When it comes to planned communities, often it is non-local real estate developers and building investors who make the decisions on how the neighborhood will feel and what will be featured within it. Something different, something very special happened to Seaside, FL along 30A, and part of it led to the creation of The Seaside Style, a popular apparel shop and the official lifestyle brand for the neighborly beachfront town of Seaside, Florida.
In 1978, one Robert Davis inherited a large parcel of family property from his grandfather, who had envisioned an incredible summer retreat for his family and descendants. But instead of keeping that property within the family, the young Robert Davis sought to transform it into a whimsical, old-fashioned beach town that many could enjoy and share in. He started planning and designing a porch-sitting, beach-strolling community that would become Seaside, FL. Meanwhile, his wife, Daryl Davis sought ways to spur interest in the burgeoning community. Her work started with Saturday Markets and the very beginning of what would become The Seaside Style.
Daryl Davis would later start amassing an outstanding collection of beach-inspired apparel. She sold first at those aforementioned farmers markets and other community events. Later, she started selling through the mix of retail shops popping up in the growing community of Seaside, eventually opening up some of those retail shops on her own. Then, in 2017, Daryl Davis opened up The Seaside Style in the former Pizitz Home & Cottage across from the centralized Seaside Amphitheater.
Brick and mortar The Seaside Style was opened with the intention of it becoming a flagship store for the brand itself. This location features the “Best of the Best” from all of the previous incarnations, pop-up shops and physical locations alike, of the brand. So if you are already familiar with The Seaside Style, then stepping into the location off of 30A will itself feel familiar for you. In addition to popular Seaside apparel, you will also see products sourced from local vendors and craftsmen, including pottery from Alex Marshall and furniture from Lee Industries.
If you’re not familiar with The Seaside Style, either the brand or any of their stores, then what you can expect when you step into this store is that you will be surrounded by quintessential laid-back beachwear. Seaside, after all, prides itself on being a laid-back, porch-sitting kind of community. Clothing and here is clothing that puts comfort at the forefront but also does so with style. What does this mean? This means a lot of loose-fitting t-shirts and long-sleeve shirts, most of which are sold with beach and Florida-related prints on the front or back.
In addition to apparel, The Seaside Style sells an array of household items, beach necessities, and pet-related gear. In fact, pet gear and items branded with dogs (more specifically dachshunds) are popular here because of the popularity of Robert and Daryl Davis’s pet dachshund, Bud, who was a common sight during those early days of Seaside and The Seaside Style.
In summary, The Seaside Style has a lot of unique things going for it, including its ties to the history of the city of Seaside itself and the simple beauty of a soft, well-fit t-shirt. However, at its heart, this store sells beach gear with a brand — which you can translate as you paying a surcharge for the name. That’s a surcharge not everyone will want to pay, but well worth it if you are looking for popular and quality-made items to take home and remember your vacation by.
Insider Tip:
Parking near the store’s front won’t be easy most days. This business is located in an incredibly popular part of Seaside and what exists for street parking is closely packed together. We recommend parking further away, either along 30A or just off of it, and walking up to the shop to prevent the headache of navigating the tight, almost alleyway-like street in front of The Seaside Style.