How to Wear Fishtail Skirts and Dresses

All the tips on how to wear fishtail skirts and dresses. Feel confident, elegant and beautiful while strutting the mermaid shape.

Fishtail silhouettes, also referred to as mermaid, are a very sexy and feminine way to show of your curves. For boyish figures, they are a great way to give the illusion of a small waist and fuller hips.

The silhouette also flatters hourglass type figures, but pear shaped figures beware! Fishtail skirts and dresses accentuate the hips and thighs (something pear shapes don’t need help in), so if you already have curves, you will draw major attention. If that’s your goal, then rock it!

This post is inspired by a reader´s question – “I need some inspirations on how to wear fish tails skirts and dresses” ~ Jane.

Fishtail Skirt to the Office

Fishtail skirts and dresses are usually worn for formal events, but they can also be worn at the office. Since fishtail skirts are very sexy, you have to be careful when wearing them to work. Be sure the length is appropriate and that the rest of the look is simple and professional. If you are already curvy, wear a blouse and/or jacket that draws attention to the top to balance out the look.

Fishtail Dress for A Fun Night Out

Mermaid style dresses are great for a night out on the town! They are sexy and flirtatious and you will be sure to turn heads when wearing one. To flatter the figure, add a belt. This will help cinch in the waist and give the illusion of a tiny waist and hourglass shape. Also, since fishtail dresses and skirts tends to be longer, wear tall shoes to give you height and elongate the legs. You will have your date drooling!

Formal Fishtail Skirt

People usually think of evening gowns and wedding dresses when it comes to fishtail silhouettes, but mermaid skirts can also be worn for formal attire. If you are bold enough to attempt this, be sure to pair the skirt with a complementing top that balances out the skirt (like the one above).

Since the skirt hugs to the hips tightly, make sure to get the right size and to have it tailored to fit you perfectly. If not tailored correctly, this silhouette can be disastrous, so do yourself the favor and get to a tailor or seamstress. When the fit and proportions are right, you will have everyone saying “va va voom!”

Fishtail for Evening Wear

The most popular way to wear a fishtail silhouette is with formal wear. A mermaid dress is glamorous and sexy and will have you feeling like a movie star. For your next formal event, consider wearing a mermaid gown. It’s not everyday that you get to get all dressed up, so why not indulge in the most feminine type of gown?

If you do choose a mermaid gown, I’ve got one word for you: SPANX. Fishtail gowns are not very forgiving, and depending on the fabric, they will show every lump and bump. Spanx will smooth everything out and help round out your curves in the right places.

Fishtail skirts and dresses are fun and flirty; however, the tips above will help you to wear the silhouette properly. I hope I gave you some inspiration and tricks so that you can rock this sexy look!

Fishtail Maxi Skirt

A long fishtail maxi skirt in black with fitting skirt and dramatic flare tail is always perfect to wear to evening parties. Partner it with a shirt blouse top that hits just around your first hip bone, and preferably with puff-sleeves, to really showcase your curves without leaving nothing to the imagination.

Complete the look with a crystal-logo metallic pumps, an heiress crystal-embellished clutch bag, and a pair of chandelier drop earrings.

Fishtail Skirt Midi

Although most fishtail midi-skirts are pencil skirts, your mermaid silhouette will standout if it has additional stunning details such as ruching. You can also play with bright colors, especially now that colorblocking of bright hues is coming back as a trend for spring.

Layer your bright colorblock with a houndstooth single-breasted suit jacket. Then finish the look with a Fory pointed toe boots, some rhinestone-embellished dangle earrings, and a quilted tote bag.

1. Beige and Nude Tones

If yours is a knitted long fishtail skirt, you can keep things warm by teaming it with a chic pull-over or fitted sweater. Opting for a turtleneck will really up its optic, and by layering the look with a knitted long-length cardigan you´ll add even more coziness to the outfit.

It´s important to remember that if your fishtail skirt is knitted, it´s almost impossible to tuck in a top without wrinkling or protruding beneath the skirt. So might as well go for a turtleneck thong bodysuit for a perfect skim of your behind. Because hey, this is what fistail is all away, giving glimpse to your perfect derriere.

Add a gathered-trim clutch bag, classic button down shirt, and an embossed crocodile effect ankle boots as needed.

2. Keep it casual

Although fishtail skirts are often very elegant and formal, you can also find a maxi or midi fishtail skirt that is made for casual, functional affiars. Choose a printed ruffled floral-print cotton-blend satin midi skirt. This one is available through net-a-porter.com.

3. Knits on knits

If you can find a knitted midi skirt in beige or brown, and with the perfect fishtail, your winter wardrobe is going to be very happy.

So notice how I kept almost the entire look in beige, nude and brown? This is to keep the outfit really elegant and to allow this long peacoat in plaid complement the subtleness of the look.

4. Dressing down your fishtail

What I love about this fishtail skirt is how easily you can dress it up or down. I have an exact similar fishtail skirt and I love wearing it with a three-quarters knitted blouse the just complete the elegance of the skirt. I often wear the look with a pair of silver and nude, pointed-toe pumps with really low-vamp. It is a really super stylish skirt with its pencil bias cut.

However, if you choose to wear the skirt casuall, simply add a t-shirt and a black strap toe sandal.

5. Fishtail midi skirt and t-shirt

You can easily wear a fishtail skirt to the office. As long as it´s of elegant length, you simply have to pair with a simple top that can be easily tucked in. Then add a pair of black pumps.

