Sew a Coastal Preppy Wardrobe for Fall with Sew Mary Mac

Love Notions 40% off ALL Patterns and Courses this week 10/2-10/6

This week, October 2-6, 2023, all Love Notions patterns and courses will be 40% off! This doesn’t happen very often, so I highly suggest grabbing any patterns and courses you really want to sew up soon! You can use my code LOVEMARY10 which will give you an additional 10% off the sale prices. I will also be giving away one Love Notions pattern to one of my blog readers. Make sure you read to the end to learn how you can enter! (GIVEAWAY ENDED)

The “Coastal Grandma” aesthetic has been getting a lot of attention the past year or so. This is mainly due to a TikTok trend. But, where I live (and where my family is from) ~ it’s been around for a long time and it’s always how we dress!

For the Spring Sale last May, I wrote up a blog post on this trend and talked about how I created a “Coastal Preppy” wardrobe with Love Notions patterns.  For this Fall sale, I decided to share how I was going to be using Love Notions pattern for my Fall Coastal Preppy wardrobe. I had hoped to have more garments sewn up to show, but in September we are away quite a bit. Living by the coast, it’s always the best time to enjoy the some of our favorite places that are often very crowded in the Summer months. (Block Island always calls to me in September). So, in this blog post you’ll get to see a few older makes along with a few new makes and some pattern/fabric match-ups that I’ve picked out.

Before I get into which patterns I’ve used and plan on using, let’s review some basics such as color, prints/patterns, fabrics and accessories.

Colors:  The Coastal Grandma trend is filled with neutral colors like white, cream, khaki and navy. To make it “Coastal Preppy” we just add a bit of color sometimes. But not just any color, adding pink, red, turquoise and Kelly green will certainly make your makes preppier! For Fall we add darker more muted shades of pinks/reds and greens. Yes, Coastal Preppy Grandmas wear pink all year. (and so does Barbie!)

Print/Patterns: 

• Stripes~Adding a classic stripe will instantly make any outfit preppier. Navy and white stripes especially! Pinstripes for classic shirts are always a good choice.
• Gingham~ such a classic, and always has a place in a coastal preppy outfit!
• Madras Plaids~ you can’t go wrong with a classic madras( especially for a skirt or pair of pants paired with a white button down shirt and a blazer.
• Color blocking~ a very preppy thing to do (and one that I love!)

Fabrics: Natural fibers are the way to go here! Linens, denims and chambray are most popular. Linen can still be worn all Fall. Add in some corduroy, wool and flannel and you’ll be right on trend.

Accessories: A boat tote is timeless~ think of the totes you see at L.L. Bean and Land’s End. Leather tote bags are great for Fall. As for shoes, loafers are always a popular choice. This year you’ll see retro sneakers everywhere and they fit in perfectly with a coastal wardrobe. My favorites are New Balance 237’s. I have them in several color combinations. The retro Tretorns are good too!!

Love Notions Patterns I’m Using for My Coastal Preppy Wardrobe This Fall

1. Aria Button Down

If you can only pick one pattern, then it has to be the Aria button down. A classic button down is always a staple in any coastal preppy wardrobe. Worn open over a turtleneck or long sleeved tee is such a classic coastal thing to do! It can also be worn under a cardigan or blazer. In the NorthEast we have our “Indian summer” in October or November(sometimes both!). The days can get warm but as soon as the sun goes behind a cloud or begins to go down~ it get’s really chilly! Dressing in layers is always the key and the Aria makes it so easy to do!!

My newest Aria is this one I made just for this blog post! This is a washed corduroy from Stylemaker Fabrics. It is just so soft and I can’t wait to start wearing it! I highly recommend this fabric~ and I just might need to grab this is another colorway!

Nervous about sewing a button down shirt? No need to be! There is an awesome sewing course you can purchase that holds your hand every step of the way. The 40% sale include all the sewing courses too!!  You can find the Aria Course HERE.

