This summer’s snack craze? Sardine Girl Summer. After Tomato Girl motifs, mermaidcore, and coastal grandma made sea-themed style go viral, sardines are stealing the spotlight. Thanks to TikTok and Instagram, they’re shedding their once-polarizing rep. Now, sardines are making waves rather as a nutrient-rich food linked to brain and heart health than as quirky icons. Sardine-core is splashing into fashion too, with fish-shaped accessories and Mediterranean picnic aesthetics popping up in style and beauty. Read on to discover the sun-soaked, slippery trend taking over summer.

Leading the vibe – Staud’s viral Tommy bags, specifically “Staudine” bags—from a small beaded purse, to a clutch that resembles a tin of sardines. Watercolor caviar prints and sea creature graphic tees, such as those featuring shrimp and oysters, are joining the wave alongside the bags. Seafood-inspired fashion has become a must-have for beach weddings, getaways, and TikTok hauls alike.

Designers like Rachel Antonoff and Damson Madder dove in with matching sets and hand-painted dresses, while fish motifs have become the hottest update in jewelry. At a recent Schiaparelli show, Daniel Roseberry upped the drama with a long, gilded fish skeleton earring, its tail wrapped around a pearl. After debuting the Sardine Bag in 2022, Matthieu Blazy’s final Bottega Veneta collection featured gold-plated fish earrings with pearl bodies and agate eyes. While high street brands brim with seafood motifs, Clare offers accessible options like sweatshirts, tees, keychains, and charms.

The jewelry choices truly reflect the appreciation of sardines – from stud earrings in vintage gold to a matching bracelet and a colorful cobalt sardine necklace.

Fins up, tins open

Fashion girls and boys are also swapping the fisherman aesthetic for actual fish! Although the fishy TikTok trend looks primarily aesthetic, cold-water fish offer real health benefits. Sardines offer as rich a history as they are bursting with flavor. These small fish have gained tremendous popularity and accessibility worldwide. Once seen as a humble pantry staple, sardines gained popularity during the Great Depression and World War II. That history may help explain their current resurgence.  While small fish raise eyebrows in the US, sardines and anchovies enjoy a reputation as everyday staples in the Mediterranean.  In Portugal, sardine season runs from May to October, making them a beachside favorite. Typically grilled and served with potatoes, bread, and salad, they represent the ultimate summer meal. Packed with Omega-3s, vitamin D, and coastal-chic appeal, sardines are becoming a must-have for wellness-savvy eaters.

Speaking of Portuguese sardines, the global brand Portuguese Sardine has found a home in Times Square and beyond. Their website features bold ideas, like sardines with mustard, along with tabs for Sustainability, Health & Well-being, and Recipes. One standout? A simple sardine puff pastry topped with red pepper jam. Fishy, fun, and surprisingly chic.

Symrise realizes that as fish have become more popular, stocks are dwindling. For this, Symrise offers a range of fish and seafood taste solutions for delicious vegan applications. From natural fish to plant-based products, Symrise crafts delightful taste experiences by enhancing the umami flavor in seafood.  Whether from the sea or the field, the future of fish offers plenty of flavor and innovation!

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