What is Mermaidcore? Stars Who've Worn the Mermaidcore Trend: PHOTOS
Every year, it seems the fashion community is expanding in new and exciting ways. More trends and lifestyles are hitting the mainstream circuit, thus making people pumped to try a trend that they may have been too nervous about experimenting with before. That’s the great thing about fashion: anyone can do it, and it’s full of possibilities — including the more mystical possibilities, like mermaidcore.
So, you are probably asking yourself, “What the heck is the mermaidcore trend?” Well, don’t worry about it, because we have the full breakdown here. On the surface level, the mermaidcore trend is exactly how it sounds: you dress and style your look to that of what a mermaid would wear. It entails a lot, making it one of the more imaginative core trends that have been on the internet recently.
For colors, you can rock any muted or pastel shade, but people typically go for something in blue, green, and/ or white to match the ocean vibes. Think ruffles, sparkles, and pearls: anything to add that extra level of spellbinding to your look. As for the hair, you can go full Disney-princess like Kaia Gerber at the 2022 Met Gala, or a more slicked-back, almost wet-like look that Heidi Klum rocks a lot. And the makeup? Think dewy, shiny, and something Ariel from the Little Mermaid would fawn over.
While the desire to channel a mermaid isn’t a new concept, the trend has been making waves slowly but surely the past few years. In fact, the trend has been nearly taking over the red carpet since late 2022! And we seriously can’t wait to see more people’s renditions of the gorgeous trend.
Below, see which stars have tried their hand at the dreamy mermaidcore trend.
A version of this article was originally published on Feb 2023.
More from SheKnows
Best of SheKnows
21 Celebrity Couples Who Split Up After Over 20 Years Together
Every Single Time Jessica Chastain‘s Bold & Ethereal Red Carpet Fashion Brought Us to Our Knees
All the Best Fashion Moments from Lindsay Lohan's Acting Comeback
Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain was a vision at the 2024 Kering for Women Dinner in this seafoam green, sea-inspired gown from Gucci.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry wowed at the 2024 Kering for Women Dinner in this sparkling blue gown from Balenciaga.
Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson stunned everyone in this scalloped, shimmery and metallic gown from Oscar de la Renta at The 77th Annual Tony Awards.
Rachel Zegler
Rachel Zegler shined in blue at the 2024 Met Gala in this baby blue plunging sequined dress by Michael Kors Collection with a matching billowing cape.
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union was feeling herself at the 2024 Met Gala in this scalloped custom Michael Kors ombré dress with white, green and blue tones.
Elle Fanning
Elle Fanning looked absolutely angelic at the 2024 Met Gala in this wet look-inspired Balmain dress with birds decorating the top of her sleeves.
Donatella Versace
Donatella Versace brought mermaid-core to another level in this seafoam green Versace dress that ruffled outwards at the 2024 Met Gala.
Emma Stone at the 2024 Oscars
Emma Stone captivated the 2024 Oscars red carpet in a custom Louis Vuitton gown that effortlessly combined elegance with a touch of mermaidcore whimsy. The mint-colored peplum gown, highlighted by a strapless corset top and adorned with a 30-carat diamond necklace, was a nod to both modern luxury and classic Hollywood glamour.
Anya Taylor-Joy at the 2024 Oscars
At the 2024 Oscars, Anya Taylor-Joy dazzled onlookers in a Dior Haute Couture gown that gave the mermaidcore trend a modern, Art Deco vibe. Her ensemble featured a strapless design with a structured bodice that gracefully transitioned into a petal-like, scalloped skirt, shimmering with every movement and capturing the ethereal beauty of the sea’s depths.
Kim Kardashian at Paris Fashion Week (2024)
Kim Kardashian arrived at the Maison Margiela Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show in a black,scale-like gown that reminded everyone of mermaidcore. Mermaidcore, but gothic? Love it.
Kylie Jenner at Paris Fashion Week (2024)
When Kylie Jenner arrived at the Maison Margiela Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2024 show in 2024, she arrived in this iridescent, silver c.
Rosamund Pike
Saltburn star Rosamund Pike brought mermaidcore to the 2024 Critics Choice Awards in this bright blue sequined Rodarte dress.
Hunter Schafer
Hunter Schafer’s custom Prada gown instantly reminded us of the mist of the ocean. Obsessed with this 2024 Golden Globes look.
Natasha Lyonne
Natasha Lyonne turned heads with this white tasseled gown from Schiaparelli, at the 2024 Golden Globes.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock
At the 2023 BET Awards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock looked like a 1920s-inspired mermaid in this chic, scalloped gown from Georges Hobeika.
Halle Bailey at the 2023 Oscars
Little Mermaid herself Halle Bailey turned heads in this tulle, baby blue ballgown from Dolce & Gabbana.
Ana de Armas at the 2023 Oscars
From the scalloped detailing at the bottom to the rhinestones throughout this white Louis Vuitton gown, Ana de Armas’ 2023 Oscars look was a stunner!
Eva Longoria at the 2023 Oscars
If mermaidcore and art deco combined into one garment, it’d be this detailed Zuhair Murad gown Eva Longoria rocked.
Tems at the 2023 Oscars
Tems’ stunning white wave Lever Couture gown was truly a sight to see at the 2023 Oscars!
Miranda Kerr at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Miranda Kerr kept her Vanity Fair dress sleek, chic, and the pinnacle of mermaidcore. We’re still thinking about this Elie Saab gown!