I did make one modification to this Aria, instead of making the tower placket I made a continuous lap for the sleeve. I chose to sew the continuous lap for this fabric since it didn’t hold a press very well. A continuous lap is more subtle and not as visible(this makes it a good choice for a dressier Aria). I love tower plackets, but feel they work best with fabrics that are crisp and hold a press well. You can find directions for sewing a continuous lap on You Tube. Simply search Google.

In cooler weather my most worn Aria is this pink plaid Robert Kaufman Mammoth Flannel which fits into my Coastal Preppy wardrobe perfectly! It is a heavier weight flannel and so comfy, which is why I have another piece of Mammoth flannel for another one. I love wearing this open with a t-shirt underneath or layered with an Oakley Vest. These flannels are available in several online fabric shops such as Raspberry Creek Fabrics, Surge Fabrics and Stylemaker Fabrics.

I have a few more Arias planned for this Fall/Winter. The tan corduroy, pink and blue plaid Mammoth Flannel and Plaid seersucker pictured below are on my cutting table. Be sure to check back, as I will post photos of them when completed.

This chambray Aria is probably my most worn Aria of all!! This is a linen rayon blend chambray and really is perfect for all seasons! It made its first appearance in my Spring Coastal Preppy Wardrobe~ but clearly it is getting worn year round! I simply pair it with black leggings or joggers and sneakers.

I’ve also used the Aria pattern to make a vest for Fall and Winter. This 100% wool plaid vest gets a lot of wear. I made a few modifications to the Aria to create this vest. I also made this Fall “jacket” from a designer deadstock linen. I added lower lined pockets to both of these makes. I promise I will have a blog post up on these this month. So subscribe to my blog now and you will get notified every time I post a new blog post.

To read all about the Aria, and how I adjust it to fit my petite pear shape, visit this blog post.

You can grab the Aria pattern HERE.

2. Oakley Vest

The Oakley vest is the perfect layering piece for Fall (and Winter too)! Plus, you can’t dress preppy without a few vests in your closet! I love wearing mine over Arias and Constellations. Sloanes and Rockford raglans work really nice under the Oakley as well. The Oakley is also perfect underneath your jackets for added warmth without adding bulkiness in the sleeves.

I wore my pink fleece and sweater knit Oakleys so much last year that I knew I would need a few more. The first few cool days last month I grabbed my fleece Oakley immediately. On Block Island in September, I wore my pink fleece Oakley on the ferry over to the island and well as on one of the cooler days over my swim knit Constellation. Just last week, I grabbed my ivory sweater knit Oakley for a day at the Holland Ridge Flower Farm.

So of course my sewing queue includes fleece and quilted knit Oakleys. Stay tuned to see them!!

Read all about the Oakley Vest on this blog post. There you will find all the details on how I modified my pockets and collar(ivory sweater knit version).

You can grab the Oakley Vest pattern HERE.

3. “Compose Cardigan”

Cardigans are always part of a Coastal preppy wardrobe. They are simply perfect for layering!

Don’t get me wrong I LOVE my Boyfriend cardigans. Since that pattern isn’t designed to meet at the center front, I find myself a tad uncomfortable at the moment. (Thanks vacation weight!) Cardigans are always great when you are between sizes since they are forgiving~ I just need a little more room right now. So, I often take my Compose Robe pattern and turn it into the perfect cardigan for me. This is also a great option is the knit you are working with doesn’t have enough stretch for other cardigan patterns. The Compose Robe pattern can be made in wovens or knits.

This pattern hack was perfect for this Italian Boucle that I purchased in the NYC Garment district last year when I went to meet up with my daughters on my birthday. This year for my birthday (just last week), I went back to visit Kashi at Metro Textiles wearing my Italian Boucle cardigan. This fabric did not have enough horizontal stretch for the Boyfriend ~ so the Compose was perfect! For this version I narrowed the sleeve and cropped it. After wearing it all day long in the city the boucle did seem to “grow” in length. I’m deciding now if I want to shorten it. I can’t wait to wear this in the Spring and Summer too with a white linen blouse underneath. I am wearing it above with a navy rib Rockford Raglan.

Below on the left, you can see my first version made from a brushed sweater knit. This version has cuffs added to it. On the left is the camel ribbed sweater knit that is in progress.

