Rachel Flax’s New Year’s Eve mermaid outfit from Mermaids is pure kitsch and vintage glamour. Built around a shimmering blue fishtail skirt, a sculpted pink shell bustier, and shimmering gold layers, the look feels deliberately theatrical—like an eccentric mother threw together the most dazzling party outfit possible using whatever sparkle she could find.
Recreating this outfit is mostly about balancing the two distinct color halves: the ocean blues from the waist down, and the warm candy pinks and gold sequins up top. Because the film is set in the early 1960s, keeping the silhouettes bold and slightly retro gives the pieces the right period feel.
The Mermaid Tail Skirt
The bottom half centers on a floor-length blue mermaid skirt that hugs through the hips and thighs before flaring out at the knees. A stretch metallic or scaled print fabric works well here, giving the appearance of fish scales without restricting your stride. When selecting a skirt, verify that the knee area and lower flare have enough stretch so you can walk comfortably across a party floor or convention hall without taking tiny restricted steps.
The Shell Bustier and Bodice
Rachel’s bodice is bright pink and heavily structured, resembling stylized scallop shells across the chest. You have two solid routes for putting this together: a dedicated pink seashell top with molded cups, or a structured pink corset top that you can customize. If you start with a corset base, attaching lightweight craft shells or fabric-covered foam cups directly over the bust line creates that distinct novelty costume shape.
Layering the Gold Sequin Cardigan
Instead of leaving the shoulders bare, Rachel layers a gold sequin cardigan over the pink top. This piece pulls the whole outfit into holiday party territory. You can wear it buttoned loosely at the collar, worn open, or draped casually over your shoulders like a shawl. The metallic gold creates a fun contrast against the pink satin and blue scales, breaking up the sea-creature theme with vintage party sparkle.
Gloves, Crown, and Shell Details
Her arms are covered in blue sheer ruffled gloves that extend past the wrists, continuing the watery color palette up into the sleeves. Sheer mesh or organza gloves with ruffled cuffs give that light, fin-like texture without feeling heavy.
Up top, Rachel crowns her voluminous dark hair with an elaborate mermaid headband decked out in shells, pearls, and iridescent ribbon. You can weave additional lengths of iridescent ribbon through the headpiece or let thin streamers trail down into your hair. If you are styling a wig or your natural hair, tease it into high, bouncy curls with plenty of volume so the headpiece has a stable base to sit on without slipping backward.
Practical Assembly and Movement
Because this costume combines a narrow skirt with a slick sequined cardigan and smooth bodice materials, keep pinning in mind. A small safety pin securing the cardigan to the top of the corset straps prevents the heavy sequined knit from sliding off your shoulders during wear. Pair the skirt with low-profile heels or flat metallic sandals that tuck neatly beneath the hemline, keeping the floor-skimming fishtail clean and easy to manage throughout the night.
