'6 trends I'm wearing as a plus-size woman in fashion (and the ones I wish I could).'

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Every summer, fashion likes to tell us it's the season of ease.

Breezy dresses, effortless silhouettes, throw-on sandals. But for plus-size women, getting dressed in the heat can feel anything but effortless.

While there has been "massive progress" in the Australian fashion space, with more brands expanding their size ranges, the reality is that inclusion often comes with caveats.

It's something fashion model, content creator and fashion insider Jessica Lucey unpacked on a recent episode of Nothing To Wear podcast.

Watch part of the episode below, post continues after video.

"I want to break the ceiling," Jessica, who also works as a Community and Content Manager for Australian plus-size fashion brand De Gail, said.

"For so many years, there's been this misconception that people above a size 14 don't want to participate in trends or don't want to wear what everybody else is wearing. But they do. And they should be able to."

On the podcast, Jessica shared her ultimate guide to summer fashion and nailing trends, calling out the brands getting it right and the trends plus-size women are actually wearing.

Jessica's favourite fashion trends for plus-size women.

1. Ribbed maxi dress.

Image: Instagram @jessica__lucey.

One of Jessica's most-worn summer pieces is a ribbed maxi dress from Fayt The Label, a style she describes as effortless, breathable and endlessly versatile.

"It's so easy, and if I had to say my number one dress that's on rotation all summer long, it would be that."

Overall, her fashion style gravitates towards neutral tones, using accessories to add interest and colour. "You'll see me wearing a lot of neutrals," she explained. "I like to bring colour in through styling."

And while Jessica's most-worn ribbed maxi comes from Fayt, she notes that labels like Vagary The Label are also doing timeless, flowy dresses exceptionally well. They offer styles designed to move with the body and hold their place in a wardrobe long after a trend cycle passes.

2. Long tunics.

Image: Instagram @jessica__lucey.

Jessica admits she will always gravitate towards breathable fabrics like linen or cotton in summer, something brand Commonry consistently gets right, according to the fashion insider.

However, long tunics are one exception to that rule. While many aren't made from natural fibres, their design often makes up for it.

"A lot of them aren't necessarily cotton or linen — they might be viscose or a polyester, say — but they have a side split, or they have something in there that's going to promote airflow," she explained.

And when it comes to comfort and breathability, no outfit is complete without the right undergarments. For this, Jessica calls out Boody and Nala, which are brands that prioritise comfort without sacrificing style.

3. A waist-tie scarf.

Image: Instagram @jessica__lucey.

This was one trend Jessica desperately wanted to participate in, until sizing got in the way.

"Every store I went into, I'd try to tie a scarf around my waist, and it just wasn't big enough," she recalled. "I loved the silhouette and really wanted to be part of that trend."

What frustrated her most was that scarves should be accessible. "In my head, a scarf is something that has multiple uses, and it's something that I really wanted to incorporate into my wardrobe."

Eventually, she worked with De Gail to create a size-inclusive waist-tie scarf.

4. Butter yellow and light blue.

Image: Instagram @jessica__lucey.

Image: Instagram @jessica__lucey.

Although Jessica believes in shopping for colours you already like (instead of buying into things just for the sake of following a trend), she admits she's a huge fan of the current trending colours: butter yellow and light blue.

"This excites me as a neutral girly," Jessica said, because they work so beautifully with the neutral colours she already loves and wears.

She pairs them with chocolate brown instead of black, which she finds can feel harsh in summer. Jessica notes brown softens an outfit and also happens to be very on trend right now.

Image: Instagram @jessica__lucey.

5. Cute summer shoes.

From thongs to mesh ballet flats, fishnet mules and soft leather slides, Jessica is embracing a wide mix of summer footwear.

"I'm so glad thongs are back," she exclaimed, along with kitten heels, mesh flats and fishnet styles.

For all-day wear, she recommended the brand Frankie4 for elevated, supportive sandals.

And while higher-end pieces like chocolate-brown Alaïa mesh mules are a favourite of hers, she's quick to point out that brands like Therapy Shoes are offering "fantastic" budget-friendly options.

"They do fantastic budget-friendly shoes that are cute, fun and actually look good," the fashion model said.

"I find they dip into those trends, so if you are liking those little kitten heels and fun sandals, they're nailing it with the colours."

6. T-shirts with a twist.

Image: Instagram @jessica__lucey.

When it comes to basics, small design details make a big difference. Jessica looks for side splits, boat necks and subtle cut-outs that allow airflow and movement.

"Heat rises," she explained. "So I do look for those little splits and those little things that are going to create a bit of movement and flow. Not too tight."

Jessica's picks for good basics with playful details are Sneaky Link and VRG GRL.

The trends she wishes were more inclusive.

Sequins skirts.

Though she leans classic and minimalist, Jessica admits sequins definitely tempt her.

"They always come back, they're always having a moment," she said.

But access remains an issue. "There have been so many times where I can't participate in a trend because it's not available in my size."

Silk tie shirts.

Much like the waist-tie scarf trend she struggled to participate in due to sizing limitations, silk tie shirts remain another style Jessica loves in theory, but has found difficult to access in her size.

And when a scarf is large enough, it can be styled in multiple ways (think: tied at the waist, draped or even worn as a top), making it one of the most versatile summer fashion items you can own.

For more fashion tips, listen to the Nothing To Wear podcast or watch Nothing To Wear on YouTube.

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Feature image: Instagram @jessica__lucey.