Updated 16:21 5 Mar 2026 GMTPublished 21:52 8 Jan 2025 GMT

WTF Is The Fisherman Aesthetic? The Latest Micro-Trend Taking Over 2025

Go off, Captain Joe.

Syeda Khaula Saad

As if the pictures of men on Hinge holding up fish weren’t bad enough, Pinterest released its annual list of trends for the new year, and “fisherman core” has made its way on the list as a “trend to watch.” So, if you’ve been seeing a lot of sardine stencils and bucket hats, odds are you know a little bit about the trend already.

The fisherman aesthetic is basically taking everything you’d see on a grizzled old guy named Captain Joe (you know, the one who knows too much about lobster traps) and making it fashion. Think super chunky cable-knit sweaters and rain jackets (which are suddenly chic again). Also think of fisherman sandals (we see you, Hailey Bieber) and accessories like sardine-shaped bags. Just look like you’re really into fish.

I’ve had to sit here and deal with all the micro-trends of 2024 like the mob wife aesthetic (just wear a fur coat, you don’t need to label it), the office siren trend (let’s not wear mini skirts to work), and the tennis core trend (we get it, you saw Challengers three times in theaters). And I thought we had let these oddly-specific fashion trends die in 2024, but here we are again.

Now, if you are really into fish-themed clothing or just like looking like a nepo baby whose parents own a yacht (but you dress down so other people don’t know how rich you are), then don’t let me stop you from partaking in this trend. If you want your wardrobe to scream “fisherman aesthetic,” here’s how to do it.

How To Pull Off The “Fisherman Aesthetic”

You don’t actually have to, like, bait hooks or gut a trout to get in on the trend. Start with the classics: a navy pea coat, a cozy sweater, or some fisherman sandals. Layer on some rain-resistant outerwear (bonus points for anything that makes you look like you own a fleet of boats). And for the final touch? A crab-shaped bag charm or mesh ballerinas. Net totes, striped prints, and boat shoes are all acceptable too.

The trick is to look like you’re trying really hard to be a normal person, but not to come off as actually casual or blue collar. If you look like someone who’s actually a fisherman? You’ve gone too deep. But if you have the look of a trust fund baby role playing as “just a regular dude,” you got it just right.

Betches may receive a portion of revenue if you click a link and purchase a product or service. The links are independently placed and do not influence editorial content. Prices are accurate at the time of publication.