We're Doing Fishermancore Now
Let's go for a swim, shall we?
I’ll be going live on Substack TOMORROW (March 13) at 10:00 am EST to chat through this week’s Thrift Score Thursday, which will be all about belts (including some pretty major pieces from my collection). I’m excited! You can ask me questions by leaving a comment on this post, and I’ll also respond to comments as we go. If you’ve got the app on your phone, you’ll get a notification when I’m live, but an email will go out to all subscribers, too. If you miss it, no worries; it will be saved here for you to view after.
In high school, I went through a phase of thrifting old fishing lures. I would cut off the hooks and thread them on to ropes or chains I found at the hardware store and then wear them as necklaces. I still have one today!
I’ve been thinking about those old necklaces a lot lately as I notice touches of fishing culture seeping into the world of design — both in home and in fashion.
Fishermancore is the moment and to meet it, we need look no further than our local antiques mall (or, I guess, your local bait & tackle).
As with any trend, fishermancore is an aesthetic you can think about as you shop and style your own space. Or as you style yourself. This doesn’t mean you need to kit out an entire room to look like a boat — but instead to have fun with thrifting and shopping for little bits and bobs that feed into the trend.
Boat shoes (not exactly fisherman-coded but nautical nonetheless) have been big lately. Jamie Haller makes a very sophisticated pair, as does Miu Miu (their $1,100 version is almost entirely sold out).
For the home, we’re seeing a big uptick in all things nautical — ropes, nets, fish-shaped everything. You can even find the aesthetic via cheap thrills, like these great fishing lure bookends (via Poshmark and just $24).
The fun thing about fishermancore (or any kind of “core,” really — see also cottagecore, grandmacore) is that you can nod to the trend in a number of ways. You could go the more subtle route, nodding to a nautical element, like the iconic midcentury, fish-shaped lounge chairs by John Salterini. Or go more literal with this 1985 Alan Siegel fish chair. Or just barely brush against the trend with this very glam marble-topped cocktail table (whose base looks, to me, like a fishing net).
Fishermancore is also very much about a textural element. Netting, shiplap, rattan — these elements all read as “boat” or “ocean,” and can therefore be used in abundance (or in small doses, as you see fit).
Being from Florida, I am very familiar with the coastal aesthetic that infiltrated interior design in the 1990s and early aughts. But fishermancore is a little more rustic, more lived-in, than that. Look at the above space by Hám Interiors. It doesn’t feel too literal, nor too trendy. It just feels authentic and welcoming. The wood paneling is rich and warm (and very fisherman’s cabin, which makes sense since this space is literally in a former fisherman’s loft). The art is rustic and straight out of a fish shack. And the textures (specifically that rope-like tray on the coffee table) flirt with the trend in a subtle way.
I’ve been wearing these flared jeans a lot lately and every time I do, I get questions. The fit is true to size, they have stretch so they are comfortable, and they are super, super, insanely flattering. They lengthen your legs like nothing else and slim everything out. They are just slightly high-waisted (they hit right below the belly button), which makes your waist look great. As a bonus: they make your butt look very good. Not gifted, not an ad, just a great pair of jeans.
This face cleanser is great if you (like me) struggle with breakouts once a month. It’s affordable ($22), helps clear your skin and isn’t drying. It also doesn’t leave you red, which so many acne-fighting cleansers do.
I greatly enjoyed this article about how beauty product sales go up during times of economic recession. There’s no question that our economy is in a precarious place right now. Interest rates are high, inflation is continuing to go up, and international instability means investors are continually queasy. When the economy is not doing well, sales of luxury goods, clothing, furniture and art (and home sales) go down. But little luxuries, like lipsticks, go up. The Lipstick Index. Fascinating.
I’ve shared this barn jacket a lot on Instagram and for good reason: I have it two colors and I am obsessed with it. It’s laminated, for one thing (great for repelling stains but it also makes it a little more sophisticated). Barn jackets have been back for a while now but I think we’ll keep seeing them. A super easy trend to thrift, of course, but if you want a really fitted, unique version (that looks just as good with sweatpants as it does over a lacy dress), this is the one.
And I’ll leave you with this…
Which "cores" are your favorites? :-)
Oh my gosh, I love that fish chair! It has bananas for a tail!💕