These stunning mothers and daughters share the stories of their family style.

Mothers share so much with their daughters: genetics, advice, unconditional love and, sometimes, if we’re lucky, treasures from their closet. They’ve raised us, nurtured us and (if you ask them) taught us everything we know, including how to embrace an esthetic that’s all our own. In honour of Mother’s Day, we got these smart, funny, beautiful mothers and daughters to model this spring’s must-try trends.

Super stripes

The linear pattern often favoured by Frenchwomen is the biggest story in prints for spring, but it goes way beyond classic nautical esthetic. From horizontal or vertical to simple or bold, there’s a version of stripes to suit every sartorial taste.

Preeti Jain, 52 and her daughters, Priya, 27, Sonia, 23 and Mya, 14

The statuesque Jain family’s striking good looks may be what you first notice, but after a few minutes of speaking with them, you realize they’ve got something so much more desirable—and powerful—than beauty: Every single one of them is armed with rock-solid confidence and unconditional love for one another.

“I’m so fortunate to have amazing sisters and a mother who are all incredible with passionate interests,” says firstborn Priya, who’s a yogi and an artist. “We’re true to ourselves, and we try to encourage one another—there’s a lot of respect.”

“I think my style and my mom’s are similar,” says university graduate student Sonia. “We influence each other when we shop.” Priya’s look is perhaps the most distinct in the Jain clan, as she embraces colour and often mixes vintage with trendier items. Mya, Sonia and Preeti have a comparable sense of style—a combination of athleisure meets contemporary sophistication—and they also happen to share the same clothing and shoe sizes. “My daughters and I are tall and we are similar sizes, so it’s not unusual that they borrow my clothes, which is both irritating and flattering,” says Preeti, a pediatrician. “We’re always shopping together, which is great, because my mom knows what I like, and I know what she likes,” says Mya. “Plus, if she buys something, then decides she doesn’t like it, I can wear it.”

Wanderlust

Exotic fabrics with a weave of textures, patterns and layers came together on the Spring 2017 runways to create a eclectic yet cohesive esthetic. From Cuba to Kenya and everywhere in between, this global theme looks less hippie and more refined. Try mixing textures such as beading and appliqués with a few prints; the key to pulling off this tricky trend is drawing from the same colour scheme.

Evelyn Hannon, 77, her daughter, Erica Ehm, and her granddaughter, Jessie, 13

This arresting grouping has a lot more than (good) genes in common. The three generations also share a common belief: When it comes to style, don’t just follow trends; instead, carve out a space for your own esthetic. This ethos stems from Evelyn. “My mother has always had a striking sense of style. She’s never followed trends,” says Erica, CEO of Ehm & Co and publisher of YummyMummyClub.ca. “That fashion philosophy—to boldly be myself—is something I hope my daughter embraces,” adds the former MuchMusic VJ.

Armed with the empowering message of “Dress for yourself,” the family’s personal style statements range widely. Evelyn’s is eclectic and casually chic, which is fitting for the editor of journeywoman.com, a travel website that caters to women. Erica has shifted away from the rock ’n’ roll vibe of her youth in favour of effortless elegance with a bohemian twist. The youngest in the tribe, eighth-grader Jessie admits she likes to dip into trends (and so you should when you’re 13!), but she doesn’t let them define her. “I don’t buy the same clothing everyone else has; I try to be a trendsetter by blending unique pieces. My style is a mix of everything,” she elaborates.

A love story

This year, designers have us believing romance is alive and well. Ethereal lace, tulle and organza flowed their way onto the Spring 2017 runways, mainly on dresses and skirts. To make this glamorous trend work for everyday, juxtapose it with a simple tee and a pair of sneakers.

Rebeca Zavaleta Ulch, 36, and her daughter, Paula, 17

This mother-daughter duo may share genetically superior eyebrows, full lips and thick hair, but their personal styles show little resemblance. Grade 11 art student Paula gravitates toward sleek tank tops, menswear pants and Converse sneakers. “Basically, my style is minimalist with a touch of ’90s nostalgia,” she says.

Fashion and lifestyle blogger and influencer Rebeca (she’s the founder of Wishbone & Clover Media), on the other hand, always has something dazzling and unexpected worked into her carefully crafted outfits. “I think Paula would describe my style as ‘extra,’ ” jokes Rebeca. “But our looks really complement each other.”

Modern military

Though this style might seem like it’s about getting in line and blending in, designers made a point to tweak military fashion and allow it to stand out for spring. A whole host of military-inspired pieces marched down the runways, from ruffled army greens at Johanna Ortiz to camo miniskirts at Marc Jacobs.

Zoë Chik, 33, and her daughter, Rowen Whitty, 5 

Zoë appreciates fashion, but as a veterinary technician, her wardrobe isn’t an important part of her day-to-day life. “When it comes to clothes, I’m casual and stick to black and neutrals, which is interesting because Rowen loves jewellery and all things rainbow-coloured, sparkly, glittery and sequined.”

Zoë wasn’t kidding; at our photo shoot, Rowen was captivated by the dazzling accessory table—and particularly attracted to a pair of sparkle-encrusted Jimmy Choo stilettos. Maybe being a stylist is in Rowen’s future; after all, she did pick her mom’s pumps for the shoot. Zoë jokes that she secretly dresses Rowen in clothes she’d like to wear herself but fears she can’t pull off. 

Heavy petals

According to Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, florals for spring are not groundbreaking—but the print is a perennial favourite because it’s beautiful, inspiring and uplifting. This season, designers have supersized the scale and softened the edges to make flowers look like a bold yet serene landscape.

Peggy Singer, 65, and her daughter, Rachel Rusen, 33

When Rachel was growing up, her mom, Peggy, worked for the family business, overseeing a chain of women’s retail stores across Ontario. “My mom and dad always knew what the trends were going to be way ahead of time,” says Rachel, who works as a digital marketer and has cultivated a personal style that’s effortlessly feminine with a trace of edge. “We always had access to clothing samples, so I was able to take risks in school because I was wearing things before other kids.”

Sartorially speaking, Rachel was fearless from a young age. “She’s always been a fashionista,” says Peggy, whose personal style is a fine balance between vibrant and elegant. “She started picking her own outfits when she was three—including accessories!” Rachel credits her love of and confidence in fashion to her mom, who has always been her biggest champion—“even when I made questionable choices.”