How to Dress Up as a Mermaid for School

The mermaid figure is widely admired in folklore, on television, and in films. The exquisite beauty and mystery surrounding them make the stories of mermaids even more enchanting. Even though mermaids don’t live underwater, you can still dress up as one for school by mimicking their distinctive traits. You can wear a mermaid-inspired outfit and accessories like a shell necklace, then study mermaids to confidently perform your role at school.

Choose ocean-inspired colors. Outfits in shades of the ocean will help evoke the image of a mermaid while adhering to school dress codes. Bright blues, greens, and all shades of turquoise are closely associated with the sea. However, you don't have to stick solely to these colors. A hint of purple or orange will give you a tropical vibe. If you prefer a minimalist style, white or cream also works perfectly. And if you're a bold girl who can't live without black, go ahead and wear black. Dressing like a mermaid is about expressing your true self. If you don't have these colors in your wardrobe and can't go shopping, you can make up for it with accessories and a complete look.

• Look at ocean life images and try to replicate some of the colors and details in them.

Wear a shell bra or fish scales. Mermaids often wear two shell pieces to cover their chest. While it's not appropriate to only wear two shell pieces to school, you can find a shirt that mimics this effect by printing shell images on a t-shirt. If you're not into shell patterns, you can also opt for a shirt with shimmering fish scales. Another option is to wear ocean-themed leggings or a fish-patterned top. You can even find patterns online and make your own!

Wear a mermaid tail skirt. Mermaid tail skirts are fitted at the waist and flare out around the calves. Look for one in your favorite color, but dark blue and purple work best. Pair it with a shell or fish scale patterned top, and you’ll have a complete outfit. If you can't find one or don't like the style, simply wear a flowing, soft skirt. As long as the colors and design match the mermaid theme, you’ll look just like one!

Try wearing mermaid-inspired leggings. Mermaid imagery has become increasingly popular in recent years, so it’s easy to find mermaid-themed items. Look for leggings or tights with a fish tail pattern. These leggings look as though they are covered in shimmering fish scales. Pair them with an ocean-blue top for a perfect mermaid look. If that's not your style, try soaking a colored pencil in water for a minute and drawing fish scales. If someone notices the small colored patches on the scales, just cover them and quickly move on to another spot.

Wear a costume if the occasion allows. Normally, you shouldn't wear a full mermaid costume to school, but if there's a drama performance or a costume day at school, this is the perfect opportunity. Buy a mermaid tail online, wear a flesh-colored top, and attach two shell pieces as a 'bra.' Just make sure you follow the school's dress code. You can also try this outfit if you’re performing as a mermaid in a play. You can even make your own mermaid tail!

Grow your hair long or wear a wig. Mermaids are famous for their long, beautiful braids. If you want to look like a mermaid, consider growing your hair out. Wearing a wig or using hair extensions is another option. Hair extensions come in many colors, so you can add blue or purple strands to create a mystical, otherworldly look. However, don't sacrifice the health of your hair. Mermaids are often known for their beautiful, healthy locks, and using heat styling tools, hair dye, or extensions may damage your hair, making your efforts pointless. There are many ways to achieve a similar effect for straight, wavy, curly, or even kinky hair. Be unique and be yourself!

• Ensure your school allows hair dyeing before you color your hair.

Spray sea salt on your hair. This product will give your hair the look as if you've just come from the beach. You can buy a sea salt spray at beauty stores or make it yourself. It’s simple: mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of sea salt with 1 cup (240 ml) of warm water, add 1 teaspoon of argan oil and 2-3 drops of essential oil into a spray bottle. You can also add some coconut oil, milk, or water for a tropical scent and extra moisture since sea salt can dry out your hair. Spray the solution onto your hair while gently combing through it.

• Lavender essential oil is a good option.
• You can use avocado oil instead of argan oil.

Paint your nails with ocean-inspired colors. Blue, green, and purple are perfect colors for nail polish. You can also look for shimmering nail polish that resembles fish scales. If you're feeling creative with your nails, you can paint fish scale patterns on them.

