How To Nail The Fisherman Aesthetic By Shopping Your Closet
Let’s be honest—fashion trends can be a lot. One minute, we’re all about clean girl minimalism, and the next, it’s quiet luxury or mob wife chic (personally, you can pry mob wife from my cold, dead hands). But this spring’s breakout style? It’s effortless, timeless, and ridiculously easy to pull off. Say hello to the Fisherman Aesthetic—aka, the laid-back, slightly rugged, “I just stepped off a boat but make it chic” vibe.
The best part? You don’t need to buy a thing. Unless you want to, and if you do I included some links. Chances are, you’ve got everything you need to pull off this trend hiding in your closet right now. Let’s break it down.
How to Recreate the Fisherman Aesthetic from Your Closet
1. Start with Stripes (Because, Obviously) 👕
If you own a striped Breton tee, congrats—you’re already halfway there. Stripes are a staple in the fisherman look because they’re timeless, effortlessly chic, and work with everything.
🛥 Closet Finds: Any navy-and-white or black-and-white striped top, preferably long-sleeved. Bonus points if it’s slightly boxy or relaxed.
👖 How to Style: Pair it with jeans, a neutral trench, and sneakers for an instant “I summer in the South of France” energy.
2. Bring on the Chunky Sweaters & Knits 🧶
Nothing says rugged coastal charm like an oversized fisherman sweater. The chunkier the knit, the better. If it looks like something you could wear while sipping coffee on a foggy dock, you nailed it.
🛥 Closet Finds: Any cream, navy, or oatmeal-colored knit sweater—bonus if it has a cable-knit texture.
👖 How to Style: Wear it over a white tee with rolled-up jeans or layer it over a slip dress for an unexpected mix of feminine + cozy.
3. Wide-Leg & Relaxed-Fit Pants 👖
No tight skinnies here. The fisherman aesthetic is all about movement, so go for breezy, wide-leg silhouettes or classic straight-leg denim.
🛥 Closet Finds:
✔️ Linen or cotton trousers (beige, navy, or white)
✔️ Relaxed-fit or vintage-inspired denim
✔️ Cargo pants (yes, they’re back!)
👖 How to Style:
- Pair wide-leg trousers with a striped tee and loafers for an effortlessly polished look.
- Roll up the hem of straight-leg jeans and wear with boat shoes or sneakers for an easy weekend outfit.
5. The Right Shoes (AKA, Practical but Cool) 👞
The fisherman aesthetic is rooted in functionality, so footwear is simple, classic, and built for walking.
🛥 Closet Finds:
✔️ Loafers
✔️ Classic white sneakers
✔️ Ankle boots (think Chelsea boots or something slightly rugged)
✔️ Birkenstocks (for the effortless, “I don’t try too hard” vibe)
👖 How to Style: Slip into loafers with cropped trousers or pair Birkenstocks with a casual knit dress. Easy.
6. Minimalist Accessories 🎩
The fisherman aesthetic is low-maintenance, so accessories should feel effortless and natural.
🛥 Closet Finds:
✔️ A woven or canvas tote bag
✔️ A simple baseball cap or beanie
✔️ A lightweight scarf (optional, but makes you look like you belong in a travel magazine)
👖 How to Style: Keep jewelry minimal—gold hoops, a simple chain, or a classic watch will do.
Why We Love This Trend
✨ It’s Timeless – This is one trend that won’t make you cringe in photos 10 years from now.
✨ It’s Comfortable – No weird cut-outs, no sky-high heels, just effortlessly wearable pieces.
✨ It’s Budget-Friendly – You probably already own most of these pieces.
Fashion trends come and go, but looking effortlessly cool with minimal effort? That’s forever.
So, tell me—are you trying the Fisherman Aesthetic this spring? Drop a comment below and let’s talk all things stripes, knits, and effortless style! ⚓🧥
BTW if you’re really looking to go nuts shopping, Free People has a whole page devoted to the Fisherman Aesthetic…
