Okay, Wow—Everyone Got the Mermaidcore Memo for the Oscars 2024

It's well documented that celebrities love dressing to a theme and last night's Oscars were a testament to that, as there seemed to be a common thread sewn into some of the best dresses of the evening.

For the 96th Academy Awards, actors pulled out all the stops having spent hours getting ready with their glam teams ahead of making their entrance on the red carpet. Our Editor in Chief, Hannah Almassi, analysed the looks on offer and proclaimed the 2024 Oscars to be one of the strongest in terms of fashion in recent years—and I have to agree with her! It was only when I had a moment to look back at the outfits that I've been madly writing about for the past few hours that I realised so many them leaned into one very particular aesthetic—mermaidcore.

From Emma Stone's Custom Louis Vuittion shell peplum gown to Lupita Nyong'o's lilac sequin number, so many stars looked like modern couture mermaids in their breathtaking gowns. While it might be a coincidence—A-list stylists keep their client's Oscars outfits under lock and key until the moment comes to actually put them on—looking at them, you'd be forgiven for thinking the below celebs pre-planned their outfits in some sort of elite Oscars 2024 WhatsApp group.

Scroll on to see the mermaid dress trend that dominated the Oscars 2024.

Oscars 2024 Red Carpet Mermaid Dress Trend

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Anya Taylor-Joy wears Dior Haute Couture and Jimmy Choo.

Oscars 2024 Red Carpet Mermaid Dress Trend

(Image credit: Getty Images)

America Ferrera wears a Versace chainmail dress.

Oscars 2024 Red Carpet Mermaid Dress Trend

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Emily Blunt wears a Schiaparelli gown.

Oscars 2024 Red Carpet Mermaid Dress Trend

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Emma Stone wears custom Louis Vuitton.

Oscars 2024 Red Carpet Mermaid Dress Trend

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lupita Nyong’o wears custom Armani Privé.

oscars

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Hailee Steinfeld wears Elie Saab Haute Couture.

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Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.