7-19-2026 MY INSPO: style icon - squid

in the ocean of scrolls, i dove deep into the profile of squid, an artist that dresses like fish. i was enamored by the number of layers and color are styled, and each one kind of works, in a fun strange way. squid describes how each layer and color plays into a colorful or tropical fish anatomy, almost biologically accurate.

below are some examples of how squid dresses like fish:

amanda's flasher wrasse

galaxy koi betta
this is the first video i discovered

blue star leopard wrasse
reminds me of a grace jones look

harlequin filefish

rainbow sea slug

rainbow trout

naturally, i got inspired to try and do a hypothetical styling based on fish. i only know one type of fish, which is a blue betta fish, and that's because sib and i owned one a couple years ago, called swimothy (rest in peace)

a fully blue base, with a flowy blouse underneath this asymmetrical helmut lang dress. possible extra layering added with a blue floral skirt with a bit of frill at the hem. denim purse with a brown strap for a subtle pop of other color, as well as red flats as this fish and swimothy had traces of crimson. blue jewelry as a finishing touch.

i asked fiancé for more fish species. he knows a thing or two about fish, as his father is an avid fisher and fiancé enjoys reeling in legit catches on a day off (when he's not reeling in instagram videos). he focused less on the tropical neon ones squid tends to use as inspo but rather gave me predominantly native ohio fishes. check out this fashion school of freshwater references. what's your ideal catch?

 

rainbow trout - okay, squid and i both did this one.
polka dot gold dress to match the shimmer. a neon pink silky blazer. black strappy heels with gold hardware. valentino sunnies mimicking the pattern on the trout, as well as the ring! perfectly fitting fish necklace, pink heart earrings, and a tropical purse with subtle green details.

bluegill
a gold armani top paired with an abstract green, blue, brown maxi skirt. asymmetrical, blue-toned converse, ray-bans that match super well with the bluegill's iridescence. yellow bandana for the pop of color, more jewelry with metallic finish, and a navy uniqlo bag.

mola mola sunfish
this bizarre fish is an ocean fish, one of the boniest in the world. and most bizarre looking if you ask me.
an ivory strapless dress paired with sneakers with subtle silver details and almost scaly finish. uniqlo cream bag, a cream beany, pearl earrings and an opal ring alongside silver cuff.

northern pike.
snakeskin print top layered on a tiered minidress in cream. the fins are stripy, so i added these gianni bini wedges that have striped details. a patchy tote with colors that could mimic iridescence, and a cream hat to match the full look. gold and brassy jewelry to tie in the fish shine. 

rock bass. 
mentioned by fiancé because of its "weird red eyes". a leopard print diane von furstenburg wrap dress, paired with gold and blue sunnies with gold hardware, mimicking the subtle blueness. striped woven heels and a blue ribbon with green and yellow florals. vintage navy purse with brassy and tortoise-shell hardware. i don't have red earrings, that would've been a cool way to reference the red eyes, so i just added most of my other red jewelry 

yellow perch.
a bright yellow top paired with a striped maxi skirt. a scarf to add the stripe detail and burnt orange heels like the perch's bottom fins. oscar de la renta sunnies, and some silver jewelry to match the top fins.

silver perch
a fairy easy color combo, mainly grey and silver details. the skirt with pleated hem to match the fins, and some metallic accessories (shoes, purse) for the shiny scaliness. gold jewelry added as there's some gold dimension if you peak closely.