Combine makeup with your outfit. A soft green hue on your lips or at the outer corners of your eyes will complement your mermaid-inspired outfit. For added drama, mix some glitter into your eyeshadow. You can also apply a bit of highlighter to your cheeks for a glowing, fish-scale effect. However, you don’t need makeup if you don’t want to. Mermaids naturally have healthy, dewy, and rosy skin, not the shimmering blue lips that have recently become a trend. Try using a good-quality oil on your face, especially when swimming, to create a radiant and graceful look.

• If it’s for a costume party, you can draw fish scales on your face.

Choose mermaid-style shoes. Add a touch of whimsy to your look with mermaid-inspired shoes. A simple pair of sparkling flat shoes are easy to find and perfect for a mermaid-themed outfit. Shoes with fish scale patterns are also a great option.

• You can also paint fish scales on a plain pair of shoes to give them a unique touch.

Wear shell jewelry. Get necklaces, bracelets, and earrings made from shells. If you can’t find any, you can collect small shells from the beach. Sometimes shells already have small holes for threading, but if not, you can easily drill a tiny hole to make a necklace.

Decorate your hair with ocean-themed hair clips. Hair clips shaped like sea creatures such as starfish, dolphins, seahorses, and other fish are easy to find. You can use these clips to pull some of your hair back for a mermaid-inspired style.

Buy a shell-shaped handbag. Store your personal items in a handbag shaped like a shell. If you don’t like handbags, you can look for a shell-shaped backpack, wallet, or pencil case.

Read mermaid-themed books. Start with ancient legends about mermaids, which can be found all over the world, from Russia to Greece. After that, dive into fictional stories about mermaids, like Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale, "The Little Mermaid."

• Beyond Andersen's work, check out Oscar Wilde's "The Fisherman and His Soul," H.P. Lovecraft's "The Shadow over Innsmouth," and Alice Hoffman's Blue Water Pearl.

Watch mermaid movies and TV shows. Begin with Disney's version of The Little Mermaid. Splash is a live-action film about a character who turns into a mermaid when wet, providing great inspiration for portraying a mermaid. This is just one example, but there are many mermaid-themed films and shows to explore.

• Blue Water Pearl is another great option.
• Other suggestions include Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid, Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and She Creature.

Visit a mermaid camp. Delve deeper into mermaid life by visiting Weeki Wachee Springs, a famous mermaid park in Tampa, Florida. They host special camps where kids can wear mermaid tails and learn to swim like a mermaid. If Florida is too far, search for mermaid camps near your area.

Watch mermaid performances. At places like Weeki Wachee, you can enjoy performances by professional mermaid actors. However, Weeki Wachee is not the only place in the world with mermaid shows. If you can't find a performance nearby, check out mermaid performances on YouTube.

Get involved in marine conservation activities. A true mermaid would care deeply about protecting her ocean environment. Join an environmental group or awareness campaign focused on pollution. Learn about the dangers of overfishing and oil spills. If you live near the ocean, participate in beach clean-up projects to help protect marine life.

• Embrace your natural beauty. Mermaids are confident, but never arrogant or boastful.
• Practice singing. Everyone knows mermaids have beautiful, melodic voices. If you have a lovely voice, show it off when listening to music in the car or during choir practice.
• Dye your hair in ocean-inspired colors like turquoise, seafoam green, or bright blue.
• Bring a fish tank to school for an extra mermaid touch.
• Try to bring out a bit of your true self! Sudden changes may seem inauthentic.
• Fake a little unsteady walking. Mermaids aren’t used to walking on land.
• If you don’t have long hair, you can add hair extensions. Extensions look more natural than wigs. However, you can still rock short hair!
• Pack seafood for lunch, such as sushi, oysters, etc.
• When out with friends, leave your shoes behind and walk barefoot!
• Take care of yourself. Mermaids are known for their beautiful skin.
• Act as though you’re scared of water if you want to play a character who turns into a mermaid when wet.
• Learn to swim.

• Make sure your mermaid outfit complies with the school’s dress code.
• Don’t show too much skin when wearing your mermaid costume. Mermaids are known for being sweet and elegant, not overly seductive.