It started as a TikTok obsession, but mermaidcore has since swum straight off our feeds and into our closets. The trend traces back to Versace’s spring/summer 2021 runway, when Donatella sent seashells and starfish down the red carpet and turned the whole show into an ocean floor.
These days, you can’t scroll without running into it. Mermaidcore has drifted well past its TikTok and Instagram roots into resort wear, bachelorette themes, prom season, and basically anywhere shimmer and marine details can fit. It’s become one of the defining summer aesthetics.
The look pulls from mermaid folklore as much as it does from pop culture, think The Little Mermaid (both Ariel eras), Aquamarine, Splash, and the mermaid crew from Peter Pan. Even Chappell Roan has leaned into the imagery in her music videos lately. However you get there, mermaidcore lands somewhere between whimsical and otherworldly: a little bit of magic, wearable.
At its core, mermaidcore just means letting the ocean do the styling for you. Lean into blues, teals, purples, aquas, and greens, warmed up with a bit of sand and sun. Bodycon silhouettes, resort-ready pieces, and true mermaid-cut dresses all fit the mold, as do fabrics that move like waves, finishes that catch the light, and details like pearls, shells, and iridescence. It’s fantasy with a beachy, elegant edge, and it should feel as easy to wear as it looks.
Accessories are where mermaidcore really gets to have fun: starfish, seashells, and pearls are non-negotiable, and fishnets, sequins, and shell embellishments show up constantly, too. Hair goes beachy and loose, ideally with a pearl or shell-accented clip, and a swipe of shimmer or glitter on the eyes finishes the under-the-sea effect.
Dive into dreamy silhouettes and sea-inspired shimmer! These mermaidcore dresses are made for twirling under the moonlight or making waves at your next soirée.
Covered in shimmering iridescent sequins that catch the light from every angle, this dreamy mini dress channels the magical glow of sunlight dancing across the water.
This magical maxi dress is covered with mesh overlay dotted with faux pearls and metallic trim, giving it a dreamy, mermaid-inspired glow with a subtle nod to fish scales.
Soft mint fabric with a subtle sheen, a flowy silhouette, and an open tie-back design give this airy mini dress the effortless elegance of a sea breeze.
Ocean-inspired hues blend together in this mesh midi dress, creating a watercolor effect that feels straight out of an underwater fairy tale.
Soft pleats and a flowing halter silhouette create graceful movement with every step, making this shimmery blue maxi feel effortlessly mermaidcore.
The lustrous turquoise satin has a liquid-like finish that perfectly captures mermaidcore’s signature ocean-inspired shimmer.
Covered in sparkling blue sequins, this bodycon mini shines like the ocean at sunset and is perfect for adding a glamorous siren-inspired touch to your look.
Finish your siren-inspired look with accessories that sparkle like sea glass and complete your ocean-inspired ensemble.
These sculptural gold starfish earrings add just the right amount of seaside charm without feeling overly costumey.
Covered in shell-inspired beading, this handbag adds rich texture and instantly evokes treasures gathered from the shoreline.
Delicate pearl accents make this layered necklace an easy way to add classic mermaidcore elegance to any outfit
Ocean-blue beads and a fish pendant give this choker the carefree feel of a day spent by the sea.
Pearls and seashells are two of mermaidcore’s signature details, making these earrings a natural finishing touch.
Shaped like a seashell with elegant pleated satin, this clutch is a sophisticated nod to the ocean while still feeling polished enough for special occasions.
A simple gold seashell pendant makes this necklace an effortless everyday way to embrace the mermaidcore trend.
Decorated with colorful seashell-inspired beadwork, this playful clutch brings a whimsical splash of coastal style to any summer outfit.
So what do you think? Are you ready to dive in and make mermaid core a part of your world? Show us your most magical mermaidcore looks on Instagram and TikTok @lulus using #LoveLulus and find more mermaidcore pieces in our Summer Fashion Shop!
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