What Is Mermaidcore? The Aesthetic, Explained

Mermaidcore is dressing like you just stepped out of the sea. Shimmering, iridescent fabrics that look like fish scales, sheer layers that move like water, pearls and seashells, crochet that recalls fishing nets, and colours borrowed from sea glass, coral and shallow lagoons. It became one of the big summer trends of 2022 and 2023, helped along by Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid, and it resurfaces every beach season.

What is mermaidcore?

Mermaidcore is a dreamy, ocean-inspired aesthetic covering fashion, beauty and decor. Its signature is shine: sequins, metallics, satin and pearlescent finishes, mixed with soft, flowing, often sheer shapes. It can be playful and sweet, like a Disney princess, or darker and more seductive in its cousin style, “sirencore”.

Where it came from

Mermaids have fascinated people for millennia, from ancient myths of sirens to Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” (1837) and Disney’s 1989 animated film. In fashion, oceanic themes, shells, scales and pearls have appeared on runways many times. Mermaidcore as a named trend took off on TikTok and Instagram in 2022, when designers and celebrities embraced pearl jewellery, net and crochet dresses, sheer slip dresses and wet-look styling.

The release of Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid, starring Halle Bailey, in May 2023 gave the trend a huge boost. Retail and search data reported sharp rises in interest in mermaid-inspired fashion and beauty around the film’s release, and brands launched themed collections.

The codes

• Fabrics: sequins, iridescent and metallic finishes, satin, mesh, sheer chiffon, crochet and knit with open textures.
• Shapes: slip dresses, draped and asymmetrical gowns, scalloped edges, bralette tops, flowing skirts.
• Accessories: pearls, shells, starfish motifs, chunky glass and resin jewellery, claw clips.
• Beauty: glossy, dewy skin, shimmering eyeshadow, wet-look or long wavy hair.
• Colours: seafoam, aqua, teal, lavender, pearl white, coral and silver.

See the mood

The references

Film and stories: Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid”, Disney’s 1989 film and 2023 live-action remake, Splash (1984), Aquamarine (2006), H2O: Just Add Water, and the sirens of Greek myth.

Fashion: runway collections with sequins, sheer layering and shell details, “wet-look” dresses from designers such as Di Petsa, and the pearl jewellery revival.

Why it caught on

Mermaidcore is fantasy you can wear on holiday. It is perfect for summer, beach weddings, parties and festivals, and it photographs beautifully. It combines nostalgia for childhood films with grown-up glamour. In India, it fits naturally with beach destinations like Goa and Kerala, and with festive outfits that already love shine, sequins and pearls.

The debate

Critics have pointed out the irony of an ocean-loving trend built on sequins, glitter and synthetic fabrics, which shed microplastics into the very seas the look celebrates. Real shells and coral used in jewellery and decor can also harm marine ecosystems. Eco-minded fans suggest vintage sequins, recycled fabrics and pearl-effect pieces made sustainably.

How to wear it now

Start with one shimmering or sheer piece, such as a sequin skirt, a satin slip dress in seafoam, or a crochet top. Add pearls or a shell-inspired necklace and keep make-up dewy with a touch of highlighter. For daytime, try a sea-glass-coloured knit with pearl earrings.

Where it is now

Mermaidcore has become a seasonal favourite that returns every summer. Its icy cousin, the “glacier” and cool-blue looks that Pinterest predicts for 2026, show that watery, shimmering palettes are still on trend.

Related aesthetics

Coquette · Y2K · Boho · Frutiger Aero · Coastal Grandmother

Learn more: hear from more voices

A breakdown of the mermaidcore aesthetic, and a comparison with sirencore and fairycore.

Read more

• Tracing a trend: Mermaidcore — FashionUnited. How the look developed, season by season.
• Mermaidcore soars 90% as beauty brands tap into Ariel’s return — Cosmetics Business. The beauty side of the trend.

Sources: fashion and retail coverage of mermaidcore (2022–2023), including reporting around The Little Mermaid (2023); Pinterest Predicts 2026. Videos are embedded from YouTube and remain the work of their creators. Linked articles belong to their publishers.