Sister Styling Segment: Spring & Summer Trends
Hi, friends! The weather has been touch and go for a few weeks, but we had some beautiful spring/summer weather this weekend. This means that it is time for spring and summer clothes! A few months ago, my sister and I did a sister styling segment so you could see pieces I picked for myself on someone else. I know that some of you are a different size, age, complexion, body shape, etc. than me and I want to help YOU as much as I can. My sister still regularly asks if something I’m wearing or something I post would look good on her…so we are putting it to the test AGAIN.
For this styling segment, I told her that we were going to try popular spring/summer trends to see if they look good on either of us. I warned her that these are styles that are popular, and not things I would necessarily just pick for myself OR HER. She still said she was IN (even after I told her bodysuits are SUPER popular right now haha).
Most of these trends are considered “fast fashion”, so I chose pieces that were trendy, but also super affordable. I chose 8 popular items and styled them into 5 different outfits.
General Size Information
Katie
- Height: 5’2”
- Body Shape: petite/hourglass
- Tops: XS or 2
- Bottoms: 0/2 petite or 26 petite
- Skirts: 0 or 25
- Dresses: XS or 2
- Shoes: 5.5 wide or 6 regular
Laura
- Height: 5’4”
- Body Shape: oval
- Tops: XL or 14
- Bottoms: 14 short (not petite) or 14 regular
- Dresses: XL or 14
- Shoes: 7.5 regular
Trends
These are the 8 trends I styled below:
- Bodysuits
- Paperbag shorts
- Loungewear sets
- Botanical graphic tees
- Non-skinny jeans (boyfriend, straight, etc.)
- Plastic footbed buckle sandals
- Smocked dress or top
- Kimonos
Outfit 1
Both pieces in this outfit are from Amazon. I am wearing a size medium bodysuit and size small shorts. Oops-I meant to size up one in the bodysuit (to a small), but I accidentally ordered a medium. I sized up one in the shorts so they wouldn’t be too tight on my stomach area. My sister is wearing a size XXL in the bodysuit and size XXL in the shorts. I ordered her one size up in both of these pieces because of the fitted styles.
Bodysuits
Surprisingly, we both loved the look and fit of the bodysuit. My bodysuit fit in the bust, but it was too big in the waist and below. With a bodysuit you want it to tuck nicely into bottoms and mine bunched up and didn’t fit against my body in my shorts. I plan on exchanging it for a small…but I’m going to own a bodysuit!
My sister’s bodysuit fit perfectly and I’m glad that I ordered her one size up. She loved how easy it was to tuck in for layering, but she did struggle with the snaps. She mentioned that it might be VERY difficult if she really needed to use the restroom! The bodysuit was a very soft material with a lot of stretch. This bodysuit comes in a TON of different colors. Neither of us would have ever picked out a bodysuit, but it is SO nice if you ever want to tuck anything in. I am looking forward to wearing it with skirts. You may be surprised by the usefulness of a bodysuit! She KEPT IT!
Paperbag Shorts
For me, the style of the paperbag shorts is much cuter than I anticipated. I wear pencil skirts frequently for work, so the higher waist and tucked in top look is not too far outside of my comfort zone. However, I was worried that all the extra fabric at the waist, including the bow, would add weight to my midsection. Instead, the waist detail and bow just added extra personality to the shorts. They were dressier than regular shorts so I was able to pair them with a dressier sandal. I did not end up keeping these shorts though because I did not like the color. It was too close to my skin tone and I felt like they were also a bit too short. I ordered one size up so the elastic waist would be comfortable and that part worked perfectly.
My sister had an opposite thought and wondered if the extra fabric and bow at the waist might distract from extra weight in her midsection. She was worried about wearing a look that was tucked in and so close to the body. She actually ended up liking the look of the outfit from the front. Her main complaint was that the fabric of the shorts showed everything on her back side. Neither of us kept these shorts, but we both actually liked the style. This trend can definitely WORK on slimmer and fuller body types. We think ordering them in a darker color would be much better.
Outfit 2
For this outfit, I ordered coordinating loungewear sets. I am wearing the grey version in a small. My sister is wearing the pink version in an XL.
Loungewear
Since the start of the pandemic, lounge sets have been SUPER popular. Many folks are probably ready to get out and start wearing “real” clothes, but lounge sets are still a popular and easy option. This set is much more affordable than others on the market. It is a good choice for spring/summer because the material is lightweight and soft, and it comes with a long-sleeved top and shorts.
I am wearing a small because there was no XS available. The set is big on me, but this is probably ok for loungewear. The sleeves and drawstring were particularly long. The shirt was a little short/boxy on my long torso, so I did do a front tuck with the top. I was happy that the shorts had a wide waistband that did not cut into my body.
My sister loved the lounge set. Before she put it on, she was worried that a whole outfit in one print would be too much on her body type. However, she liked the print, color, and fit. It helped that it was a top and shorts versus pants. She said that the sleeves were long on her top as well. She appreciated that the pieces were not skin tight. Fun loungewear sets are NOT just for the very young!
Outfit 3
For a casual look, I paired a boyfriend fit jean with a botanical t-shirt and plastic footbed buckle sandals. I am wearing a size 2 in the denim, a size small in the t-shirt, and size 3 youth in the sandals. Laura is wearing a size 14 in the denim, a size XXL in the t-shirt, and a size 5 youth in the sandals.
