home to dinner with friends. Today, its romantic dresses, floral prints, delicate details, and coastal-inspired collections make it an easy choice for anyone embracing the Nantucket aesthetic. Our favorites to shop right now: The Scarlett Nap Dress, $149 The Zoya Top, $149 The Palmer Top, $150 The Jessie Short, $150 The Azalea Mini Nap Dress, $149 The Raven Top, $69 Ralph Lauren The iconic American fashion house was founded by Ralph Lauren in 1967 and helped define the modern preppy aesthetic long before "coastal grandmother" and "quiet luxury" entered the cultural lexicon. Drawing inspiration from East Coast country clubs, Ivy League campuses, equestrian culture, and summers in New England, the brand built its reputation on timeless wardrobe staples like oxford shirts, cable-knit sweaters, tailored blazers, crisp chinos, and classic polo shirts. Decades later, Ralph Lauren remains the gold standard for effortless American style, making it one of the easiest brands to turn to when channeling the Nantucket aesthetic. Our favorites to shop right now: Polo Bear Wool-Cashmere Sweater, $398 Relaxed Fit Striped Cotton Shirt, $168 Double-Breasted Cotton Sweater Jacket, $185 Striped End-on-End Cotton Shirtdress, $140 Short-Sleeve Henley Sweater, $168 Linen-Blend Twill Field Jacket, $245 East Coast Energy Some aesthetics come and go. The Nantucket aesthetic has managed to stick around because it was never built around trends in the first place. It grew out of a place where quality mattered, getting dressed was uncomplicated, and classic pieces were meant to be worn for years, not replaced every season. That's what makes the look so appealing today. While fashion is constantly reinventing itself , there's something refreshing about returning to timeless silhouettes, natural fabrics, and a wardrobe that feels just as relevant now as it did decades ago. If you're looking to build a closet you'll still love years from now, there's no better place to start than with a little New England inspiration.