Every passing fashion fad seems to get a ‘core’ suffix these days. We’ve had cottagecore. We were there for balletcore, coquettecore and Barbiecore (ok, we may have been bystanders for the latter two, but still). Other cores you could have aligned yourself with in recent times include Regencycore (thanks Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte), fairycore and even goblincore, amongst a variety of others. And, courtesy of Disney, we’ve also had mermaidcore thrown into the mix lately too. But of course.

With all of these looks, there is usually one take-away we love, as opposed to buying into a whole vibe. And in the case of mermaidcore, that take-away is shell jewellery. It’s everywhere and we do love it so. Not only does it transport us to the coast, it also takes us straight to the bucket-and-spade holidays of childhood. These are the pieces we’re loving right now.

By Nancy Alsop
August 2023