Are We All Secretly Sardine-Pilled? The Rise of the Fisherman Aesthetic in 2025

A fisherman navigates the clear blue waters in his traditional wooden canoe, skillfully rowing towards his next catch.

Tell me the truth—have you noticed sardines multiplying on Pinterest like they’re part of some divine maritime prophecy? Have you, against all logic, found yourself considering a sardine-shaped pouch? Because I have. And so has half the internet.

The fisherman aesthetic has quietly crept into our collective psyche, and now it’s everywhere—strappy leather sandals, chunky cable-knit sweaters, netted market bags (suspiciously resembling fishnets), and yes, sardine illustrations flooding our feeds.

But how did we get here? And why does a trend inspired by grizzled old men on the docks suddenly feel so chic? Let’s unravel this salty, sea-weathered phenomenon.

The Fisherman Aesthetic: What Is It, Really?

Reddit users dive into the "Fisherman Aesthetics" trend, discussing its growing influence in fashion and home decor, with mentions of stylish wardrobe pieces and popular tinned fish.

It’s the anti-trend that became a trend—a celebration of utilitarian workwear—practical, rugged, designed for survival—but romanticised and reinterpreted. This aesthetic isn’t about looking polished; it’s about looking lived-in, textured, and subtly nostalgic.

Key Pieces of the Fisherman Aesthetic:

• Fisherman Sandals – Strappy, structured, slightly ugly but in the most perfect way.

• Cable-Knit Sweaters – The chunkier, the better. It should look like you inherited it from a sailor grandfather you never had.

• Fish Bags (aka Sardine Market Bags) – Mesh, netted or literally shaped like a sardine can (Temu knows us too well).

• Sardine Tattoos – Because why not commit to the bit permanently?

It’s coastal nostalgia without being a coastal grandmother, quiet luxury without being too pristine, practicality with a sense of humour.

"Embrace the Fishermen Trend 2025: A blend of seafaring minimalism featuring cozy knits, straw hats, stylish footwear, and nautical-inspired accessories."

How Did We End Up Here?

1. Fishermen > Old Money?

Let’s be honest, "old money" and quiet luxury had us in a chokehold, but now? We need something grittier. Fisherman aesthetics retain the timeless appeal of well-worn luxury but add texture, imperfection, and a sense of adventure. It’s effortless, but in a ‘worn-in, lived-in’ way.

2. Maximalism Burnout

After seasons of dopamine dressing and hyper-feminine aesthetics, there’s a craving for something pared-back, rugged, and functional—but still visually interesting. The fisherman aesthetic is a reset, offering depth without excess.

3. The Sardine Effect

There is no logical reason why sardines have become aesthetic. And yet, here we are.Illustrations, ceramics, pouches, tote bags, tattoos—it’s a microtrend inside the macrotrend. Sardines are playful yet sophisticated, nostalgic yet modern. And somehow, we all want in.

Illustration of sardines in a tin by Sophi Digsmed, featuring vibrant printed watercolors on a postcard. ©ASD

Does Luffy Accidentally Embody the Fisherman Aesthetic? (Yes.)

Okay, hear me out—Luffy has been wearing fisherman-core before it was cool.

For those unfamiliar, Monkey D. Luffy is the main character of One Piece, a wildly popular Japanese manga and anime about a ragtag group of pirates sailing the Grand Line in search of the legendary One Piece treasure. But beyond the high-seas adventure, Luffy’s signature look is, quite literally, fisherman aesthetic personified.

Luffy from One Piece sits cheerfully, wearing his iconic straw hat and red vest, exuding his trademark adventurous spirit.

His woven straw hat, strappy sandals, and sun-bleached, relaxed clothing? He’s practically a walking Pinterest mood board for this aesthetic.

• The Straw Hat – The OG fisherman-core accessory, passed down to Luffy as a symbol of his journey.

• Loose-Fitting Shirts & Worn-In Shorts – Perfectly in line with breathable, practical fabrics that define this aesthetic.

• The Sandals – Not quite fisherman sandals, but they channel the same carefree, coastal energy.

And then there’s Nami, the navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates. Her early outfits—knitwear, breezy fabrics, and nautical colour palettes—fit seamlessly into the fisherman aesthetic, though with a slightly more polished, sailor-inspired touch.

Round up all the "Mugiwara" (Straw Hat Crew) because Luffy just made it into fashion.

Brands & Products Riding the Fisherman Aesthetic Wave

If you’re seeing sardine motifs and netted textures everywhere, it’s not just your imagination. Brands are leaning in hard, and the market is flooded (pun intended) with pieces that embody this aesthetic.

A fisherman in yellow waterproof gear organizes crates on the deck of a docked fishing vessel, preparing for the day's catch amidst nautical equipment and netting.

Where Fashion Meets Function: A Fisherman Edit

Footwear: The Fisherman Sandal Takeover

• The Row & Hereu – Sleek, understated fisherman sandals that whisper ‘old money fisherman.’

• Dr. Martens – Thick-soled, slightly grungy versions for an edgier take.

• Zara & Mango – More accessible versions for those testing the waters.

  
  

Bags: From Sardine-Inspired to Straight-Up Fish Nets

• LOEWE – Woven raffia bags that exude effortless, coastal chic—and cost as much as a week-long European getaway.

• Temu & AliExpress – Selling actual sardine-shaped pouches and totes (aka, where your money will inevitably go).

• Net Bags & Fishnet Totes – Once practical, now suspiciously fashionable.

  
  

Clothing: Fisherman Sweaters & Salt-Washed Fabrics

• Aran Knitwear & Sézane – Chunky, fisherman-approved sweaters that feel like you stole them from a hot sailor.

• Uniqlo U & COS – Minimalist fisherman-core in boxy, structured silhouettes.

  
  

The Sardine Print Takeover

• Jacquemus – Sardine-printed shirts and accessories that feel playful yet quietly luxurious.

• Etsy Artists – Selling sardine-illustrated tees, stickers, and home decor.

  
  

Will This Trend Last?

Maybe it’s just a phase. Maybe it’s the next wave of slow fashion disguised as a hyper-aesthetic movement. Either way, one thing is clear:

• Sardines are officially aesthetic.

• Fisherman sandals are unavoidable.

• And if Luffy ever models for Jacquemus, we’ll know this trend has gone too far.