Expert Styling Tips: How To Wear The Spring Summer Trends

It’s not only for the Spring Summer trends, but being trendy in general gets a bad wrap for midlife women. When I encourage my personal styling clients to replace their skinny jeans with a wider silhouette they worry, and think things like:

“Do I look like I’m trying too hard to be young?”

“Will people think I’m a slave to fashion?”

“What if I keep wearing the trend and then it goes out of style? Will I be outdated?” 

Their concerns are valid, particularly since many are participating in the trend for the second or third time.

How To Wear The Spring Summer Trends

But trends are a powerful way to update your look. An outfit that’s tastefully adorned with trends can convey the message, “I’m open to new ideas, and I know what’s going on around me.”

The key is to be sure that you’re wearing the trend, and not the other way around. So if you attend a dinner party, you are remembered as the woman with the engaging personality who looked great in the cutout dress. Not the woman who exposed her midriff in the cut-out dress, and there was no comment on who you are as a person.

The good news — things have changed since the old days. Remember when the latest trends were only revealed to a select group of fashion insiders who attended the previews and shows? Now anyone with an internet connection can google “Top 10 Spring Summer Fashion Trends” if they want the low down of what’s in-store this season.

But knowing the trends is only the starting point. If cut-outs are “in” this season, it doesn’t mean you should run out and buy yours today.

That’s why I’m sharing how to wear the spring summer trends so that you feel comfortable in your clothes and confident about how you look.

Spring Summer 2022 Trends That Suit Your Style

So you’ve got your list of the latest trends. Either you found them on google, read this blog, or you’ve been in the stores to see what’s shown front and center. The next step is to assess which ones to wear. This starts by knowing your style personality. When you have this clarity it’s much easier to sort through the trends and determine which ones are right for you. This also ensures that the new trends blend easily with the rest of your wardrobe. 

For example, if your style is romantic, the crochet trend will flow well with your taste.

Party girl or whimsical style types will love the bold prints and bright colors that are all over right now.

Timeless style types will feel at-home in monochrome looks, particularly in all-white or neutral tones.

Sidenote: If you easily fall into one style type don’t assume you can’t crossover into another. My “Timeless” styling client has branched into romantic pieces as the weather warmed up. She’s now a mix of “Timeless romantic.”

Once you know your style personality, cross off the trends that don’t match. (If you need to know your style type, go here to take the free quiz.)

Complimenting Your True Beauty With The Trends

Now you have narrowed down your trend list to those that go with your style personality. Next you need to know which ones compliment you best. This is about choosing pieces that highlight your natural beauty.

Color is important because not every hue will suit you. For example, you won’t see me sporting Pantone’s color of the year, Veri Peri.

If I loved the tone and wanted to incorporate it in my look, I’d place it far away from my face. Handbags, pants and shoes are good ways to wear colors that don’t harmonize with your natural beauty.

On the contrary, coral was everywhere in Soho NYC last week, and I’ll wear this! It’s super complimentary for women with warm skin tones as well as those who have cooler tones and dark skin.

Generally, bright colors are big this season. This suits those with higher contrast between their skin, hair and eyes. So if you’ve got light eyes and dark hair, or dark skin that’s in high contrast to the white in your eyes, bright colors are for you!

Need help determining which colors compliment you best, here’s a post to help you get started.

Your potential trend list should narrow down quite a bit based on your style personality and the colors that compliment you best.

 

Next, it’s time to see what you already own. It’s no surprise that fashion trends constantly recycle which means there’s a good chance you already have some in your wardrobe! For example, wide leg pants. I bought these (shown above) in 2019 and I’m excited to keep wearing them this summer.

Another trend you may have previously bought into is the white sneaker. We’ve been seeing them for years, and they’re still the most popular style. I love when they anchor a feminine dress for a sporty and romantic vibe, or provide contrast to a tailored look.

The beauty of owning a recycled trend is that you’ve already done the legwork — you decided it’s right for you. Be mindful, however, if your taste has changed since the last time around. I love the flat-form shoes that still sit in my closet from years ago. But the bold prints don’t do it for me anymore.

Outgrowing a trend is a normal part of your style evolution. It’s when you continue to wear something that’s no longer YOU because it’s “in style.” This is how you end up feeling like you’re trying too hard.

–Elysha Lenkin

Elysha Lenkin is a personal fashion stylist who helps women look current, feel confident and stay true to themselves. For over 20 years she’s styled hundreds of women in all shapes, ages and sizes including Carrie Underwood, Tina Fey and Serena Williams. Join her free challenge to Reclaim Your Style and Find Your Signature here.

You may like to read more of Elysha’s styling posts like Expert Tips: How To Score Big Shopping Vintage Fashion and Am I Too Old To Wear That Trend? 3 Questions To Ask.

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Runway photos at the top (from left to right): Alberta Ferretti, Christian Dior, Jil Sander and Alexander McQueen, SS2022, Vogue.com

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