Looking for breezy dresses, linen sets, and effortless pieces that feel at home by the shore? Coastal wear often leans on breathable natural fibers like linen and cotton—both valued for comfort in warm weather—making them ideal for beach towns and sunny getaways (see Britannica on linen and cotton: https://www.britannica.com/topic/linen-textile, https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre). If you’ll be outdoors, consider UPF-rated clothing and cover-ups; sun-protective fabrics can reduce UV exposure, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation (https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/clothing/).
Below, discover 15 reliable places—mixing local boutiques and online destinations—to build your women’s coastal wardrobe.
1. Lilly Pulitzer — Bright Resort Classics
- What you’ll find: Signature prints, easy dresses, cover-ups, and seaside accessories.
- Best for: Vacation-ready looks with a polished resort vibe.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://www.lillypulitzer.com/store-locator/ | Online: https://www.lillypulitzer.com/
2. Tommy Bahama — Island-Inspired Staples
- What you’ll find: Breezy dresses, linen shirts, swim, and raffia accessories.
- Best for: Relaxed coastal pieces that work from brunch to beach.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://www.tommybahama.com/stores | Online: https://www.tommybahama.com/
3. Faherty — Elevated Beachy Essentials
- What you’ll find: Linen blends, airy knitwear, coastal prints, lightweight layers.
- Best for: Premium fabrics and timeless, beach-to-town silhouettes.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://fahertybrand.com/pages/stores | Online: https://fahertybrand.com/
4. Vineyard Vines — Preppy Coastal Vibes
- What you’ll find: Striped knits, easy dresses, quarter-zips, seaside accessories.
- Best for: New England–inspired coastal looks.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://www.vineyardvines.com/stores | Online: https://www.vineyardvines.com/
5. J.Crew — Effortless Linen and Nautical Stripes
- What you’ll find: Linen shirts and shorts, Breton stripes, slip dresses, beach totes.
- Best for: Mix-and-match coastal basics that dress up or down.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://stores.jcrew.com/ | Online: https://www.jcrew.com/
6. Anthropologie — Boho-Resort Dresses and Sets
- What you’ll find: Flowing dresses, embroidered sets, straw hats and bags.
- Best for: Romantic, artsy coastal outfits that travel well.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://www.anthropologie.com/stores | Online: https://www.anthropologie.com/
7. Everything But Water — Swim & Resortwear Specialist
- What you’ll find: Swimsuits, cover-ups, resort dresses, beach accessories.
- Best for: One-stop swim-and-resort outfitting with wide brand variety.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://www.everythingbutwater.com/stores | Online: https://www.everythingbutwater.com/
8. Nordstrom — Curated Coastal Brands in One Place
- What you’ll find: Swim, resort dresses, sandals, straw bags from multiple labels.
- Best for: Trying different fits and styles under one roof.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://www.nordstrom.com/store-locator | Online: https://www.nordstrom.com/
9. Madewell — Easy Breezy Separates
- What you’ll find: Linen-blend sets, oversized shirts, soft denim, woven accessories.
- Best for: Casual coastal capsules built on versatile staples.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://locations.madewell.com/ | Online: https://www.madewell.com/
10. Roxy — Surf-Girl Swim and Athleisure
- What you’ll find: Swimsuits, surf-ready rash guards, relaxed shorts and tees.
- Best for: Sporty coastal days and active beach trips.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://www.roxy.com/store-locator/ | Online: https://www.roxy.com/
11. Billabong — Laid-Back Surf Staples
- What you’ll find: Swim, cover-ups, coastal knits, beach pants, graphic tees.
- Best for: Casual, surf-inspired looks that pack easily.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://www.billabong.com/store-locator/ | Online: https://www.billabong.com/
12. Southern Tide — Southern-Coastal Preppy
- What you’ll find: Polished dresses, breathable tops, nautical accessories.
- Best for: Classic coastal outfits with a Southern twist.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://southerntide.com/pages/store-locator | Online: https://southerntide.com/
13. Salt Life — Everyday Seaside Lifestyle
- What you’ll find: Graphic tees, performance tops, hats, active and casual beachwear.
- Best for: Sporty, boat-day basics and sun-ready layers.
- Where to shop: Store locator: https://www.saltlife.com/stores | Online: https://www.saltlife.com/
14. Local Independent Beach Boutiques — Discover Hidden Gems
- What you’ll find: Curated resort brands, artisan jewelry, unique cover-ups and accessories.
- Best for: Distinctive finds and personalized styling near coastal towns.
- How to find: Try Google Maps (https://maps.google.com) and Yelp (https://www.yelp.com) searches like “coastal boutique,” “resort wear,” “swim shop,” or “surf shop” plus your city.
15. Shopbop — Designer Coastal Edits Online
- What you’ll find: Resort dresses, linen sets, raffia accessories, sandals from top brands.
- Best for: Fast, fashion-forward online shopping with broad selection.
- Where to shop: Online: https://www.shopbop.com/
Quick buying tips before you check out:
- Favor breathable fabrics: Linen and cotton are popular for warm-weather comfort (sources: Britannica on linen and cotton—https://www.britannica.com/topic/linen-textile, https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre).
- Add sun-smart layers: UPF-rated cover-ups, rash guards, and hats can help reduce UV exposure (The Skin Cancer Foundation: https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/clothing/).
Whether you drop into a local beach boutique or scroll a curated online edit, these destinations make it easy to build a coastal wardrobe that moves from shore to supper—no suitcase overthinking required.