The Best Summer Staple for Plus-Size Women, According to a Celebrity Stylist - NewsBreak
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Now that it's warm enough to pull out your summer wardrobe, you may be looking to update it for the new season. It's always fun to add a couple of trend pieces each year. But it's also great to have some closet staples that you can rewear all season to really get your money's worth. And according to a celebrity stylist, for plus-size women this summer, there's one staple that's definitely worth having in constant rotation.
Parade consulted plus-size celebrity fashion stylist to get the inside scoop on her favorite summer closet staple, as well as which seasonal trends she'd love to see people try out. Harris has styled for the likes of Ashley Nicole Black, Natasha Rothwell, Alex Newell and more. Her take on plus-size fashion is all about making her clients "feel confident and comfortable," explaining, "I style to highlight, not hide. When someone feels good in their clothes, it shows—and that's always the goal."
That's why Harris has been all about the 2025 warm weather style trends thus far. "I'm loving how fun and fearless summer fashion is this year," she says. "It feels like brands are finally leaning into style that works with curves instead of trying to hide them."
"If I had to narrow it down to just one staple piece every plus-size woman needs in her
summer wardrobe, it would be a great summer dress," Harris tells Parade.
She lists tiered maxis, smocked midis, and structured cotton poplins as some of her favorite styles. As for brands to check out, she's loving Anthropologie, JessaKae, and Diarrablu for their plus-size dresses this season.
But any summer dress that you love can work—it's all about the fit. "Finding one that fits comfortably in the bust, defines your waist, and gives you room to breathe is a total game changer," she says.
In particular, she loves how easy it is to construct a complete outfit for either day or night with the dress as the centerpiece. For daytime, she recommends a cotton or smocked dress for a "no-fuss outfit" paired with sneakers or flats. "Add a lightweight button-down shirt tied at the waist or a cute jacket for layering," she adds. "Finish with a crossbody bag and a simple hoop or stack of rings for a pulled-together feel."
Then, you can take the dress from day to night with "a block heel or strappy sandal, bold jewelry, and a structured bag," she says.
Ultimately, Harris explains, "A great summer dress should work with the wearer, not against her. It's a staple because it adapts to real life, real bodies and real style."
Harris loves a matching set for how it makes you seem "put together with minimal effort." She says that crop tops with matching high-waisted skirts or flowy pants with a tie-front top are always good options to try.
"Think breezy linen, floaty dresses and silky sets that look expensive but feel like pajamas," Harris says. "I'm loving oversized button-downs, one-shoulder dresses and loose pants for those 'I'm going to brunch but might end up poolside' days."
"Fashion is all about personal expression, not fitting into a mold," Harris says.
She recommends that you "take the elements" that you love from summer trends and find your own way to wear them, explaining, "Whether it's a color, a silhouette, or a fabric ... adapt them in a way that feels good and authentic to you."
Harris says that she often chooses items that "cinch" or "highlight" the waist to help "define the silhouette," explaining that it's all about styling with intention to achieve proportion and clean lines.
When it comes to layering, Harris says she uses "pieces that add dimension and polish
without bulk." These can include lightweight jackets, blazers, or relaxed-fit button-ups.
"I pair these with high-waisted trousers, skirts, or wide-leg pants to create balanced proportions," she explains.
"I lean into bold accessories for balance and drama," Harris says. She often adds items like structured bags, statement sunglasses, or layered jewelry in an effort to elevate the final look.
5. Find a Good Tailor
"There's nothing a good tailor can't fix," Harris says. "If you find a piece you really
love but it doesn't come in your size, chat with a tailor about how to recreate or adjust it to fit you perfectly."
6. Brands To Shop
These plus-size styles that Harris is loving for summer can be shopped at many of her favorite brands—like Anthropologie, What Lo Wants, GIA/irl, ASOS Curve, Good American, Dressed In LaLa, JessaKae, or Dirrablu.
At the end of the day, Harris says she hopes that women just focus on wearing what makes them feel good. "This summer is all about showing up, showing skin and not apologizing for taking up space," she stresses.
