Sister Styling Segment: Love It or Leave It

For the most part, I think of everyone in my life like a venn diagram. There are things we have in common, and things that are very different. For my sister and me, we have shared interests like sushi and wine (what if they’re mostly consumable haha), but we LOOK very different (spoiler alert: we’re adopted). My sister, Laura, is a different height, weight, body shape, complexion, and age than me. We have different hair styles (I don’t really have one other than long…), lifestyles, and clothing styles, but sometimes we LIKE the same thing and we just aren’t sure if it would look good on one, both, or neither of us!

Since I started my blog, there have been several instances where my sister reached out to get my opinion on whether or not something I was wearing in one of my photos would look good on her. I understand and appreciate that she and I are built differently, so this is the perfect opportunity to play DRESS UP in case YOU, too have wondered if a certain style, print, color, etc. would look good on your body type because it is different than mine.

I chose affordable options from a few different retailers so we could also compare fit. They are mostly basics and transitional pieces so we can start building our wardrobes with our eyes toward spring (unless you live in a place that is warm year-round…and in that case, I’m jealous!).

For reference, here is our general sizing info:

Katie

• Height: 5’2”
• Body Shape: petite/hourglass
• Tops: XS or 2
• Bottoms: 2 petite or 26
• Skirts: 0 or 25
• Dresses: XS or 2
• Shoes: 5.5 wide or 6 regular

Laura

• Height: 5’4”
• Body Shape: oval (she also said mom bod…and now I’m wondering why dad bods get all the attention?!)
• Tops: XL or 14
• Bottoms: 14 short (not petite) or 14 regular
• Dresses: XL or 14
• Shoes: 7.5 regular

Outfit 1

This outfit is from Old Navy and it is comfortable and affordable. I am wearing an XS top and 2 petite jeans. My sister is wearing an XL top and 14 regular jeans.

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We both LOVE (and kept) the sweater. I selected a couple striped tops since some folks think they cannot wear horizontal stripes (not universally true). The stripes on this sweater are thin, with good spacing between each stripe. This sweater comes in a few different colors and it is lightweight enough for spring and summer evenings. My sister loved that the sweater was long, especially in the back. BUY the stripes!

My sister liked and kept the jeans. She feels like they are stretchy, but not so stretchy that they will stretch out during wear. She is in the regular length, which translated to a higher rise and longer zipper panel as well. They fit her true to size and she loved the dark wash.

I am in the petite sizing and the zipper panel was short. I liked that they weren’t too long, but the rise was a bit off for me (short legs, long torso…). This is my true size and they fit me true to size. If you are in between sizes and petite, size up. Both pairs of jeans were a little looser at the hem than you’d expect in skinny jeans.

A dark wash with no distressing is a great option if you want your legs to look thinner and/or you don’t want them to be the focal point of the outfit. You might also find a wash like this more appropriate if you think age is a barrier to skinny jeans (I promise it’s not though!). YES, you can wear skinny jeans at ANY age or size.

Outfit 2

For this outfit, I paired the Old Navy jeans with this copper top from the Loft. My sister is wearing an XL in the top and I’m wearing an XS.

She was very nervous about this top because of the straight fit, puff shoulders, and cuffed wrists. I didn’t point out that this was also a color she wouldn’t normally pick haha. The shirt fit us both true to size. For something fitted at the bottom, I felt like it was a little long for me so I front tucked it. While the material is close to the body, it is thick enough to hide some lumps and bumps. The shirt also has some stretch. My sister was pleasantly surprised that she liked this top. We agreed that it would be a good “date night” outfit. It’s definitely my style and we both kept it. If you are self-conscious about tighter tops, wear a smooth tank underneath and/or make sure it is a substantial fabric that won’t cling to your skin. BUY the date night top!

Outfit 3

For a casual look, I paired the Old Navy jeans with SUPER affordable white sneakers and a solid color t-shirt from the Loft. Laura wore the navy shirt in an XL and I tried the olive shirt in an XS.

The material was soft, but a little thin. The shirt fit us both true to size, but it is a little boxy. My sister has an average length torso and it was not short on her, but she likes longer shirts to cover her tummy area. While I have super short legs, I have a LONG torso and this shirt was not only boxy on me but also fairly short. It looked best on me with a front tuck (which she refuses to do). My sister did not keep the t-shirt, but I kept mine because it’s a great basic in a neutral color. I tried it under a cardigan and with shorts and it looked good for spring and summer. WATCH the boxy tees if you aren’t willing to give it a little tuck!

The sneakers are a WINNER. They are from Walmart, so super affordable at less than $15. They come in wide, but not in a 5.5, so I went with a 6 regular and they fit great. I wear my fashion sneakers without socks. My sister wore her normal size 7.5. She has regular width feet and her true size fit perfectly, even with a thin sock.

These sneakers are all white except for a champagne metallic panel on the back. The tongue of the shoe is pretty thin, but you can’t tell once they are on. They are comfortable and good quality for the price. The insole is memory foam and there is quite a bit of cushion around the ankle area. These sneakers look great with jeans, shorts, dresses, and skirts. EVERYONE needs an everyday sneaker! They are perfect and practical for every lifestyle, age, or size.  

Outfit 4

I knew this outfit was going to be outside of my sister’s comfort zone, but the color of the top was so pretty and the oversized shirt trend has been very popular the past several months. I paired the Old Navy jeans and Walmart sneakers with a striped oversized long-sleeved t-shirt with a dropped shoulder. My sister is wearing an XL in this top, and I’m wearing an XS.

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The shirt had a boxy, oversized fit on both of us (and it’s supposed to!). It was VERY soft and comfy, which is probably what I liked best about it. My sister was very unsure about the shirt on the hanger, but once she threw on the jeans and sneakers, she loved this “mom on the go” look. This top is going to transition well into spring and summer. I think it would look great with white denim. It would be perfect to throw on for a boat ride or on a cool evening at a bonfire. It can be worn untucked or with a front tuck. We BOTH kept this one, oversized fit and all. Trendy pieces can be for EVERY body!

Outfit 5

I love button up shirts, but my sister never wears them.  My sister is wearing an XL in this top. I sized up to a S for a roomier fit and to prevent gaping at the bust.

My normal size XS fits, but I have to pin the bust buttons (which is what I normally do). My sister never wears button ups, but I LOVE them. I wear dressier ones for work and casual ones in the fall and winter. This chambray shirt is a great “gateway button-up” because it is SO soft and comfortable, and it can be worn over tops and dresses like a lightweight jean jacket. It fits true to size in the body and it is a great length.

This shirt is from Walmart and it is a steal of a deal. I styled mine with black skinny pants and loafers for a casual work look. My sister paired hers with sneakers, leggings, and a striped top for a casual look. She noticed some gaping at the bust when it was closed and she did not prefer the closeness of the shirt to the body. However, she found a way to wear it and it looked so CUTE. She could easily wear this look to a kids’ practice or game and even tie it around her waist if she gets warm. You may want to style it differently than me, but YES, you can wear a button-up.

I had a ton of fun dressing up my sister…now we just have to try not to show up to places in the same outfit! I linked these pieces (and many others) on my LTK profile.

What is a style you want to try? Is there something you want us to try?

Katie G.