Fashion Week

The Aquatic Aesthetic is the Perfect Look For Spring

We're going under the sea in 2023. 

Woman in a two piece sheer pink set at the beach.
Photo via Instagram/ @jordandaniels_

In time for spring’s fast approach, the aquatic aesthetic is the newest fashion niche. Though similar to the popular Mermaidcore aesthetic, the aquatic take on this focuses more heavily on marine imagery rather than these water nymphs. With influencers and celebrities taking on the wet, fresh-out-of-the-water look, it’s no surprise that the aquatic vibe is catching on. Models like Jordan Daniels and Iris Law are showing off their version of this aesthetic. Even Bella Hadid has sported a micro bra made up of shells and marine-like materials while at the beach.

 

Recent shows including Di Petsa and JW Anderson’s Spring/Summer 2023 collections epitomize the aquatic aesthetic. Di Petsa, notorious for the signature "wet look" worn by Kalu Uchis and FKA Twigs, utilizes sheer, slashed fabrics and sea-inspired accessories, whereas JW Anderson took the aquatic theme to a more literal sense with mermaid imagery on handbags.

 

The aquatic aesthetic employs iridescent colors, “wet” looking makeup and hair, sheer garments, and beachy pastel colors. Along with underwater motifs like pearls, shells, and crystals, this look builds upon previous notions of mermaid wear. By moving away from Mermaidcore and into the aquatic aesthetic, we are able to experiment more with what it means to be under the sea rather than just being a siren-like creature who resides there. With celebrities like Julia Fox wearing the current wet-hair trend, the aquatic aesthetic is everywhere already. 

 

The prominence of this aesthetic is no surprise when compared to many other of the '90s and 2000s fashion choices currently trending. Similar to the '90s, thin eyebrows and low-waisted maximalism seen in the 2000s, the aquatic aesthetic was relatively popular during this transformative time. Proving yet again the cyclical nature of fashion, Chanel's Spring/Summer 1997 Haute Couture show featured a sheer blue marine-like dress; Paco Rabanne's Spring/Summer 2005 show consisted of deep-sea-inspired sparkles and bare feet; Blumarine's Spring/Summer 2003 collection demonstrated the sea-focused brand's interest in aquatics.  

Woman in blue sheer dress on the runway.
Woman in sparkly dress on the runway.
Left: Blumarine Spring/Summer 2003; Right: Paco Rabanne Spring/Summer 2005.

Though there are several aesthetics to choose from that live on TikTok (think Vanilla Girl, Coquette, That Girl), the aquatic aesthetic is the perfect look to take into the warmer months.  

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