Mermaid Gowns: 6 Designer Styles, and How to Choose the Right One

The short answer: a mermaid gown is fitted through the hips and flares from the knee, so the cloth matters. Our pick is the LOULOU Corset Mermaid Gown in pink stretch crepe and silk taffeta. For black, choose the Contrast Mermaid Gown, a black bodice over a pink taffeta skirt. Both fit true to size. See every style in evening gowns.

The mermaid silhouette is fitted through the bust, waist and hip, then opens into a flared skirt from the knee down. It is the most dramatic gown shape and the least forgiving, so construction is everything. LOULOU is an independent Romanian label founded in Bucharest in 2012 by Andra Turcanu. The house designs in Florence, takes its energy from Los Angeles, and makes every piece in its own Bucharest atelier. Its gowns use stretch crepe in the bodice, which holds the line, and silk taffeta in the skirt, which gives the volume.

Our picks

1. Corset Mermaid Gown

Pink crepe with a short sleeve bodice under a crystal corset, and a gathered taffeta hem.

2. Contrast Mermaid Gown

A crystal bustier on a black bodice, with a pink taffeta skirt and a train.

3. Crystal Embellished High-Low Gown

A high low hem in pink crepe and taffeta. The shape moves more easily than a full mermaid.

4. Balloon Sleeve Gown

Black crepe with pink taffeta balloon sleeves and crystals. A column rather than a mermaid, for comparison.

5. Velvet Cutout Feather Gown

Purple velvet that flares into an ostrich feather skirt, a softer take on the mermaid line.

6. Crystal Embellished Bustier Gown

Red crepe and taffeta with a crystal bustier.

Who suits a mermaid gown?

It suits an hourglass figure best because it follows the waist and hip. If you are petite, look for a flare that starts at the knee, not below it. If you are tall, a lower flare and a train look wonderful.

What to wear with a mermaid gown

A heel you can stand in for hours. The hem should just clear the floor in your shoes, so take them to the fitting. Keep jewellery to earrings, since LOULOU gowns already carry crystals.

Frequently asked questions

What is a mermaid gown?

A gown that is fitted from the bust to the knee and flares out below, like a mermaid tail.

What is the difference between a mermaid and a trumpet gown?

A mermaid flares at the knee and below. A trumpet flares higher, around mid thigh, so it is easier to walk in.

Can you sit down in a mermaid gown?

Yes, with care. Stretch crepe, as LOULOU uses, makes sitting much easier.

Is a mermaid gown right for black tie?

Yes. It is one of the most formal gown shapes.

Do LOULOU gowns run true to size?

Yes. On the brand chart XS is a UK 6 and XL is a UK 14. Plan a hem fitting for your shoe height.

Read next: LOULOU couture gowns, rhinestone dresses, and brands like LOULOU.