A mermaid dress is a long, figure-hugging dress that flares out like a fish tail. It is often made of silk, satin, or taffeta and is suitable for proms, weddings, and formal events. The style is associated with the glamour of movie stars from the 1950s and is best suited for tall and slender figures. Mermaid dresses come in various colors, fabrics, and necklines and can have sequin or beaded accents. Accessories should be bold to match the dramatic style of the dress.
A mermaid dress is a long dress that fits close to the body until the lower part of the legs, where it flares out like a fish tail. For this reason, a mermaid dress is also called a fishtail dress. Since mermaid dresses are always long, they tend to be made in styles suitable for proms, weddings, and formal evening wear.
The flared fishtail section of a mermaid dress often begins above the knees. The ruffle it creates is smooth and flowing if the dress is made of thinner fabric, such as silk, satin, or taffeta. If the mermaid dresses are made of a thicker material, the fishtail is stiffer. The very shape of the mermaid dresses, figure-hugging to the flare at the knee, gives the style of the dress a dramatic and glamorous look.
The mermaid dress style is especially associated with the glamor of movie stars of the mid-to-late 1950s. Some female stars wore elegant mermaid dresses with feminine hats. A box hat has a very large round brim. Some mermaid dresses have fine, voluminous ruffles to accentuate the fishtail section. Other mermaid dresses feature a puffy fishtail, rather than a ruffled one.
Mermaid dresses can have sequin or beaded accents. The colors and fabrics of the mermaid dresses are endless. Ivory or white wedding dresses continue to be a popular style with many brides. Pastel or sparkly colored mermaid dresses are often worn at high school proms. A mermaid dress with a black, sequined or metallic finish can make a statement evening dress.
Tall and slender figure types are best suited to the mermaid style. This style sits close to the body and accentuates the waist and hips, so it is not recommended for fuller figures. Since the mermaid dress is fitted at the waist and flares in the leg, it adds the look of curves to slim and athletic body types.
Although many mermaid dress styles are strapless, some have short, puffy sleeves or long sleeves. Strapless mermaid wedding dresses can come with a fitted, short, fitted, long-sleeved lace jacket called a shrug. Since the mermaid style is so dramatic and glamorous, the accessories worn with it should be too. For example, a thin chain necklace will not add the necessary impact with this style of dress; bolder necklaces like fancy pearls would be a better choice.
Necklines vary widely in the type of mermaid dress. They can be square, V-neck, halter or sweetheart. A sweetheart neckline dips slightly in the middle like a sweetheart top. This type of neckline is the most common in a mermaid dress style.
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