Naomi Campbell at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Naomi Campbell’s Schiaparelli Couture gown gives both the sparkle aspect of mermaidcore and the seashell vibes.
Danielle Deadwyler at the 2023 SAG Awards
At the 2023 SAG Awards, Danielle Deadwyler unleashed her inner mermaid in this white and peach, scalloped dress from Louis Vuitton.
Quinta Brunson at the 2023 SAG Awards
Quinta Brunson absolutely nailed the mermaidcore trend in this fringe Jean-Louis Sabaji gown with seashell detailing.
Zendaya at the 2023 SAG Awards
Zendaya added a more modern take to the mermaidcore trend, rocking this sparkling and silk, multic-olored mini-dress
Quinta Brunson at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards
Quinta Brunson was the pinnacle of a glimmering goddess at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards when she stepped out in this Dundas gown.
Salma Hayek at the 2017 LACMA Art + Film Gala
Okay, but this color-shifting blue dress screams mermaidcore. Salma Hayek rocked this show-stopping blue Gucci gown back in 2017 for the LACMA Art + Film gala.
Cheryl B. Engelhardt at the 2023 Grammys
Composer Cheryl B. Engelhardt stunned everyone at the 2023 Grammys in this mermaid-esque, custom blue SOKAYRI ATELIER skirt and a floral white top from Brooks LTD that she had her fans sign!
Lupita Nyong’o at the 2016 Met Gala
That’s right: Lupita Nyong’o made sure all eyes were on her in this glittering, airy green Calvin Klein dress at the 2016 Met Gala.
Naomi Scott at the Academy Museum Gala
Much like Heidi Klum’s ethereal, lightweight gown, Naomi Scott’s Academy Museum Gala dress was something out of a fairytale. Seriously, we still think about this cream tulle gown from Erdem.
Rosario Dawson at the 2022 Emmys
Bring on the ruffles! Rosario Dawson unleashed her inner, fabulous mermaid in this baby-pink Christian Siriano gown at the 74th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
Megan Thee Stallion at the 2022 Oscars
Between the airy ruffles and the gorgeous color, Megan Thee Stallion truly embodied the trend perfectly with this custom Gaurav Gupta gown (which she paired with Stuart Weitzman shoes!)
Regina King at the 2021 Oscars
All eyes were on Regina King when she stepped out in this ruffled, scalloped blue gown from Louis Vuitton.
Heidi Klum at the US premiere of ‘Avatar 2: The Way of Water’
During the US premiere of Avatar 2: The Way of Water, Heidi Klum stole the show in one of the best looks of 2022: a water-like, hypnotic high-slit gown from Lever Couture that screams mermaid vibes through and through!
Taylor Swift at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards
Taylor Swift nearly broke the internet with this Oscar de la Renta dress at the 2022 MTV VMAs; and while it’s not pearls, it definitely gives the same effect. We’re still obsessed.
Camilla Cabello at the 2023 Grammys
For the 2023 Grammys, Camilla Cabello added a mermaidcore detail to her PatBO and MIKIMOTO look. Can you guess? It’s the pearl-encrusted bralette (something Ariel would swoon over!)
Paris Jackson at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
While most people put the color blue with the mermaidcore trend, but you can’t forget about green! Paris Jackson fully embraced the color in this silk, draped seafoam green gown from Versace.
Katie Holmes at the 2022 CFDA Awards
This netted beaded dress from Simkha’s Spring 2023 Read-to-Wear collection that Katie Holmes wore screams mermaid vibes!
Jessica Chastain at the 2022 Oscars
We still think about this ombre, ruffle-trimmed Gucci gown Jessica Chastain wore to the 2022 Oscars.
Jodie Turner-Smith at ‘The Independent’ Premiere
While so many fans were losing it over her neon green hair, we also need to talk about the mermaid-scale designed pencil skirt that Jodie Turner-Smith rocked at the premiere of The Independent.
Kaia Gerber at the 2022 Met Gala
We all remember when Kaia Gerber stepped out in this gorgeous silver cutout gown from Alexander McQueen. While the dazzling dress gave a small nod to the trend, her Disney-princess-level hair was what really did the trick.
Kate Hudson at the ‘Pu?ales Por La Espalda: El Misterio De Glass Onion’ Premiere
At the Pu?ales Por La Espalda: El Misterio De Glass Onion in Madrid, Kate Hudson seriously channeled The Little Mermaid perfectly. She perfectly captured a mermaid’s outfit with a lavender bandeau and a sequined halter strap that matched the high-waist sequined skirt.
Jennifer Lopez at the ‘Shotgun Wedding’ Premiere
If you’re saying you don’t get mermaid vibes from this ruffled and scalloped mini-dress Jennifer Lopez rocked, then you’re lying.
Michelle Williams at the 2023 Golden Globes
Ruffles galore! With the ruffles, the jewels, and the muted cream color on this Gucci gown, Michelle Williams truly rocked the trend.
Julia Garner at the 2023 Golden Globes
Not only did Julia Garner rock the Barbiecore trend at the 2023 Golden Globes, but with the ruffles and delicate jeweled detailing throughout the Gucci gown make this a seriously gorgeous take on mermaidcore.
Amanda Seyfried at the 2022 Emmys
Amanda Seyfried‘s sparkling Armani Privé gown that she wore to the 2022 Emmys screams merimaidcore, from the delicate ruffles on the collar and the light, dazzling color.