Botanical Graphic Tee
Graphic t-shirts have been back in style for a couple years now. Right now, most of the ones I see are either wildflower/botanical or band tees. Most band tees just aren’t my style because I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing a band tee unless I was a fan of the music. So, for this graphic t-shirt trend, I picked out some cute botanical t-shirts from Amazon.
We both liked the look and fit of the t-shirt. I ordered one size up for each of us so there would be room in the bust and some extra length. I front tucked mine and my sister left it loose for more coverage. This trend definitely works on any size or age. This t-shirt would look super cute with a kimono or bright cardigan. I kept the t-shirt because I love the flowers and I don’t have many graphic tees. My sister decided not to keep hers because she has a lot of other graphic tees.
Boyfriend Jeans
The jeans. Well. They are a boyfriend fit, so they have big back pockets and they are roomy through the thighs and legs. My sister LOVED the jeans and wore them out of my house after the try on session. She loved the rise, the wash, that they were causal, and she liked the way her backside looked. She usually wears skinny jeans and was pleasantly surprised that a different style of jeans worked really well for her body type.
I really wanted to try this trend because it is SO popular right now. Almost every younger person I see is wearing loose, wider leg denim. However, the jeans looked awful on me! My husband hated them and he rarely dislikes the clothes I buy. This loose style just doesn’t work well on a petite frame. I have very short legs and narrow hips and these jeans just hung on me. They weren’t a good fit or length on me…and they definitely didn’t make my backside look good! I was happy that they were a midrise, which is my preferred rise on denim, but they just weren’t flattering. If you are bigger and/or taller than me, BOYFRIEND jeans might work for YOU!
Plastic Footbed Buckle Sandals
The sandals were a WINNER for both of us. I know I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, check out the youth section if you have a women’s shoe size of 8 or smaller! I often find great deals and fun styles in the youth department. Many brands go up to a youth size 6, which is approximately a women’s 8. These sandals (like many footbed sandals) run a little larger. I typically get a size 3.5-4 in youth sizes, but the size 3 fit perfectly in these. My sister typically buys a youth size 5 or 6, so I got her the smaller size and they were also a great fit.
These sandals are very popular, especially with the younger crowd. I just bought my nephew a pair of similar Birkenstocks for his birthday and they cost nearly $50. There are plenty of cheaper versions at Walmart, Target, and on Amazon. I only paid $9.99 a piece for these and they are very good quality for the price. They are perfect for rainy summer weather, the beach, and the pool. We were afraid they would not be comfortable and/or that they would look too young for us, but we liked the fit and the color is very pretty.
Outfit 4
I knew this dress was outside of my sister’s comfort zone, but I couldn’t wait for her to try it on. I am wearing an XS and she is wearing an XL.
ALERT, smocking detail is back on trend! If you are looking for spring and summer clothes, I guarantee that you will see a smocked dress, top, romper, or jumpsuit. It is a cute detail and CAN be flattering if it is done right. When my sister dresses up, she almost always wears something solid black and long (even though she loves pink). This floral dress has a smocked top that actually isn’t too tight or narrow, the dress has pockets, AND it’s NOT too short.
Smocked Dress
My sister ended up keeping this dress (and I hope she wears it for our Mother’s Day brunch!). This dress was way outside of her comfort zone, but it was so cute and flattering. She was most surprised that she liked this piece. She said the fabric is light, but not see through. Laura was happy with the length and the fit at the bust. She felt like it was versatile and she could dress it up with heels or down with sandals or sneakers. She preferred wearing the sleeves up. This dress defined her bust and waist and covered areas she is self-conscious about. This is your reminder to try something NEW!
I have tried smocked tops and dresses before, but they are almost always too tight at the bust. When this happens, ALL you see is bust. I was happy that the smocked top of this dress was a bit looser and extended beyond the bust in both directions. I preferred the sleeves off shoulder and I loved the print, pockets, and length. That being said, the dress fit big on me in the waist and hips. The fuller skirt also added some weight to my hip area. The fit was much more flattering on my sister and I did not keep this one. When she saw these dresses on the hanger, she was sure I would keep it and she wouldn’t…but she was wrong! Could you be wrong about smocking too?!
Outfit 5
For this outfit, I am wearing the medium bodysuit again, a medium kimono, and a size 2 in the denim. My sister is wearing the XXL bodysuit again, an XL kimono, and a size 14 in the denim.
Kimono
Two or three weeks ago, my sister asked me if I thought she could wear a kimono. YES, DUH! They are such a versatile piece of clothing and they are ALL OVER right now. You can easily pair them with jeans, capris, shorts, dresses, and swimsuits. We both loved and kept this kimono. It is really pretty and super affordable. It does not come in anything smaller than a medium, but kimonos fit very “one size fits most”. We paired the kimonos with the bodysuit, but you could wear it over a regular t-shirt instead. I could see my 11 year old niece in this kimono and also my mom, so I think it would work for any age, style, size, or body shape. This trend WORKS!
Straight Jeans
These jeans were our other “non-skinny” trendy denim. They had a high rise, straight leg, and button fly. They also come in tall and plus sizing. I was worried about this style of jeans for both of us-ha. Neither of us wear high rise jeans. My sister rarely tucks anything in, and high-rise denim cuts into my stomach and makes me uncomfortable. These jeans THOUGH. My sister did not end up keeping them (because she kept the other pair), but this outfit worked SO WELL for both of us. My sister said she would wear them for a special event, but they are not a daily jean for her. Even though they were high rise, they had some lycra in them so they had some stretch. They had a raw hem and were a great length on both of our frames. This was our favorite outfit of the day!
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! What is a trend you want us to try?
Katie G.