You can grab the Compose Robe pattern HERE.

You can read all about the Compose Robe pattern here.

For info on the modifications I made, read this blog post

4. Metra Blazer

What can be preppier than a blazer? The casual Metra blazer fits perfectly into my Coastal wardrobe. Sewn up with the shawl collar it is classic yet more casual than a traditional blazer. Did I mention it’s also a quick and fun sew?!?!

I love this Camel Houndstooth double knit version I made last year. It gets worn quite often. My Fall plans for the Metra include a classic navy blue ponte knit and camel stable knit versions. This is another pattern that is great for layering. I’m already thinking ahead and plan to make a bright pink ponte knit version for Spring!

Grab the Metra Blazer pattern HERE.

There is a sewing course available for the Metra Blazer HERE.

Read all about how I adjusted the pattern to my body shape and some sewing tips over at this blog post.

5. Presto Tunic

Quite honestly is there anything preppier than a tunic? Yes, a tunic made in navy blue gingham!! Every Coastal Preppy wardrobe is going to have to include a few classic tunics!  The Presto is a great choice for wovens. Plaids, ginghams, chambray and lightweight denim are all good choices!

This Navy blue gingham version is a brushed cotton twill. It’s perfect for Fall weather and will also work for the beginning of spring!

Grab the Presto Tunic pattern HERE.

For more details on the Presto Tunic and a few tips and tricks, visit this blog post.

Read this blog post to see how the Presto looks sewn up in different fabrics.

Additional Patterns

The 5 patterns listed above and ones that came to my mind first when I thought of creating this list.

There are also several others that would work well for a Fall Coastal Preppy wardrobe.. Below are some more ideas!

• Constellation Pullover~ seen above with my Oakley vest
• Boyfriend Cardigan~ a classic navy or neutral color would be perfect
• Lincoln Top with Boatneck~ made in nautical stripes with anchor buttons!

Both of these makes were included in my Spring Coastal Preppy Blog~ but they work equally as well for Fall!

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You can read my Spring Coastal Preppy Blog Post HERE. Of course, I did use some of the same patterns featured on this blog post.

You can check out my personal top 5 Love Notions patterns HERE. Note there might be some overlap on these lists.

Want to get the most bang for your buck?  Check out this blog post to find out which Love Notions patterns give you the most bang for your buck.

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Thanks for stopping by! I truly appreciate all of you that visit!  If you enjoyed this blog post, consider subscribing to my blog to stay up to date with all my posts!  

Mary Anne 🙂

Remember to follow me over on Instagram to see all my latest makes!  @sewmarymac

You can also follow my Facebook Page~ Sew Mary Mac. On this page you will find information on my makes from all pattern companies. If I know of any good sales(pattern or fabric) I will also feature this information. I have had many of my loyal followers send me friend requests on Facebook. I do post in the Love Notions group under Mary Anne MacLean, however this Facebook account is private. There is no sewing content on that Facebook Account.

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You can purchase all Love Notions patterns HERE.

This is an affiliate link. It costs you nothing to purchase from this link, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.

To receive an additional 10% off the pattern price, use this coupon code 10MARYMAC. This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern….even a $5 Feature Friday pattern. And YES, this code can be used during this 40% off sale!! My code does change quarterly, so please always check the newest blog post for an update if you find a code isn’t working. This code is good until 12/31/2023.

How To Win A Love Notions Pattern From Me! ~ GIVEAWAY ENDED

So if you’ve read this far, you must really want a chance to win a free pattern! To enter my giveaway for a free pattern, make sure to do the following:

• Visit my Facebook Page ~ Sew Mary Mac. Simply type that into the Facebook search bar.
• Find my free pattern giveaway post.
• Comment on this Facebook post what your favorite Sew Mary Mac Blog Post is.

Winner will be chosen on Friday, October 6, 2023. Winner will be asked for their email address so that I can pass it on to Tami (of Love Notions) who will be giving you your free pattern code.

 I am currently a Love Notions Ambassador. I am given access to all new patterns for free. I purchased most of the patterns above on my own before becoming an ambassador. As always all opinions are my own.