The Celeb-Approved Fisherman Aesthetic Has Everyone Hooked, but Is It Work-Appropriate? These 4 Outfits Prove It Is

Let us take a deep dive into social media’s latest fashion obsession, shall we?

Last month, after I committed to dressing up like a Polly Pocket doll for work, I made it my mission to experiment with internet-viral aesthetics to find out what really makes my personal style sing, and then report my findings to our stylish PEOPLE readers in the hopes they’d take away some tips or inspiration.

Itching to experiment with the latest in Spring fashion and on the hunt for my next assignment, one seasonal trend called out to me the most — the Fisherman Aesthetic.

For context: I hate boats (seasickness is so not fun) and the thought of actually fishing? Wouldn’t touch it with a 10-foot pole (there’s a bit of lakeside humor for you). However, I do love a nautical-inspired outfit that gives the illusion that I might get on a boat, which is why this movement, similar in some ways to the celeb-loved “Coastal Grandma” fad but a bit more menswear-inspired, sparked my intrigue.

Celebrities like Katie Holmes and Gwyneth Paltrow (who’ve proven to be big fans of the fisherman sandal) have looked to the trend for everyday inspiration way before it even had a kitschy name. And it turns out that this sub-category is set to make waves this season, according to Pinterest’s 2025 fashion and beauty predictions.

Kenzie Welch, a fashion stylist and trend expert for Kohl’s with over 1 million followers on TikTok, also tells me she’s seeing an “increased appetite for casual, coastal dressing” among her clients who are looking for styles that are “easy, comfortable and effortless.”

As someone who loves all of the above and loves to be stylish on top of that, I put the aesthetic to the test at the office. My findings: The trend looks just as good against a cubicle setting as it does on the dock. Scroll to see the looks.

Wearing denim to an office used to be taboo, but thankfully not anymore. If you know me IRL, you’d know that I have a Canadian tuxedo moment almost once (if not twice) a week, so of course when I found out the Fisherman Aesthetic involved lots of denim work, I opted for a denim-on-denim outfit with a maritime feel, which was definitely accomplished thanks to my cableknit sweater and espadrilles.

When you’re channeling a nautical vibe, stripes are a must and, personally speaking, the most fool-proof way to wear the bold pattern is a Brenton shirt (or otherwise known as a shirt with navy and blue stripes). Because Welch also advised layering a utility coat on top, I chose a cropped navy trench, which, let me tell you, is a closet lifesaver for anyone in the under-5-foot club like myself.

I asked Welch how to seamlessly incorporate the trend into my existing work wardrobe, and she suggested that, instead of overhauling my entire closet, I could lean into specific elements while formulating my “professional look.”

For me, that meant going in hard on the stripes and utility outerwear. I felt like this collared long-sleeve and anorak really leaned into the aesthetic, while my frilled denim skirt made the outfit transitional for whatever plans I had going for my 5-9 after my 9-5. Boat shoes, one of Welch’s must-haves, are the perfect mix of dressy and casual (plus, something I plan on outfit recycling with my summer outfits).

The Fisherman Aesthetic doesn’t have to be completely “yo-ho” (meaning, it doesn’t have to automatically be rough around the edges). That’s why I wanted to style this lace collar dress.

In my research on the trend, I found that a lot of the cool fashionistas balance more feminine pieces with masculine ones (like boat shoes and trousers). So, to switch things up, I experimented with the dress-over-pants trend by layering those same beige bottoms underneath. Of course, I had to top the look off with a canvas tote bag — all that was missing in it was my hook and rod!