Dress Codes & Style Guides
What Is a Mermaid Dress? A Guide to Mermaid Gowns
A mermaid dress is fitted through the bust, waist and hips and stays close to the body to the knee or just below it, then flares out to the hem, like a mermaid's tail. It's one of the most dramatic gown silhouettes, a favorite for prom, pageants and black-tie events. A mermaid gown traces an hourglass figure and adds curves to a straighter one, but it's the hardest silhouette to walk, sit and dance in, so try it on and practice moving.
In This Guide
What Is a Mermaid Dress?
A mermaid gown is fitted from the bust to the knee and flares sharply at or just below the knee. The flare can be a soft fishtail or full layers of ruffles or tulle, and many mermaid gowns add a train. They're made in structured fabrics like satin, stretch satin and taffeta, and in beading, sequins and lace.
Mermaid vs. Trumpet vs. Fit-and-Flare
- Mermaid: fitted to the knee or just below, then flares. The most dramatic of the three.
- Trumpet: fitted through the hips, then flares from about mid-thigh, so the flare is longer and walking is easier.
- Fit-and-flare: fitted through the bodice and waist, then flares from the hips. The easiest to move in.
For other gown shapes, see the guide to prom dress types.
Who Looks Good in a Mermaid Dress?
- Hourglass: the fitted line follows your curves from bust to knee.
- Rectangle: a structured fabric and a full flare create the look of curves.
- Pear: choose a style with detail at the bodice and a soft fabric over the hips, or try a trumpet instead.
- Petite: a mermaid can work if the flare starts at your knee, not lower, and the hem just skims the floor in your shoes.
- Tall: you can carry a dramatic flare and a long train.
The Sherri Hill Fit Finder shows your body shape and the size to try for each silhouette, including mermaid.
How to Size a Mermaid Dress
A mermaid gown is fitted at the bust, waist and hips, so all three measurements need to fit. Choose the size that fits your largest measurement on the Sherri Hill size chart, then have a seamstress take in the rest. Shop early enough for alterations, and take the shoes you'll wear to your fitting, since the hem and the height of the flare depend on them.
Tips for Wearing a Mermaid Gown
- Walking: take shorter steps from the knee. A slit adds room to move.
- Sitting: sit on the edge of the chair and lift the flare slightly before you sit.
- Stairs: lift the skirt at the sides, above the flare.
- Dancing: if your gown has a train, ask your seamstress to add a bustle so you can lift it off the floor.
- Underwear: seamless underwear and a smoothing slip help the fitted line lie flat.
Sherri Hill Mermaid Gowns
Sherri Hill dresses are sold through authorized retailers; use Find A Store to locate one near you. If the store doesn't have your color or size, the retailer can check whether it's available to order.
Style 57884
A strapless mermaid gown in stretch satin, with a ruched bodice, a bow and a chiffon ruffle skirt cut with a slit. It comes in eight colors, including light blue, navy, blush and red, in sizes 000 through 18. See style 57884.
Style 58929
A strapless mermaid gown with a pearl bodice, bow embellishments and a taffeta skirt. It comes in six colors, including black with silver, pink with silver and aqua with silver, in sizes 000 through 18. See style 58929.
Style 67175
A mermaid gown with a fully beaded bodice and a chiffon skirt cut with a slit, in ivory with pink, AB and peridot, or blush with multi, in sizes 000 through 14. See style 67175.
See every style in mermaid dresses. For more on fabrics, see formal dress fabrics and care.
Shop the Look
Your retailer can check whether a color or size is available to order.
Find A Store
Find a Sherri Hill Retailer
In the United States, Sherri Hill dresses are sold through authorized retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mermaid dress?
A gown that's fitted from the bust to the knee and flares out at or just below the knee to the hem, like a mermaid's tail.
What's the difference between a mermaid and a trumpet dress?
A mermaid stays fitted to the knee before it flares; a trumpet starts to flare higher, around mid-thigh, so it's easier to walk in.
Are mermaid dresses hard to walk in?
They take some practice. Take shorter steps, choose a style with a slit if you plan to dance, and practice sitting and climbing stairs before the event.
Can short girls wear mermaid dresses?
Yes. Choose a style where the flare starts at your knee, have the hem fitted to your shoes, and avoid very heavy flares that overwhelm a petite frame.
What size mermaid dress should I get?
The size that fits your largest measurement of bust, waist and hips, since the dress is fitted through all three. A seamstress can take in the rest.
