Okay, I admit I’d never heard the term “granola girl” until I joined TikTok last year.
But it turns out I’ve been a granola girl for years without even knowing it!
In college I was president of the environmental club (with the cheesy name “OUr Earth,” because the school was OU) and I spent hours lobbying the school to install more recycling bins.
I wore Chacos and Birkenstocks, led camping and hiking trips, listened to Fleetwood Mac before TikTok made it top the charts again, and was never far from my reusable water bottle plastered with colorful stickers.
Today I live in Colorado and I hike like it’s my job (because as an outdoor content creator, it kind of is!) I love thrifting and plants and yoga, and I spend several months of the year living out of my Subaru while visiting National Parks with my dog.
I don’t like eating granola, but I’m 100% a granola girl.
Girls have started messaging me asking where I buy my clothes, because the “granola girl aesthetic” is in right now. I’ve never considered myself fashionable, but here are a few pieces I’d consider the “granola girl starter pack.”
1. A trusty beanie
In winter, this Carharrt beanie is basically glued to my head.
Pro tip: if you have a small head like I do, get the kid’s size! It’s half the price of the adult version and still fits great on me, a 5’2″ adult woman.
2. A colorful printed fleece
Patagonia is a popular and eco-conscious brand with cozy fleeces that will last for many seasons of camping trips. (Need a new book? The Patagonia founder’s Let My People Go Surfing is a fabulous read.)
Check out Patagonia’s WornWear sit for quality used options, including some amazing vintage styles.
3. A great pair of overalls
Dovetail Workwear makes my favorite pair of functional-yet-fashionable overalls, perfect for road trips or just lounging around at home.
Carharrt has a cute (and cheaper) pair, too.
4. An oversized plaid shacket
Shackets make you look like you should be outside chopping wood, or curled up around a campfire blazing with the wood you just chopped. Pairs great with a cropped tank underneath and a statement hat.
5. Blundstones
Blundstones, affectionately known as Blundies, are a rugged, waterproof Australian brand beloved by outdoorsy folks for decades. They look great with overalls, jeans, or hiking leggings.
6. A bunch of bracelets
The more bracelets, the better! Pura Vida’s wax-coated rope bracelets are super popular, but even better if they’re friendship bracelets you made yourself at camp.
7. And while you’re at it, a bunch of rings
Granola girls are known for their impressive ring collections, too, especially chunky silver ones. I love this cactus one!
8. Birkenstocks
Pair these with linen pants or overalls for a cute laid-back look. For maximum granola, wear your ‘stocks with socks!
9. An oversized corduroy shirt
Like the oversized shacket, you can add your corduroy shirt to jeans and boots and instantly be ready for a bonfire.
10. Chacos
Want to look like you could raft the Colorado River at any minute? Grab yourself a pair of Chacos. A Chaco tan is a sure sign of a great summer.
11. Anything thrifted
Being a granola girl is all about being eco-friendly, so thrifting is your best bet for any of these items!
Places to shop: eBay, ThredUp, Poshmark, and your local thrift store.
Things to look for: vintage band t-shirts, oversized flannels and shackets, vintage sweaters with unique patterns, vintage Levi’s, reusable water bottles and glassware…you can find almost anything used, which is better for your pocketbook AND for the planet.
12. Boho fabric headbands & bandandas
Nothing says granola girl like a headband, ideally with braids underneath. I love the yellow one above! You can also find great handmade bandanas and headbands on Etsy.
13. A reusable water bottle covered in stickers
HydroFlask is great for everyday use to keep water super-duper cold, while the lighter reusable Nalgene is better for camping and hiking.
(Pro tip: on cold nights in the tent, you can use your Nalgene as a hot water bottle! Just fill it with near-boiling water before bedtime and toss it inside your sleeping bag.)
Most granola girl water bottles are plastered with stickers, like one for each of your favorite National Parks. I love trawling Etsy for unique stickers to swap with friends.
14. Linen overalls
IknowIknow, I listed overalls twice! But linen overalls are the softer, cozier, more relaxed version of the workman-style overalls above.
15. A pair of boyfriend jeans
A loose-fitting, well-loved pair of jeans is another granola girl staple. Levi’s are a tried-and-true option.
16. Graphic band tees
For the grungy-granola girl, vintage band tees (or at least tees that look like they could be vintage) are great.
What granola girl must-haves did I miss? Let me know!
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