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- Google search data reveals that online searches for various terms related to mermaid style have exploded worldwide.
- The trend seems to have been inspired by the release of the live-action version of Disney's The Little Mermaid.
- "Mermaid style" has taken a foothold, leading to an interest in iridescent and shimmery tones with pink, purple, and blue hues.
Recent film releases rarely influence modern fashion and make-up trends.
However, popular films and television shows, coupled with TikTok trends, have begun to influence sartorial and cosmetic trends like never before.
An analysis of Google search data reveals that online searches for various terms related to mermaid style have exploded worldwide amid the upcoming release of the live-action version of Disney's The Little Mermaid.
Before this, HBO's Euphoria sparked a similar trend.
A new finding by fashion site Nasty Gal reveals that searches for 'mermaid-core' skyrocketed 614%, according to the analysis of Pinterest search data.
Google searches for 'mermaid style' have also risen 736% worldwide in the past year.
Searches for 'shell bikini' and 'purple bikini,' Ariel's signature styles, have risen 244% and 311% in the past month.
What is mermaid-core?
A 2022 Vogue article titled "Core Is the New Chic" defined the word 'core' as a suffix denoting a style.
The article also traces the etymology of the word's use in Internet culture back to 2013.
According to Vogue, the term "Normcore" was first coined by trend forecasters K-Hole as a fashion philosophy.
READ MORE | 'It feels so amazing': The Little Mermaid's all-star cast on their deep dive live-action remake
The forecasters posited that the chronically online were competing for virality and uniqueness, and as a result, both were harder to come by.
@tatycokley GRWM for date night ?? Trying the #mermaidcore trend with @armanibeauty of course ??@sephora #ad #armanibeauties #LuminousSilk #EyeTint #armanibeauty ? Aesthetic - Tollan Kim
On the other hand, Normcore was a look for people who didn't want to stand out but saw the social power of fitting in.
Since then, several different 'cores' have been identified alongside hyper-specific internet aesthetics, which are all the rage among young people online.
Popular aesthetics that come to mind are the clean girl, frat boy, and Dark Academia aesthetics.
Most recently, an interest in "mermaid style" has taken a foothold, leading to an interest in iridescent and shimmery tones with pink, purple, and blue hues.
The style is also characterised by beach and water symbols such as shells, coral, and waves. The Little Mermaid
The rise in popularity of mermaid-core is inextricably linked to the 2023 remake of the cult classic The Little Mermaid.
The 2023 version stars musician-turned-actress Halle Bailey in the lead role, and it opened in local theatres at the end of May 2023.
While Bailey's version stays true to the original look of the first Little Mermaid with a lilac bra and iridescent green tail, Ariel's signature red locks have been swapped with literal locs as Hailey coloured her dreadlocks a light copper colour.
Though this change has been the subject of much debate and discussion about her skin colour, it has inspired many black women to incorporate dreadlocks and faux locs into their mermaid-core interpretations.
Ahead of the movie's release, a spokesperson for Nasty Gal commented on the findings: "The Little Mermaid has been an iconic part of popular culture, from Ariel's instantly recognizable outfit to the catchy soundtrack. The premiere and recently released new clips have caused a buzz online with fans eagerly awaiting the movie, which is set to be released later this month."
"As these findings show, the excitement has also transcended into the fashion space, with many fans wanting to emulate Ariel's iconic style, indicating that purple tones, mermaid-inspired swimwear, and bright patterns are set to make a big comeback this Summer."
All data gathered from Google Trends and Pinterest. These findings are not associated with Disney. These insights were supplied by JorunoResearch on behalf of Nasty Gal, who commissioned the data.
