Mermaids are a fan of all things magical, and what’s more magical than wearing a beautiful, flowy dress that ripples as you do a twirl. Really makes you feel like a princess from a Disney movie.
Have you heard of a mermaid dress? It’s not what one might think. Instead of being a dress could be a mermaid costume, it is a gown that extends out at the bottom, resembling a mermaid’s fin.
In this article we’ll answer some mermaid dress FAQ’s, covering mermaid dress history, to mermaid dresses for weddings and proms. If you are looking for the best mermaid dresses, they will be listed here!
Table of contents
What is a mermaid dress?
Mermaid dress history
Mermaid wedding dress
Mermaid dress for bridesmaid
Mermaid prom dress
Mermaid dress plus size
What is a mermaid style dress?
When you hear “mermaid dress” you might think it is a dress for a mermaid costume, but this is not true. Dresses come in many styles, including mermaid style. These kinds of dresses do not necessarily resemble a mermaid but are named after mermaids because of the way they flare out at the bottom. They are also referred to as fishtail dresses.
Mermaid style dresses are typically formal wear dresses, such as those for proms and weddings. A mermaid dress is tight against the body until the very bottom where the fabric puffs outward. It resembles a mermaid tail and is also a common design for a mermaid costume skirt or dress.
Mermaid dresses are designed to accentuate the curves of a female body. Hugging the chest and waist and flaring out at the bottom, the mermaid dress really creates an hourglass figure, or a “mermaid silhouette.”
Mermaid dress history
Dresses have been around for many centuries, but the mermaid dress style didn’t emerge until the 1930’s. It was introduced by a French designer named Marcel Rocha. The style became popularized by Hollywood celebrities in the 1950’s.
In the 1950’s Marilyn Monroe attended an awards show in this red velvet mermaid dress by Oleg Cassini.
In 1951 this mermaid dress was featured in Harper's Bazaar, an American monthly women's fashion magazine.
Mermaid dress for wedding
A wedding day is a very special day! Two people who love each other publicly declare their love to each other with a day of ceremony and celebration! Weddings are not casual events. Everyone gets dressed in their finest and the bride typically wears an extravagant white gown.
You’d best believe the gorgeous and daring style of the mermaid dress would be used on wedding dresses!
For those of us who embody the spirit of a mermaid, this is the perfect dress to express it on your wedding day. Bringing some oceanic mermaid vibes to a wedding creates for a magical memory!
Here are some of the best mermaid dresses in various styles.
Lace mermaid wedding dress
Embellished Lace Swag Sleeve Wedding Dress
Galina Signature brings elegance with this lacey number. Swag sleeves reveal shoulders for a sexy look. The cinched waist features a rhinestone belt. The dress is embellished with lace and pearls. The cost of this is $1,499.
Elegant Vintage Fit And Flare Wedding Dress
This vintage inspired dress by Sophia Tolli Première combines tulle and lace to create a charming look of royalty. The curve-hugging bodice and the flared fishtail give the dress a mermaid silhouette.
Open back mermaid wedding dress
Low Back Soft Lace Wedding Dress
Here’s a gorgeous dress by Galina. For $499 you get this simple but elegant lacey mermaid dress with spaghetti straps and an open back.
Long sleeve mermaid wedding dress
Long sleeve mermaid wedding dress by Maggie Sottero
Maggie Sottero designed this lovely bell sleeved gown with a lace top bodice and lace accentuated train. The shoulder pads lift the shoulders, creating an out-of-this-world effect. This masterpiece is $1,980.
Strapless mermaid wedding dress
Strapless sweetheart neckline lace mermaid wedding dress by Augusta Jones
This strapless lace dress with an open back is simply classic. Look elegant in lace and sequins with a corset and button up back. Buy this dress for $3,500 if you’re going all out!
Organza Mermaid Wedding Dress with Ruffled Skirt
The ruffled sweep train of this dress resembles the flowy translucent fins of a fish. The perfect mermaid dress with a strapless bodice and lace up back. This dress costs $799.
Mermaid wedding dress with long train
Luxe lace fit and flare bridal gown with beading.
Another sexy lace gown! This one, in a fit and flare style, is made of stunning lace and tulle and has a v neckline. It comes with a show-stopping train that gorgeously flows behind you while walking down the aisle.
