Springtime Floral Patterns, Comfortable Tie-Waist Dresses and Shirts, Colorful Sandals

It’s amazing to realize it’s May already! I’m sure you’re ready for the long, sultry days and nights of summer to arrive. It’s time to get the barbecue dusted off, the outdoor dishes and margarita pitcher out of the pantry, put the cushions on the patio furniture, and plant huge bowls of colorful flowers. All the preparations you need for outdoor dinner parties!

What to wear on those long, warm evenings that seem to stretch on forever? If you haven’t discovered the comfort and ease of dresses, tie-waist shirts and tees, wrap shirts, and flowy pants, get ready for a treat!

As you know, style is something so individual — we know it when we feel it! Style is all about having a point of view. Style is confidence. Style is timeless. That said, it’s really nice to add a few trendy pieces to your wardrobe each season so you can have some fun with style and interject new energy into your wardrobe! Here are some steps to take when looking at this season’s trends.

Step 1: Shop Your Closet

I’m a huge believer in the economy and ease of shopping your closet BEFORE you go shopping. You’d be surprised how many times I go into a woman’s closet and pull out a perfectly lovely piece and the woman is completely shocked that she has it in her closet – she forgot purchasing it last year! It was buried in the back of her closet so she never wore it — not even once. So, ladies, I’ll bet you $1 (let’s be real, we’re not into big time gambling here..) you have one of these trendy pieces in the back of your closet that you could dust off and wear this summer.

Step 2: Choose Your Favorite Summer Trend

Here’s some examples of what you’ll see in the stores. I know not every style is for every body shape, so choose wisely the trend that looks best on your body.

Note: If you see something you’d like to explore, just click on the photo and it will take you to the online store. If you click on the item, or make a purchase, I will receive a small commission, and that’s called an Affiliate Link. Style bloggers get paid by the online store, and you don’t pay a dime more! So I, and all style bloggers, appreciate it when you purchase from our links. Thanks so much… (*Aff Links below)

Especially flattering on hourglass and curvy gals, the belted shirtdress is a flattering style. It’s easy, accents your waist (you can swap out the tie sash for your favorite belt), and provides instant chic comfort for your backyard dinner party. Add a touch of color with blingy sandals and accessories and you’re set to be the hostess with the mostess!

The shirtdress also looks great without the belt! I love this look on a rectangle or apple body shape because it honors the straight figure of the rectangle, and camouflages the midsection on an apple shape. All around comfortable, breezy, and fun for summer!

In terms of length, you’ll see all lengths this season — shorter lengths for women who have great legs and want to show them off; midi length is just long enough to cover knobby knees, but not all the way to the floor, which I think is super chic; knee length is flattering on all women’s shapes because it’s the classic 2:3 proportion.

Dana Buchman Satin Shirtdress with Belt

Target Gingham Plus Size Shirtdress

JCPenney BE BY CHETTA B Shirtdress

Catherine Malandrino Rene Shirtdress

JCPenney Spense Shirtdress

Tahari ASL Petite Shirtdress

Dillards Cremieux Striped Tie Waist Shirt Dress

Donna Karen Tie Waist Shirt Dress

If you’re more of a jeans and shirts woman, try one of the tie-waist shirts or tees so popular now. Same waistline definition, more mix and match possibilities! Sort of ‘country mouse meets city mouse’ look…

BeachLunchLounge Pineapple Print Tie-Waist Shirt

J. Crew Factory Tie-Waist Shirt

UK Boohoo Off Shoulder Tie-Waist Shirt

Express Tie-Waist Rolled Sleeve Shirt

Alex Marie Blue & White Striped Tie Waist Shirt
Step 3: Add Your Personality

Everything you wear should express your personality. Why try to be someone you’re not? Life’s too short to pretend any longer. Just be YOU. Here are some pieces that are classic with a twist!

Dillards Eliza J Plus Size Cold Shoulder Fit and Flare Dress

Dillards London Times Plus Size Floral Dress

Dillards Vince Camuto Plus Size Geranium Bell Sleeve Dress

Dillards Gianni Bini Floral Faux Wrap Kimono Dress

Don’t forget to add some personality in your shoes this summer! Here are some colorful, blingy, and just plain fun and comfortable shoes to wear with dresses, shorts, cropped pants and leggings, and skirts.

Birkenstocks in Orchid

Dolce Vita Kai

Aetrex Gia in Rose Gold

Aetrex Quinn in Tangerine

Badgley Mischka in Black Satin

Donna Karen in Black & Gold
In conclusion,

the classics are trendy this season. The shirtwaist dress that our mothers wore every day are classically chic now. The dresses come in solids, florals, geometric prints and all sorts of great fabrics, including wrinkle-free for traveling. If you’re more of a jeans and tee shirts kind of gal, you’ll find the classic tie-waist blouse in all the stores. These remind me of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday! Figure flattering, flirty, and fun!

What’s on your shopping list this summer? Please leave a comment below…