Land ho! If you’ve spent any time scrolling through TikTok in the past few months, you probably also spotted a huge trend that’s making a major splash: the fisherman aesthetic, predicted by Pinterest earlier this year to be a major 2025 trend. Boat and Totes (both ironic and just regular) everywhere, sardines on everything that your favorite influencer owns—all signs point to this new coastal aesthetic being on the rise in a major way.
As a girl born and raised on the East Coast, this nostalgic trend makes my heart happy. And before you’re like, “Yeah, but this is still just another fake micro-trend that the internet just made up,” know that it's actually just a rebranding of a vibe that’s been going strong all across New England for decades—think of it like the Coastal Grandma's (RIP) eccentric cousin, an outdoorsy twist on the preppy vibe that’s less Vineyard Vines and more ‘90s J.Crew or Lands End.
Practical gear like rainboots, work jackets, and canvas totes abound, plus classic coastal styles like cable knits and boat shoes, and just a sprinkling of nautical detailing like knotted ropes, fish motifs, stripes, and references to various East Coast beaches that you may or may not have actually travelled to in real life. If that sounds like a dream to you, too, let's dive in (no pun intended!) and get fully acquainted with some fisherman aesthetic outfit ideas...
Thick knit sweaters
It's called a fisherman knit for a reason, people. Think Rory Gilmore of Gilmore Girls or Chris Evans in Knives Out but in a harbor town in Maine. That 100% cotton cable knit will be perfect for wearing over swimsuits, draping over your shoulders, or warding off the chill on foggy mornings.
Lunoakvo Cable Knit Vintage Chunky Sweater
L.L. Bean Signature Cotton Fisherman Tunic Sweater
Nautical accessories
Not ready to fully commit to the fisherman look from head to toe but still love an oceanic motif? Sprinkle one of these accessories into your regular wardrobe to spice things up in a subtle way. I personally own a pair of fish earrings and receive compliments on them on a regular basis.
Sally Fish Dimensional Dangle Earrings Brass
Alessia Bianchi Straw Fish With Crossbody Chain
8 Other Reasons Woven Bag in White
Canvas bags
If anyone is looking for a gift to give me, feel free to contribute to my canvas tote collection that I rotate through all summer long. You can up the ante with a monogram or ironic phrase embroidered on your Boat and Tote, or deck yours out with scarves, bag chains, and even a keychain that's a mini version of your bag.
L.L.Bean Boat and Tote®, Mini
Lands' End Mini Canvas Tote Charm
Lands' End 5 Pocket Zipper Canvas Tote Bag
Ralph Lauren Big Pony Cotton Canvas Tote
Stripes of all sizes
It doesn't get any more seafaring-ly chic than a stripe moment, which also happened to be one of the 2025 fashion trends we called out at the end of last year. Navy and white stripes are classic, but you can also play around with red seersucker or even a rugby-style collared shirt.
Aritzia Mighty Cotton™ Lomu Polo Longsleeve
LOMON Striped Boxer Shorts
LILLUSORY Striped Cardigan
Boat shoes & fisherman sandals
Boat shoes are like loafers—in that they go with everything and are super easy to slip on before you run out the door—but also a million times less likely to tear up the back of your heels. You can't go wrong with a pair of Sperry's (or the Aritzia x Sperry collab, if you were lucky enough to snag a pair) or Rothy's (they're washable!).
Alternatively, a strappy pair of fisherman sandals will carry you through the summer months (and all of your Europe vacations) nicely. Get them in a neutral leather pair and I swear you'll be getting your money's worth in no time.
G.H. Bass Fisherman Sandal
Chore coats
When it's "all you need is a light jacket" season, a chore coat/barn coat/worker jacket will do the trick. You can steal one from your dad's closet (he won't miss it) and throw it over your fisherman knit sweater to add some texture and edge to your look.
Carhartt Rugged Flex Canvas Detroit Jacket
Dokotoo Casual Diamond Quilted Jacket
Rain boots
A waterproof shoe like a duck boot or a pair of Hunter rain boots are a core part of the fisherman aesthetic. And even if you don't live in a coastal harbor town, these boots will still come in handy year-round—summer showers, melting slush, and muddy puddles are no match.
Hunter Original Short Rain Boot
Hunter Original Tall Gloss Rain Boot
Blundstone Unisex Super 550 Series Boot
Hannah is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from chic home decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and pictures of her office outfits that nobody asked for.
