The Fisherman Aesthetic Trend Is The Laidback, Coastal Vibe Your Wardrobe Needs

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Salt in the air and a windbreaker on your back: fashion has found its way to the docks. The so-called fisherman aesthetic, this trend cycle's prevailing mood, borrows from the romance of coastal life and the utilitarian functionality of maritime tradition. But rest assured, you don't need a lobster license to get the appeal. This is quiet luxury with a saltier edge, East Coast aspiration with more grit. Its predecessor — the coastal grandmother aesthetic — idealized soft leisure and easy matriarchal chic through breezy linens and garden-party pearls. The fisherman aesthetic, on the other hand, drifts towards something sturdier, shaped by weather and wear.

Stylist Katie Schuppler, speaking exclusively to Women, said: "I think one of the reasons for this trend is that it is aspirational for people that aspire for the life of living on the East Coast, The Hamptons, Cape Cod." In other words, dressing like you own a boat is the next best thing to actually owning one.

The clothes conjure the fantasy of morning walks to the harbor, and a life measured in tides rather than time zones. As usual, Pinterest saw it coming, listing it in its 2025 trend report, with the platform's very own Global Trends and Insights Lead Sydney Stanback describing the look's unfussy charm to InStyle as "nautical with an eclectic twist." Naturally, the fashion world has taken the bait with these staples, and it's not letting go of the line anytime soon.

The striped top is where the fisherman aesthetic sets sail, with stylist Katie Schuppler telling Women it's a go-to for anchoring the look. The original French naval uniform laid the groundwork for the classic Breton stripe, but designers today are giving it a fresh current. The staple pattern has been reworked in boxier cuts, crisp poplins, and striped button-downs. Recreate your own version of the look with a Gleeivy Striped Button Down and your favorite straight leg jeans.

For all its familiarity, the cable-knit has a relatively brief history. Its origins trace back just over a century, to the Aran Islands off Ireland's western coast, where women began knitting them for the fishermen in their families. The patterns added bulk and warmth, and the untreated wool repelled the damp brutality of Atlantic weather.

Although they were garments made to withstand weather, they're withstanding trends, too. Today, that same tactile heft is what makes the cable-knit sweater such a natural fit for the fisherman aesthetic. So, if you're looking to layer the look into your own wardrobe, the ILLUSORY Cable Knit Sweater or PRETTYGARDEN's chunky version make for an easy first cast.

Stylist Katie Schrupper also pointed to barrel jeans as a catch worth noting in the fisherman aesthetic. With their curved, buoyant silhouette and slightly tapered hem, they echo the ease of dockside dressing. They are loose enough to move in, but structured enough to hold their shape, bringing ballast to the overall look.

We know the hottest denim trends of 2025 all have one major thing in common: a clear move towards ease. The barrel silhouette floats comfortably at the centre of that shift, spotted on big fish like Hailey Bieber and Julianne Moore.

You don't need sea legs to pull off these GREAIDEA mid-rise barrel jeans. As Schrupper reminded Women, "This aesthetic is also comfortable and casual, yet stylish!" But to keep the look balanced, opt for a more fitted top — ideally a striped one, as mentioned earlier.

The rope bag is the accessory tying the fisherman aesthetic together — literally. It might not hold your catch of the day, but it certainly completes the look. High-end designers like Prada and Khaite have already cast their lines, reinterpreting the form with weaves and netting. But there's no need to sink your budget: this Shappy woven fishing net shoulder bag will keep you fully in step with the salty spirit of the fisherman aesthetic without needing a net worth to match.

It's out with the old, and in with the oar-worthy. Ditch outdated sandal trends during summer — fisherman styles are the ones making waves. With their cage-like construction and solid soles, they're arguably the most instantly recognizable signature of the aesthetic. They have a history that well predates the runway, but today, they're more likely to be spotted on fashionistas who want an easy way to emulate breezy Italian summer dressing.

Even Taylor Swift has been seen in them — proof that the appeal stretches beyond the shoreline. Stylist Katie Schuppler told Women, "One of my favorite ways to wear this sandal trend is by styling a platform style, which makes it more fashion-forward and modern."