This summer, Bloomingdale’s ready-to-wear fashion director Arielle Siboni noticed a recurring theme as she went from Resort Market 2023 to Resort Market 2023. All the clothes she wanted more many looked like the dress code for an underwater party. So she started posting her favorite pieces—a floor-length dress here, a shell-embellished top there—on her Instagram Stories and tagging them “mermaid.”
“I feel like we’re always looking for a new resort trend, especially since everyone is going on vacation again and Instagram is a big part of that,” Siboni shares. BAZAAR.com. Mermaidcore is the seaside resort trend that “took on a life of its own,” she says.
The mermaidcore spectrum ranges from slightly nautical to full-on aquamarine, depending on the designer. Siboni’s aesthetic checklist includes all-day jewelry with pearls and crocheted pieces, plus more evening-oriented sequined column dresses. And because designers can’t resist a literal interpretation, fishtail dresses are also in the mix. Translated online speak: “It’s almost the opposite of the seaside granny, which is more relaxed and linen-based,” says Siboni.
The first glimpse of what would become mermaidcore, according to Siboni, appeared in Versace’s spring/summer 2021 collection, where models walked the runway in dresses printed with seashells and starfish. Fast forward to 2022, and next year’s resort collections are covered in scaly paillettes or filled with hues like sea glass and ocean. Emerging designers are just as likely to get a spin as runway regulars; Siedrés, BAHÍA MARÍA and Baobab are some of Sibon’s favourites.
“There are a million different ways to interpret this trend,” says Siboni, “which is what makes it so versatile.” (Make that 11 million, for the number of TikTok videos with a mermaidcore hashtag.) Before the latest renditions arrive for resort 2023, a sample of mermaidcore is already on the market. Shop five wide-legs of the mermaid aesthetic below—to wear for the end of summer or save until next.
In blue
One shoulder dress with a self portrait
Milly Electra Stretch Silk Slip Dress
Stella McCartney Cropped Knit Body
Now 70% off
Galvan Atalanta pleated midi dress
The days dominated by eye-watering hot pink are numbered. “Sunset colors have been really popular, but people have had enough of that – now they’re migrating back to blue,” says Siboni. She’s envisioning an aqua, cerulean and cobalt wave for the upcoming resort season; Designers including Self-Portrait and Galvan are already experimenting with that part of the color wheel.
Sea of Sequins
Altuzarra Neres Sequin Maxi Dress
Siedrés Jill Sequin Mini Dress
Renata mini dress with retrofête stitching
The more distinct “mermaid” aspect is also the most appropriate for the party. Evoking mermaids with fishtail dresses and all-over sequins is nothing new to the runway—just take a look at Altuzarra’s Fall 2022 collection, where Gigi Hadid glided down the runway in a gold column dress covered in scaly paillettes. But versatile sequins will continue throughout this fall and into next year with up-and-coming brands like Siedrés and New Arrivals leading the way, Siboni tells us. (Nearly the entire New Arrivals resort 2023 collection is adorned with some sort of disco-meets-deep-sea embellishment.) And if you can’t swing the bolder mini-paillettes, a layer of smaller threads might also achieve that glowing effect.
Things of the Coast
Cult Gaia Enid Box Clutch
Bahia Maria Top La Joya
Éliou Papillon gold-tone pearl bracelet
Shells, sea glass, pearls: They’re still prevalent in accessories like box bags and jewelry, but pieces made or inspired by materials washed ashore are also migrating to ready-to-wear. One of Siboni’s absolute favorite renditions comes from emerging label BAHÍA MARÍA. “They have a very literal shell tip—I think it’s fun to take that literally sometimes when you’re going on vacation,” she says.
Haute Halters
Saks Potts Blue Snake Tank Top
Not everyone wants to go full Ariel with a shell top. So Siboni recommends tank tops and cap dresses for a more subtle nod to all things mermaid. They are inherently seasonal and lean towards the broader aesthetic of green, blue and iridescent fabrics.
Crochet all day
Vince Sweater Crochet Sweater
Now with 30% discount
Petit Kurage Mini Fringe Mesh Tote Bag
Leset Lucy crochet cotton pants
Nannacay Estela Mesh Shoulder Bag
The crochet revival isn’t going anywhere in 2023. Instead, Siboni tells us, designers are building on the handcraft movement’s momentum with matching crochet kits and accessories to carry us through the holidays of the year. next. In the upcoming collections, the vibe is more nautical than bohemian with fishnet knots and sea-inspired colors; dip your toe into the look already with the pieces above.
Halie LeSavage is a New York-based writer and editor for Bazaar.com, where she covers all things e-commerce and shopping. Her work has previously appeared in glamor AND Brew in the morning.