Elegant High Waist Mermaid Bodycon Midi Skirt

This plaid fishtail midi skirt is so elegant and all that you need to style it are simple pieces. For this look, I added a white fitting wrap top, a black handbag, and a black pair of high-heeled pumps.

How to Wear Fishtail Skirt to the Office in Summer

You can definitely wear a fishtail midi skirt to the office in summer. Simply choose a skirt in summer colors such as light pink, and with subtle prints such as tiny florals.

Pair your skirt with a basic white button-down skirt or a top with bow. Then add a pair of nude or beige strap heels.

Floral Elastic Waist Bodycon Ruffle Hem Chiffon Fishtail Skirt

A Satin Fishtail Skirt

High Waist Midi Skirt Fishtail Silky Satin Skirt Work Party Pencil Bias Cutting Skirt

For a very comfy summer look, try a satin fishtail skirt that will give you that airy, super light feel. Pair it with a cropped long sleeves top. But since the skirt is knee-length or midi depending on your height, you can also pair it with a silk spaghetti strap top.

How to wear a Fishtail Skirt in Winter

Fishtail skirts can also be worn in winter. Of course you´ll something in thicker fabric; but if you can find one, simply team it with your comfortable knitted sweater. You may need the sweater to be fitting so you can easily tuck it in.

And for your shoes, you can either opt for a pair of platforms high heels or a pair of ankle boots.

Fishtail Midi Skirt

Similar to the look above, this is an outfit that you can also wear in winter. Get a fishtail midi skirt in warm material, pair it with a knitted sweater, and complete with some chunky ankle boots or plaform shoes.

Textured fishtail midi-skirt. cutaway collar shirt. chunky sole ankle boots. wrap Ring. padded shoulder bag.

Go Retro.

Faux Suede Elastic Back Retro Work Fall Ruffle Hem Fishtail Midi Skirt

The fishtail silhouette is very old. And also your initial tendency is to make it look modern, you may also look just as glamorous if you opt for a retro look. So find a fishtail skirt in suede or corduroy to wear with a white knitted sweater and brown leather ankle boots.

How to wear fishtail: Fishtail Skirt Long

When it comes to denim fishtail skirts, you can either wear it sexy or edgy.

To look sexy, pair a high-waisted denim fishtail skirt with a crop top and flat sandals. But to look edgy, wear your denim skirt with leather and black.

Casual Stretch Waist Washed Denim Ruffle Fishtail Skirts Long Jean Skirt. Fishtail Jean Skirt.

How to Wear an Elegant Fishtail Skirt Long

If you´re fishtail long skirt is as massively elegant and beautiful as this and you wonder how to wear it, remember to juxtapose the beauty of your skirt with the simplicity of your top. So go for a simple white button-down shirt.

How to wear fishtail: Black and White

You will never go wrong with a black and white. So if you have a fishtail skirt long in black, match it with a white blouse and long bow tie and balloon sleeves. Then finish the look with some black high heels.

Bodycon Stretchy High Waist Party OL Fishtail Mermaid Long Skirt

Fishtail Midi Dress

When it comes to fishtail dresses, there´s really not much that you can do with the dress. You´ll have to wear it as is to show all its glory. You rarely layer and you barely mix and match. So what gives?

Well, for one … you´ll need to identity the reason why you´re buying a fishtail dress. Is it for a once-in-a-lifestyle event? A dress that you´ll gonna wear over and over again? Or something that you can easily dress down?

You´ll never go wrong with a black piece. All you have to do is change accessories and hair in order to change the look.

There are also plenty of beautiful printed fishtail dresses long that you can choose from. Norma Kamali makes many of these dresses at an affordable price.

How to wear fishtail: Short fishtail dress

It´s difficult to find a nice and elegant-looking short fishtail dress. I believe that since there´s not much line, the ruffles in the skirt are not able to really define that fishtail silhouette.

But anyways, if you happened to find a vividly colored short fishttail dress such as this, simple wear it with colors that will tone down the boldness of your dress.

Knee-length fishtail dress

Knee-length fishtail dresses often have a body con skirt; which means be prepared to show those curves, hips and derriere. Many of these dresses also have a retro appeal that are always elegant and sexy.

When wearing an attention grabbing knee-length fishtail dress, match it a pair of elegant pointed-toe pumps. Because even if your outfit is sexy, it´s sexy in an elegant. On the other hand, if you partner a bold fishtail dress with some equally bold high heels, the result screams trying-too-hard!

Rayon Halter Fishtail Bandage Party Dress and Cocktail Work Half Sleeve Bow Tie Party Dresses

Fishtail Dress for Plus Size

There are also beautiful fishtail dresses for plus size such as this Lace Bell Sleeves Pencil Dress Party Bodycon Fishtail Dress. Get sexy and embrace those curves with a figure-hugging dress showing off some really pretty long voluminous bell sleeves and laces.

Long fishtail dress

With long fishtail dresses, it´s really all about being confident with your figure. There´s no legs to distract the attention, rather this is about parading your hourglass silhouette. But what if you aren´t an hourglass? Well, then look for details that will fake that hourglass silhouette for a bit. For example, cascading ruffles on the side will give you an illusion of wider hips.

It´s also important to remember that long fishtail dresses almost always look good with sexy strap high heels. And when those legs with strap heels peek through the side slit, oh how teasingly adoring.