While many of the trends that have popped up on our feeds have faded into oblivion with equal swiftness, the Mermaid Style aesthetic remains unforgettable. It’s like we’ve all been possessed by their siren song, and I for one don’t mind it one bit.
Who wouldn’t want to be transported to this siren-filled style inspiration with long floaty hair, soft pearls, and soft irridescent shimmer?
The Mermaid Core aesthetic is even more popular nowadays, gaining a wider fanbase thanks to the momentum generated by the buzz surrounding the newest The Little Mermaid.
I want to dig into this aesthetic and show you how you can pursue this look if it resonates with your style POV.
Style trends and aesthetics are great for exploring your own unique style expression, and can offer you new style input. Whether your dream style is mermaid core or not, you may find certain elements or style priorities that help shape you on your personal style journey.
So let’s dive in. Pun 100% intended.
We may earn a commission from you clicking a link below. And as an amazon associate, we earn on qualifying purchases. Full affiliate policy, here.
What Is the Mermaid Core Style Aesthetic?
Mermaid Core is a unique aesthetic that draws inspiration from anything sea-related. Its primary muse is the mythical creature, but it also incorporates themes of shells, waves, scales, iridescence, and more broadly sea and coastal nature.
The Mermaid Core trend hailed from TikTok (or rather was popularized on Tiktok), like every other core we recently witnessed, and has taken off immensely. However, as we’ll explain later, 2023/2024 isn’t the true birth year of the Mermaid Style aesthetic.
However, it was since that year that the trend saw a strong revival. More and more fans who are eager to embrace the magical nature of the ocean, its legends, and all its contents are adopting this fashion aesthetic.
Let’s talk about some common themes found in the modern mermaid aesthetic, as well as where it came from.
It’s Drowning in Oceanic Themes
As mentioned above, the Mermaid Core has the mythical creature; the mermaid or siren, at its heart. That’s where the primary elements such as the two-piece design of clothing, the iconic shape of the skirt, and the long, flowy hairstyle come from.
The Mermaid Core aesthetic is brimming with oceanic themes that manifest in the style’s colors, patterns, and fabrics that are used to create clothing articles, accessories, makeup, and even home decor. Remember to look at multiple inspirations to take this trend and customize it to your unique style POV.
For example, we have a massive palette of blue, yellow, purple, and green shades reminiscent of the colors of the water, sand, reef, and seaweed.
The shapes of shells, starfish, waves, nets, pearls, bubbles, and many more are also widely incorporated into this aesthetic.
However, maybe you prefer a more moodier vibe so you integrate it with “sea witch” vibes. Finding your unique style interpretation is all about experimentation plus customization.
It’s wonderful when you can expand past the initial inspiration and find a 360-degree view of the aesthetic.
Mermaid Core IRL
So not every trend or style aesthetic seamlessly translates into various facets of your life. But, luckily, the mermaid core trend can be easily adapted for all body types and lifestyle needs.
Now, of course, more formal events might have a more obvious interpretation, but pulling a trend through to your yoga outfit, your casual mom-on-duty outfit and your corporate lunch can all be done!
Here are some ideas:
Where Did the Mermaid Core Style Aesthetic Come From?
We can trace the Mermaid Core trend back to the 1930s. So, we can safely assume this “trend” isn’t going anywhere.
Marcel Rochas, the French fashion pioneer, is attributed as the original creator of the “mermaid silhouette dress” back in the 1930’s. It was elegant and refined and while the shape was inspired by mermaids, it had a more sophisticated, classic feel.
But he wasn’t the only one taking inspiration from the mermaid lore, Madeleine Vionnet also was inspired by them. She embraced not only mermaid shapes, but also iridescence, draping, and a feeling like the fabric is being poured over the body like water. This interpretation is even more closely linked to how we view the mermaid trend today.
Today’s mermaid core trends seem to lean more towards whimsical and fantasy-driven interpretations. Whereas in past decades it felt more subtle and integrated in more classic iterations. So whether you want to go full-blown mermaid with pearls woven into your beach waves, or you just want a subtle nod to the enchanting concept, is something you should decide before building your outfit.
How To Achieve the Mermaid Core Style Aesthetic
Fashion-wise, embracing the Mermaid Core aesthetic is a multi-aspect mission. It involves choosing the right fabric, designs, colors, patterns, and makeup techniques to deliver a truly oceanic look. But it may take some experimentation to find which of these elements harmonize with your vision.
If you need some guidance, take a look at your daily style outfits photos and evaluate what accessories or silhouettes you might already be implementing that could align with mermaid vibes. And start expanding your style creativity from there.
Let’s dive into each of these elements to understand how you can achieve siren-level aesthetics. Now these are just baseline suggestions to give you an idea of where to start. Your best mermaid look will be when you learn these guidelines and customize them.
Fabric and Detailing
The essence of the Mermaid Core style in any outfit begins with the choice of fabric.
