Sarah's Silks Large Sea Mermaid Tail

It is a full-length tail measuring 30 inches, sewn from Jacquard silk. The elastic waistband stretches over a 20 to 27.5 inch waist and fits most five to seven year olds. The generous length lets an older child walk, twirl and pose while the silk flows behind like a fin gliding through water.

The Sea colorway is hand-painted in ocean blues and greens that call to mind deep water. Since each tail is painted by hand, the exact blend shifts a little from piece to piece. Pair it with a matching Sea play silk worn as a top wrap or head scarf to finish the underwater look.

The tail pulls on over clothing thanks to the stretchy elastic waist, so a child can dress without help. The elastic keeps the waist snug during movement, and the silk does the rest, draping into a tail shape as they walk. There are no fastenings to fuss with.

Children use it for open-ended sea play, imagining themselves swimming beside dolphins, turtles and whales. Some glide across the floor, some hold court as a goddess of the sea, and others invent their own underwater stories. Because nothing about the tail dictates a single script, the direction of play stays with the child.

Hand-wash it in cool water with a gentle soap, then reshape and hang to dry away from strong sun. Avoid machine washing, wringing and harsh cleaners so the hand-painted blues stay vivid. A quick press on a medium iron can bring back the natural shine if the silk looks creased.

No two are exactly alike. The Sea color is applied by hand, so the way the blues and greens fall varies across every tail. Small differences in shade and pattern are a normal sign of hand-dyed silk and give each piece its own look rather than pointing to a defect.