From Dock to Drops: The Story Behind Retro Prep

How We Dream Up Our Collections ✨

Retro Prep, straight from the docks

At Coco Kimono, we don’t just “pick clothes.” We curate a vibe. Every collection begins with a spark—an image, a place, or a feeling—and then grows into something you can wear, shop, and live in. Our newest drop, Retro Prep, is one of those collections that almost built itself.

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Inspiration Hides in Weird Places (Like a Marina)

For most people, Hochstrasser’s Marina is just a local docking spot. A few weathered boats. Grass growing up through the boards. The kind of place you pass without thinking twice.

But for coco, it sparked something. She’s docked her boat here for years, and it’s always been a quiet backdrop to summer life on Long Beach Island. One day, while walking the docks, she realized just how special it really was. The sun hitting the bay just right. The old boats sinking into the grass, becoming part of the earth. The retro charm that felt straight out of a 70’s summer.

That’s when the idea hit: what if we shot our next collection here?

From Dockside Vibes → Retro Prep

Back at the store, we started pulling pieces that matched the mood of the marina. Striped knits. Collared sweaters. Retro dresses with a preppy twist.

The color palette revealed itself instantly: buttery yellows, sailor blues, creamy neutrals, and rich browns. Nostalgic but modern. Retro, but still effortlessly wearable. The kind of look that would feel at home on a dock at golden hour—or in your closet right now.

And just like that, the collection had a name: Retro Prep.

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The Mood Board That Started It All 📌

Every Coco Kimono collection starts with a vision board. For this collection, it was a mashup of:

• Records spinning on turntables
• Stripes on stripes (because why stop at one?)
• Sailboats drifting across calm bays
• Wildflowers in earthy tones
• Old phone booths + travel suitcases
• Vintage buggies and classic cars
• 70’s muses in high-waisted denim and oversized sunnies

Looking at it felt like flipping through a scrapbook of memories you half remember and half dreamt. That’s exactly the feeling we wanted the collection to capture.

Back to the Docks: Bringing the Vision to Life

Of course, the only place to bring this vision to live was Hochstrasser’s itself. The same docks that inspired the collection became the backdrop for the lookbook.

We took our time moving through the marina, letting each corner set the scene. Dock D’s weathered sign became a natural marker for the collection, while the bay behind the docks gave us that glowing, late-afternoon backdrop you can’t fake. Some boats stood tall, chipped and textured, adding character to the shots. Others faded quietly into the landscape, grass curling around their edges—a reminder that time on LBI has its own rhythm, and our clothes slipped right into it.

It wasn’t a polished studio shoot, but that was the beauty of it. Every shot carried texture, nostalgia, and a little bit of LBI history.

The Countdown To Retro Prep Is On ⏳

The collection officially drops next week, and we couldn’t be more excited for you to see it. From coco's marina to the racks in our store, every detail of this edit is woven with retro nostalgia and preppy charm.

We love sharing the behind-the-scenes chaos—because it’s real, it’s messy, and it’s what makes Coco Kimono feel alive. And if you’re looking for a little inspo for your own creative spark, here’s where to start:

• Mood boards cost nothing. Grab a stack of magazines, scroll Pinterest, or just pull from your camera roll.
• Look at your everyday surroundings differently. A dock, a diner, a flower stand—anywhere can be your muse.
• Let the clothes talk. Sometimes the pieces already hanging in your closet are waiting for the right story.
• Forget chasing trends. Collections can simply be about creating your own narrative. That’s where the magic happens.

Until then, we’ll be teasing sneak peeks on socials—snippets of the shoot, snapshots of the mood board, and dockside dreams that give you a taste of what’s to come.

Because at Coco Kimono, every collection is more than just clothes. It’s a story. A memory. A vibe you get to wear. And this one? It’s pure Retro Prep.