It’s no secret that the fashion industry is expert at planting ideas in our minds that fuel trends that last maybe up to a year and then imminently turn into a regrettable fashion choice that makes you ask What was I thinking? when looking back at photos, but the trend of choice this summer just might take the cake. If you’re like me and have your entire For You Page stacked with people searching for the viral T.J. Maxx beaded sardine bag, here is your guide to navigating this fishy trend.
What is Sardine Girl Summer?
At its core, Sardine Girl Summer is an ode to the Mediterranean coast, vintage seafood branding, and embracing that Euro-summer aesthetic that we all dream to achieve. It’s about soaking up sun-drenched afternoons, fishnet details, and metallic fabrics that shimmer like scales. Think less Barbiecore and more Brigette Bardot in Saint Tropez after two negronis and a plate of anchovies.
The sardine itself is symbolic: small, shiny, packed tightly, yet glamorous in its own ironic way. Sardine Girl Summer is for the girls – and whomever else chooses to participate – who romanticize thrifted tank tops, barely-there mini skirts, and the classic gold hoop earrings. It’s for the ones who carry tins of sardines like status symbols, pose by rocky beaches, and treat every evening like an aperitivo hour.
It’s not just about finding those items with embroidered fish on them, – though those are relatively essential – it’s about truly diving into that maritime motif.
The Fashion Staples Of Sardine Girl Summer
Reflective materials are key. Think silver lamé tops, iridescent swimwear, and glittering makeup that catches the golden hour just right. You also must embrace the slippery sensuality that comes with making important fashion decisions based on tiny fish in a can. This means all the mesh and organza you can find. You can’t forget the obvious: nautical accessories. Rope necklaces – whether you prefer the coastal cord necklace or the twisted chain – ,pearl details like this dainty body chain from Nashelle to add an extra oomph to your outfit, and vintage scarves featuring marine elements to complete the look.
Sardine Girl Summer borrows a little from all aesthetics but adds its own briny twist. Picture a girl walking along cobblestone street in kitten heels with a pack of sardines in her bag and a look of mystique upon her perfectly done-up face.
The Sardine Items That You Need
Now that we’ve covered the base layers and the aura that you’ll procure once you fully embrace yourself as a sardine girl, we can’t forget the most important aspect: sardine paraphernalia.
Firstly, there is the aforementioned beaded bag. A staple in sardine style, this bag can be found for a discounted price at your local T.J. Maxx, but they go quickly.
If you’re in the mood to splurge, this sardine beaded bag from Anthropologie or this one from Staud would be perfect for you. Beyond beads, Bottega has a simpler, more discrete sardine bag featuring a metal handle that tapers into the silhouette of a sardine. Staud also carries a more neutral black and white fish-shaped bag that comes both as a handbag and a tote. If you’re aiming to be a little less on the nose with the sardine aesthetic, Anthropologie has another beaded bag that screams coastal summer without being covered in fish.
Embracing the sardine girl aesthetic sometimes means wearing an item that is simply covered in fish. Influencer Halley Kate flaunted this fishy fad by modeling yet another Staud piece: a black silk dress with rainbow sardines and lace details. It is perfect for going out to dinner or running around the streets of Italy after a night out. Staud also carries a slew of other sardine-detailed items if the silk dress is not your vibe.
While clothing is an essential part of Sardine Girl Summer, if you really want to stake your claim as a sardine girl you can incorporate the nautical beyond your wardrobe. Anthropologie is the queen of aquatic home decor. These Fish Terracotta Serving Dishes are to die for. Scout has a similar themed dining tray to really bring the fish aesthetic to life.
Sardine table runners are another relatively inexpensive and simple way to bring this trend to life in your own house. Sellers on Etsy have some great options, and yet again, Anthropologie pulls through with another adorable sardine-themed item.
It’s no secret that dirty martinis have become increasingly popular in recent years, but how dirty is too dirty? If you want to test the limits of that question, feel free to incorporate a little bit of the sardine juice in your next cocktail. Influencer Eitan Bernath says it tastes like the ocean and what could be more sardine-y than that?
Sardine Girl Summer may have started as a quirky microtrend, but it has quickly become a full-fledged lifestyle choice for anyone craving glamour and coastal kitsch. Whether you’re sipping a martini, sporting a beaded tote, or wearing scaly mesh under the Mediterranean sun, this aesthetic offers a fun and fashion-forward way to embrace the summer season. So go ahead and romanticize the tin can, lean into the fishy flair, and let this be the summer you sparkle like a sardine in the best way possible.