Breezy chiffon, iridescent textiles, holographic stones, and shimmery sequins are all deserving of the aesthetic as they capture the glittering of a mermaid’s scales and her flowy movement across the water.
But because mermaid core has been a more prevailing trend, we have seen many different interpretations and variations. So don’t be afraid to dive into something like a sea witch meets mermaid core or even coastal grandma meets mermaid core.
These unique combinations are what help you build your own style recipe.
Fabrics with “scale-like” textures or prints, gradient colors, cascading ruffles, and flowy movement all work beautifully for this trend.
Mermaid Color Palettes
Mermaid Core is all about ethereal and magical colors that represent the ocean and the mesmerizing tail of a mermaid. Think of shades of blue, green, purple, yellow, silver, pink, and white.
Colors tend to include a wide variation of color qualities depending on the inspirations. We see muted cool tones, muted light palettes, bright palettes, and more.
Iridescent colors or blended color techniques can also help you translate this trend into your daily style.
Mermaid Design and Silhouette
Flowing designs, softly-fitted silhouettes, and any design elements that root in the sea or sirens are usually great starting points.
You can combine the two concepts in a maxi dress with flares, an off-shoulder top with an A-line skirt, and a blouse with cascading ruffles with a wide-legged bottom are all valid options. But don’t box yourself into just those more traditional examples.
If we think about the standard mermaid portrayal she usually has a seashell-bra top and a longer fitted “mermaid-shape” tail that has been translated into a popular skirt style.
But you don’t have to be so direct with your inspirations. Here’s where it’s great to infuse your energy or your interpretation of how mermaid style can be customized.
If you love Mermaid core but also love the Coquette style trend maybe you come up with an outfit like this:
Don’t be afraid to bend the rules and see how you can stretch your fashion expression.
Mermaid Style Accessories
The right accessories for a Mermaid Core look are also inspired by the sea. Pearls are the go-to option, followed by seashells, vintage rings, shimmery hair accessories, and gold/silver stacked necklaces or bracelets.
There are so many accessories you can try for this look and it can be an easy way to add a touch of mermaid to a more casual look.
Mermaid Hair Ideas
You can never go wrong with some beach waves for your Mermaid Core hairstyle. This is as easy as sleeping in braids or just letting your natural curls run free.
But it’s helpful to look at the progression of the mermaid over time for a more broad inspiration. I think there are some beautiful retro hairstyles that could work nicely for this trend. As well as the slicked-back “wet-look” hairstyle.
If you like to dye your hair, mermaid colors or gradient hair dye techniques can add a more long-term mermaid look to your vibe.
Mermaid Makeup Ideas
As for makeup, the secret sauce is to use soft/shimmery colors and be generous with the glow. Combine shimmery eyeshadow, and lots of highlighter and glossy lips for a dewy finish — and don’t be afraid to throw in some pearlescent accents!
For application we want it to be soft, free of any harsh outlines or linear elements. That doesn’t mean it can’t be bold or colorful, just that it should feel blended.
Is this a passing interest or a deeply ingrained style inspiration?
In my YouTube video all about Dream Style and integrating your fantasy style into your style POV, I talk about determining whether or not the inspiration is a crush (passing interest) or a deeply ingrained style inspiration.
Determining this when pursuing any fashion trend is important. We want to know how much effort and style budget we are dedicating to achieving this look, and how much effort we should spend deep diving into the concept.
Mermaid aesthetics can take so many different routes and be mixed with a slew of other aesthetics to further customize your interests. But, I suggest stretching your creativity before purchasing anything new for this trend. See where in your closet you can make mermaid core come alive, even if it’s not exactly what I suggested in this article.
Consider watching the dream style video and filling out the free worksheets as well, especially if mermaid core or some elements of this style might be integral to your long-term style vision.
Kibbe + Mermaid Aesthetic
So, a lot of people love the Kibbe Image Identity System and want to see examples of how to integrate it with newer trends or style aesthetics like this one. So while I want to provide examples that are helpful to you, I also want to be respectful to David Kibbe and his vision.
His goal (as far as I understand it) is for you to find your own “star image” and use his guidelines to help achieve your truest personal style and Metamorphosis. And if you want to learn more about his system, I recommend you hear it directly from him.
These are just general ideas that I think follow the basic principles for each image identity and vibe. They are certainly not the only interpretation and just because I put one dress for “dramatic” doesn’t mean another id couldn’t wear it as well. I tried to create different head-to-toe looks that incorporate the basic energies of each image identity with this mermaid aesthetic.
Is it exactly what David Kibbe would recommend? Nope. So take these examples with a grain of salt, and not that I am identifying as a “kibbe-stylist”. You can even ignore each nomenclature and just focus on how the outfit still “vibes” with many different interpretations of the mermaid look.
You’re now fully equipped to unleash your inner siren with the Mermaid Core aesthetic!
So go sing your siren song, and enchant the world with this ethereal trend.
