The Mermaid Aesthetic Is Already Ruling Summer 2023
One fashion director shares how to wear it now and later.
By HALIE LESAVAGE - published
Photo: Getty Images
The Mermaid Aesthetic Is Already Ruling Summer 2023
Last year, Bloomingdale's ready-to-wear fashion director, Arielle Siboni, noticed a recurrent theme as she bounced from resort 2023 market appointment to resort 2023 market appointment. All the clothes she wanted to own most looked like the dress code for a party under the sea. So she began putting her favourite pieces—a floor-length gown here, a shell-adorned top there—on her Instagram stories and tagging them "mermaidcore."
Related article: The 26 Best Spring 2023 Dresses That Feel As Good As They Look
A look from Versace Spring/Summer 2021.
Photo: Getty Images
A look from New Arrivals Resort 2023.
Photo: NEW ARRIVALS
"I feel like we're always looking for a new resort trend, especially since everyone is going on vacation again, and Instagram is a huge part of that," Siboni tells BAZAAR.com. Mermaidcore is the maritime resort trend that's "taken on a life of its own," she says.
The mermaidcore spectrum ranges from lightly nautical to full-on Aquamarine, depending on the designer. Siboni's checklist for the aesthetic includes all-day pearl jewelry pieces and crochet separates, plus more evening-oriented column dresses decked in sequins. And because designers can't resist a literal interpretation, fishtail dresses are also in the mix. Translated into Internet speak, "It's almost the opposite of coastal grandma, which is more relaxed and linen based," Siboni says.
The first glimpse of what would become mermaidcore, according to Siboni, emerged in Versace's spring/summer 2021 collection, where models walked the runway in dresses printed with seashells and starfish. Fast-forward to 2022, and resort collections for the upcoming year are covered in scale-like paillettes or drenched in shades like "sea glass" and "ocean." Emerging designers are just as likely to have a spin as runway regulars; Siedrés, BAHÍA MARÍA, and Baobab are a few of Siboni's favorites.
"There's a million different ways to interpret this trend," Siboni says, "which is what makes it so versatile." (Make that 165.2 million, for the number of TikTok views of the mermaidcore hashtag to date.) Shop five far-ranging pillars of the mermaid aesthetic to wear all summer ahead.
This post was originally published in August 2022. It was updated in May 2023 with new market options.
Into the Blue
La Ligne Tracy Dress
La Ligne Tracy Dress
Photo: Celine
Celine Triomphe Sandal
Celine Triomphe Sandal
Photo: NET-A-PORTER
Hunza G Jean Seersucker Bikini
Hunza G Jean Seersucker Bikini
Photo: Prada
Prada Raffia Tote Bag
Prada Raffia Tote Bag
The days dominated by eye-watering hot pink are numbered. "Sunset colours have been really popular, but people have had enough of that—now they're migrating toward blues again," Siboni says. She's anticipating a wave of aquas, ceruleans, and cobalts for next resort season; designers including Self-Portrait and Galvan are already experimenting with that slice of the colour wheel.
Related article: The BAZAAR Guide To Spring 2023’s Best, Boldest Outfits
Sea of Sequins
Photo: NEIMAN MARCUS
New Arrivals Sequin Halter Maxi Dress
New Arrivals Sequin Halter Maxi Dress
Photo: MODA OPERANDI
Paco Rabanne Oversize Paliette Mini Dress
Paco Rabanne Oversize Paliette Mini Dress
Photo: NET-A-PORTER
16 Arlington Luna Mini Dress
16 Arlington Luna Mini Dress
Photo: J.CREW
J.Crew Gwyneth Dress
J.Crew Gwyneth Dress
The most recognisably "mermaid" aspect is also the most party appropriate. Evoking sirens in fishtail gowns and all-over sequins isn't new to the runway—just glance back at Altuzarra's fall 2022 collection, where Gigi Hadid glided down the runway in a gold column gown coated in scaly paillettes. But all-over sequins are set to continue this summer with emerging brands like Siedrés and New Arrivals at the helm, Siboni tells us. (Almost all of New Arrivals' resort 2023 collection is adorned in some form of disco-meets-deep sea embellishment.) And if you can't swing for the boldest paillette minis, a coating of smaller sequins can also achieve that glistening effect.
Shore Things
Photo: BAHIA MARIA
Bahía María Top La Joya
Bahía María Top La Joya
Photo: MODA OPERANDI
Bevza Mermaid Mini Dress
Bevza Mermaid Mini Dress
Photo: BLOOMINGDALE'S
Cult Gaia Enid Box Clutch
Cult Gaia Enid Box Clutch
Photo: MACHETE
Machete Kate Hoops
Machete Kate Hoops
Shells, sea glass, pearls: They're still prevalent in accessories like box bags and jewelry, but pieces made from or inspired by materials washed ashore are also migrating to ready-to-wear. One of Siboni's absolute favourite interpretations comes from emerging label BAHÍA MARÍA. "They have a very literal shell top—I think it's fun to take this literally sometimes, when you're going on vacation," she says.
Haute Halters
Photo: BLOOMINGDALE'S
Staud Kai Smocked Halter Top
Staud Kai Smocked Halter Top
Photo: SHOPBOP
DANNIJO Halter Scarf Top
DANNIJO Halter Scarf Top
Photo: SHOPBOP
Sea Ray Sunset Halter Neck Top
Sea Ray Sunset Halter Neck Top
Photo: Cult Gaia
Cult Gaia Olivine Top
Cult Gaia Olivine Top
When you don't want to go full Ariel with a shell top, Siboni recommends halter tops and dresses for a subtler nod to all things mermaid. They're inherently fit for the season and lean into the broader aesthetic in greens, blues, and iridescent fabrics.
Related article: Fresh Summer 2023 Outfit Ideas To Start Wearing Now
Crochet All Day
Photo: BLOOMINGDALE'S
Longchamp Le Pliage Filet Knit Bag
Longchamp Le Pliage Filet Knit Bag
Photo: NORDSTROM
Petit Kouraj Mini Fringe Top Handle Bag
Petit Kouraj Mini Fringe Top Handle Bag
Photo: SUMMERSALT
Summersalt The Crochet Halter Dress
Summersalt The Crochet Halter Dress
Photo: MODA OPERANDI
Diotima Marina Sequin Net Knit Dress
Diotima Marina Sequin Net Knit Dress
Crochet's resurgence isn't going anywhere in 2023. Instead, Siboni tells us, designers are building on the handwork movement's momentum with crochet matching sets and accessories to carry us through next year's vacations. In upcoming collections, the vibe is more nautical than bohemian with fishnet knots and seaside-inspired colours; dip your toe into the look already with the pieces above.
This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR US.