Mermaid dress for bridesmaid
What’s a wedding without the support of your sisters and gal pals! Bridesmaids are the backbone of the wedding with many duties, including picking out the perfect dress that looks stunning, but doesn’t outshine the bride.
You can find a bridesmaid dress in any style and there are so many beautiful options with lace, sequins, tulle, satin, or chiffon of any color!
Typically all the bridesmaid dresses coordinate. Sometimes all the bridesmaids wear the same dress, but sometimes they wear different dresses of all the same color.
Here are the best mermaid bridesmaid dresses:
Mermaid Sweetheart Sweep Train Chiffon Lace Bridesmaid Dress
This dress comes in over 60 color options. It’s lovely with lace embroidery around the bust, a lace train, and an open back. It costs $155.
Mermaid Off-the-Shoulder Sweep Train Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress
This mermaid silhouette dress is sleeveless with flowy and translucent off the shoulder straps. It even comes in many colors. Get it for an affordable $106.
Mermaid One-Shoulder Sweep Train Chiffon Bridesmaid Dress
This mermaid dress is made of chiffon and lace with a belted waist and lace bodice. There is a wide range of color options. This dress is priced at $125.
Tall Satin Off-Shoulder Mermaid Bridesmaid Dress
By Galina Signature, sleek stretch satin, off-the-shoulder sweetheart neckline. It comes in 13 color options and runs up to size 30. Get it for $189.95.
Stretch Crepe Cowl Neck Strappy Bridesmaid Dress
Simple yet elegant and sleek with a curvy mermaid silhouette. Runs up to size 20. It is made with comfortable material and has a cowl neck. It is $189.
Mermaid prom dress
Prom is a big staple of high school! It’s a rite of passage for a high schooler. You get to get glammed up for a magical night of dancing, tasty food, and friendship.
For one night you forget about the drabness of high school and just have fun. You get to feel like Cinderella attending the prince’s royal ball.
Girls usually splurge a little on their prom dresses. Afterall it’s the only time you get to dress that way! Here are some fabulous mermaid style prom dresses.
Emerald Green Sequin-Print Long Mermaid Prom Dress
Shimmering green sequins in an intricate design cover this gorgeous mermaid gown that resembles a real mermaid tail. This emerald dress with a deep v neckline costs $456.
Long Glitter-Knit V-Neck Prom Dress by PromGirl
Here is a sleek, glitter knit mermaid dress that resembles the one in Little Mermaid when Ariel’s father turns her into a human. Spin around to reveal the open back with corset laces. This dress costs $249.
Sequin-Print Long Pink Mermaid Prom Dress by Alyce
This dress has a beautiful mermaid silhouette with an open back and corset straps. It is made of mesh, tulle and sequins in a pale pink shade. It costs $378.00.
High Neck Shail K Long Prom Dress
This dress contains lace embroidery around the waist and has a high neck and leg slit. It comes in black or maroon. Get it for $199.00.
Long Formal Sequin Prom Gown with Corset Back
Imagine stepping into a limo in this majestic sequin mermaid dress under the glow of the moonlight. It would twinkle like a star, making you look like a star on Hollywood! This gown comes in four different colors, runs up to size 16, and costs $299.
Mermaid dress plus size
It is unfortunate that elegant mermaid dresses aren’t as accessible for the more voluptuous ladies, but there are still some amazing options! You just have to find the right ones. Here are the best plus size mermaid dresses!
Plus size mermaid wedding dress
Lace Applique Mermaid Plus Size Wedding Dress
This dress by Oleg Cassini is strapless with a deep v neck, lace applique and tulle train. The rhinestone belt cinches the waist. It costs $999.
Plus size mermaid dress for bridesmaid
Azazie Plus Size A-Line/Princess Sweetheart Floor-Length Chiffon Bridesmaid Dresses - Dusk
This plus sized mermaid dress by Azazie features tank straps and sheer off-the-shoulder straps. You’ll look gorgeous in this dress with its sweetheart neckline and pleated details. Show off some leg with the side slit. It is only $99.
Plus size mermaid prom dress
Elegant Mermaid Evening Dress for Women Backless Formal Long Prom Dresses with Embroidery
The satin bodice is taut against the body, hugging your curves. The tulle mermaid style train bustles out in layers. Gold lace applique decorates the bust and skirt. With 39 color options and availability up to size 26, this dress can be perfectly tailored to your taste and size!
So now you know a little more about mermaid dresses! Hope you found this article helpful!