Hot Girls Are Dressing Like Pirates I Fear

It's giving "yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum."

First, we had Coastal Grandmas, then came the Mob Wives and Tomato Girls. And while I'm loath to add another cutesily named aesthetic to the internet archives, I fear we are in the midst of a Pirate Girl Summer.

If your response to yet another niche fashion reference primed to go viral is more "argh, matey" than "shiver me, timbers," I understand and feel your pain. But considering the most recent outfits to make the rounds on Instagram saved folders and TikTok styling videos, I regret to inform you that it's happening.

Just last week, on July 14, Bella Hadid stepped out in a billowing top worthy of a ship captain with black capris well-cropped (to make for easy deck-swabbing, I assume), and beachy waves that could have easily been tousled by the salty sea air. This one outfit represents the culmination of months of similarly seafaring looks and thus ushered in the official start of Pirate Girl Summer.

Of course, Hadid isn't the only one serving yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum. All hands are on deck. Girls everywhere are saying "aye-aye, captain" to shipwrecked details and spending their hard-earned gold doubloons on first-mate fashion. Don't believe it? Turn your compass (and attention) towards the pirate queen of riding Instagram aesthetics like gusts of wind, Devon Lee Carlson. Never one to miss the moment, the Wildflower Cases founder posted an undeniably pirate-esque outfit to Instagram last month—complete with a hair bandana (presumably to better navigate the powerful currents of the Atlantic), a breezy white shirt that very well could've been made from the sail of a ship, and a pair of cutoff capris with which to walk (or not walk) the plank.

Sabrina Carpenter's much-discussed "Yoo-hoo, boys!" outfit at Vogue World in June also fits the bill if you consider Mr. Smee of Peter Pan fame an underrated fashion icon. Complete with nautical stripes and a matching hairpiece, the look would make any salty sailor proud. And at the Cannes Film Festival just a few weeks earlier, Iris Law looked quite literally washed up (in a chic way!), like she'd escaped banishment to a desert island, wearing an artfully tattered white dress and black leather belt with gold hardware (pirates for some reason love these) from YSL.

Even Laura Harrier's buzzy new collaboration with Reformation has pirate undertones. See this photo of Harrier in buried treasure gold hoops and a thick headband in the tradition of any seasoned mariner. The collection also includes a drapey deep V-neck and tied-not-buttoned shirt (pirates love to show some clavicle) to keep cool while sailing the high seas.

The main culprit behind this inexplicable sartorial movement, I suspect, is that many of this summer's buzziest fashion trends read very "extra from Pirates of the Caribbean" when paired together. The gold statement jewelry we all reach for come summer—especially the dangly, mismatched variety TikTok boys love to wear—isn't just a seasonal staple; it's also a show of how much pilfered treasure you have buried in caves along the coast. And if you jumped on the gold coin necklace trend like Hailey Bieber, especially when paired with a ruffled red pirate top and seashell bra, all you need is a pet parrot to look the part.

Similarly, the frilly white shirts, loose necktie blouses, and tiered skirts favored by buccaneers and 17th-century sailors alike are showing up on street style stars and shopping guides galore right now. Blame the boho resurgence if you must, but when paired with the controversial Y2K capri trend, there's more of a Captain Hook vibe happening than a Rachel Zoe one.

Finally, the kerchief's hostile takeover as this summer's trendiest accessory lent a briney, pirate flavor to many a cool girl outfit. Hunter Schafer's custom Prada look at Cannes, which included a cheeky exposed leg, swimsuit-esque bodysuit, and a matching white kerchief, inspired a full-on fashion mutiny. In the weeks after her red carpet appearance, the accessory materialized anywhere and everywhere like a black spot. I didn't know it at the time, but it was a harbinger of pirate trends to come.

Perhaps it's unintentional, but the past few months have witnessed many a hot girl outfit that belongs on Muppet Treasure Island. And despite my reservations, the pirate look has an unmistakable appeal. After all, Kiera Knightley has never looked better than dressed as a pirate on set (I will die on this hill).

Pirates prize comfort and breathable fabrics (how else are you supposed to climb to the crow's nest at high noon?), making their wares ideal for dressing in a heatwave. Plus, they have a flair for accessorizing that's unrivaled in the realm of historical bad guys—no one better understands the power of necklace layering and mismatched hoops. And give credit where credit's due: They were way ahead on the whole capri trend.

Finding unexpected fashion inspiration is like stumbling on buried treasure, and Pirate Girl Summer is about as random as it gets. And let's face it: Captain Hook kind of ate with that fluffy white shirt.

For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on InStyle.