🦞Lobster-core is where it's at as summer rolls in
As the days get longer, sunnier and warmer, we’re ready for a fresh summer fashion vibe. What are we feeling? Apparently, lots of lobsters.
Searches for lobster fashion and lobster recipes are surging lately. According to Google Trends, “lobster sweater” searches are currently at a record high. In May, the top trending sweater style on Google Trends was the “lobster sweater.”
The lobster sweater is only the beginning. Elsewhere in shoppable lobster-themed fashion, Google Trends surfaced keen search interest in the past month for lobster skirt, lobster tote, lobster bikini, lobster pajamas and for the “viral lobster beaded bag.”
Shoppers recently discovered the affordable beaded lobster handbag featuring red lobsters at TJ Maxx. They posted about it and TikTok went nuts.
But we knew this was coming.
Pinterest, the popular “life inspo” platform that Gen Z swears by, told us back in January that the “Fisherman Aesthetic” — nautical stripes, fish-themed products, and yes, lobster sweaters, vests and accessories would be making waves this year.
The “fisherman core” trend has been rising in popularity and the looks for summer are inspired by seaside fishing and locales such as Portugal, Sardinia, New England, and the Pacific Northwest, said Sahra Brandt, a personal stylist and fashion trends forecaster.
“I absolutely love a bold moment like a lobster or embroidered fish as a bag charm, something that can add a touch of that whimsy and trend flair without fully committing to a whole new wardrobe,” she said.
Lobster-core has picked up steam in recent years, when the crustacean even became an unlikely fashion symbol that adorned haute couture on runway shows.
Now, several mainstream fashion brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie have clawed their way onto the lobster bandwagon with a variety of lobster motif clothing, accessories and dinner plates.
Speaking of dinner, some of the top trending lobster recipes in May on Google Trends included lobster linguine, New England lobster roll, steam lobster, grilled lobster tail and Lobster cake.
“The rise in lobster fashion presents a growing demand for the playful approach, one that serves as the counter-comeback of more serious or utilitarian trends over the years,” said Amy Ekren, a stylist and owner of clothing brand InheritCo.
Lobster-core, she said, is an example of a micro trend that often originates from internet culture and is popularized by influencers and viral accessories, such as the lobster bag bead.
“An age that values individualism and novelty has seen the arrival of all things quirky crustacean,” Ekren said.