The History of Lobster in Fashion
Lobster first entered high fashion in 1937 when Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli collaborated with Salvador Dali to create the lobster dress. The gown featured a large painted lobster stretching from the waist down the skirt, surrounded by parsley sprigs. Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, wore it in a Vogue photo shoot that year. The original dress sold at auction for over 1.2 million dollars in 2019. That single piece established lobster as a legitimate fashion motif that designers have returned to ever since.
Thom Browne, the American designer known for his tailored shrunken suits, has used lobster imagery across multiple collections since 2018. His Spring 2019 show featured models carrying wire lobster traps as handbags. He said in a 2021 interview that he grew up catching lobsters off the coast of Maine and uses the animal to represent American craftsmanship in his work.
The most widely worn lobster fashion item is the lobster clasp, named for its resemblance to a lobster claw. It became the standard fastener for jewelry chains in the mid-20th century and remains the most popular clasp type today, used in over 80 percent of necklaces and bracelets according to the Jewelers of America trade organization. For a detailed look at how lobster clasps work and the different types available, our lobster clasp guide covers every option.
Lobster Dresses, Sweaters, and Hats
Lobster print dresses have become a summer staple for coastal fashion. Brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines, and Tommy Bahama release lobster-themed collections annually. A Lilly Pulitzer lobster print shift dress runs about 200 dollars and typically sells out within weeks of release each spring. The brand has been producing lobster prints since the 1960s and considers it one of their signature patterns.
Lobster sweaters are a year-round wardrobe item in New England. The classic cable-knit lobster sweater features an embroidered or intarsia-knit lobster on the chest. L.L.Bean and Ralph Lauren both produce versions, with the L.L.Bean lobster sweater priced at 90 dollars and available in five colors. The Ralph Lauren version runs 200 dollars and uses a finer merino wool blend.
Lobster hats range from practical fisherman-style bucket hats to novelty baseball caps. The most popular is the classic fisherman’s hat from the Maine-based company Coldwater, which features a embroidered lobster on a cotton twill cap for 28 dollars. Lobster hats are one of the top-selling souvenir items in Maine, with over 50,000 sold annually according to the Maine Office of Tourism.
Lobster Jewelry and Earrings
Lobster-themed jewelry is a significant niche in coastal jewelry markets. Lobster earrings come in two main styles: detailed silver or gold lobster studs and dangling lobster charm earrings. Maine artist Sarah Murphy of Portland-based shop Little Fish Jewelry handcrafts sterling silver lobster earrings that sell for 65 dollars per pair. Her designs have been featured in Coastal Living magazine and she produces roughly 500 pairs per year.
Lobster keychains and lobster purse charms are popular affordable options. A brass lobster keychain from the Maine-based company Sea Bags costs 18 dollars and is one of their top-selling items. Lobster necklaces range from simple lobster pendants on silver chains to elaborate pieces featuring lobster claw clasps. The lobster purse charm, a small metal or enamel lobster that clips onto a handbag, has become a trending accessory on TikTok with the hashtag #lobsterpurse accumulating over 2 million views.
For those who prefer their lobster on a plate rather than around their neck, our lobster cooking guide covers every way to prepare lobster at home.
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