A Girl Boss’ Day Off

Do you ever get so busy or stressed where you are zooming through the days, and you don’t even realize how little attention you are giving to yourself or how messy your apartment has become because you have been on the go since 6 a.m. Monday? Well, that was me this past week, and I remember hitting pause for a split second as I stood in the middle of my living room with clothes, shoes, and bags all around me. “I need to chill,” I said to myself with a deep breath. So that’s what I did. I took my mornings slower and made sure to build in time where I relaxed and enjoyed my favorite things like a cup of coffee with coconut cream, avocado toast with a poached egg, and a new set of lingerie. I’ve opened up to you all about how I utilize lingerie to bring out the best in myself. Whether I’m wearing sexy pieces under my every day clothes to give me a boost of confidence, or just dressing up for myself and lounging around the apartment to feel sexy and beautiful, I’ve enjoyed this little self-care practice I’ve created for myself.

When I am taking a day off to relax, this Wendy Bra and Hipster Panty set in Victorian Rose from Parfait Lingerie gives me the comfort I crave, while making me feel beautiful and indulgent. Sure, I could lounge around in sweatpants, but the clothes I wear totally dictate the mood I’m in. Even though I am just having a lazy day inside, I don’t want to feel groggy or unproductive. I want to feel like a goddess who is restoring her divinity. The Wendy Bra is not padded, which I like because it’s a nice break from the push up bras I’m used to wearing. It makes me feel naturally beautiful and effortless. I also love the texture on the top of the bra, which also makes an appearance on the panties. This subtle, yet eye-catching touch elevates the set, and I so appreciate it.

It’s days like these, where I find time during the madness that is work, events, blogging, and anything else taking up capacity in my life, where I feel perfect. I get to sit back, reflect, and relax—all the while, looking good I might add.

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 44D in the Wendy Bra, which is a cup size above the cup size I usually wear, and the bra fits me perfectly. I am wearing a size 3X in the Wendy Panties, which is one size larger than my usual size, and they fit me perfectly. I opted for a looser fitting panty and bra for comfort.

Thank you to Parfait Lingerie for sponsoring this post. I am a huge proponent of brands that promote inclusivity and make high-quality, well-fitting clothing. All opinions expressed in this post are 110% my own! Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make Natalie in the City a possibility!

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Plus Size Dresses

Plus Size Orange Dress

I love a plus size dress I can wear into the office and then dress it down for a night out. Versatility is key when it comes to my wardrobe. During any given week, I could have five different events to attend, my friends plan a night out, and I have to go to work. And one of my biggest pet peeves is carrying around a big, heavy bag with four different outfits and pairs of shoes in it.

I’m sure you’ve already figured out why I love this Distraction Cutout Dress from Fashion Nova Curve so much. Yes, the color is magnificent, but the cut of the dress is long enough where it’s appropriate for work, and the slit on the left shoulder is super sexy, but could easily be covered with a blazer when wearing it to the office. I’m telling you, if you build your wardrobe with versatile, classic pieces—and a few items with bold statements like the cutout on this dress—the possibilities will be endless, and your closet can and will take you anywhere.

Shoutout to my best friend Jennifer for taking these cute little photos!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 2X in the Distraction Cutout Dress, which is my usual size, and the dress fits perfectly.

Fashion Nova sent me this outfit to review. All opinions are my own!

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Plus Size Dresses

A Dress That Does it All

Red has really been my color this summer. This is the first time tat I have really found this hue to be endearing ad exciting, and I can’t get enough of it. A couple of months ago, I posted a red dress that I found from Simply Be that I think is a bit similar to this one. But when I first got that dress, it was a little longer than I originally thought it would be. I wanted this dress to be a sexier piece that I could wear all summer long, but it ended up being a dress I could wear to work—and that’s okay. But I still craved something sexier.

Enter this almost identical dress that I scooped up from Boohoo! This Kimono Sleeve Wrap Tie Waist dress is super sexy and unique, but get ready to come really close to revealing your coochie—yeah, it’s that short. While the dress does have a super mini fit, the long tie waist flaps actually hang down long enough to cover you from revealing the goods down under. So is the dress functional and practical? Yeah, I guess I have had more impractical dresses in my day LOL. And I also want to note that you could probably size up in this dress for a longer fit. Overall though, I really love this piece and it makes me feel super sexy. It’s the perfect dress to wear out to the club on a cooler fall night. Another thing I also really enjoy about this garment is the way it incorporates so many different trends: Kimono sleeve, wrap dress, tie waist, and the color red. This dress is summer.

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 16 in this Kimono Sleeve Wrap Tie Waist, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly. However, the dress does have a mini fit, so I would suggest sizing up if you want a longer fit. I could have totally worn a size 18.

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Plus Size Dresses

Plus Size Ruffle Dress

If you caught my first glimpse of this gorgeous dress in my most recent Fashion Nova Haul YouTube video, you could see how much I loved this dress at first sight. I mean, what is not to love. The dress is made of a thick (almost scuba/neoprene-like) material, the cascading ruffle details on the top and bottom of the dress are enchanting and playful, and the dress is black so it really could be worn anywhere. Can you tell that I have been into ruffles lately? CAN’T STOP WON’T STOP!

I decided to dress this piece up with some beautiful statement earrings and a pair of lace up block heels. But I could also totally see myself dressing this look to be a little more casual with a wedge for a party. As you can see, this dress hugs my curves just right, and I love the asymmetrical look and what it does for my figure. I feel super sexy and confident in this outfit, and I also think I would standout in a crowd if I wore this little number—and I love that feeling! This Hey Bonita Asymmetrical Dress is from Fashion Nova Curve, and you can get it 15% off with the code NATINTHECITY! I will also include some similar styles in the shop widget below for you! These shoes have been a hot topic since I debuted them on my YouTube channel! They are the Lace Up Block Heels from Loft! You can also check them out in this post: LOFT: MY WAY

Want to see this look in action? Watch my Fashion Nova Curve Haul on YouTube: FASHION NOVA CURVE IS TAKING OVER MY CLOSET

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a 2X in the Hey Bonita Asymmetrical Dress, which is my usual size, and the dress fits perfectly! I am wearing a size 9 in the Lace Up Block Heels, which is my usual size, and they fit fine! They are not by any means a wide fit, but I was able to squeeze my wide feet into them fine.

Fashion Nova Curve sent me this outfit to review. All opinions are 110% my own!

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Plus Size Outfit

Loft Plus Size Clothing Review

It’s always an amazing day when a brand decides to start offering plus sizes. While I think the demand for extended sizes has always been there, many brands have shrugged at plus size women rather than expanding their selections, whether it was because of their bottom line or simply because they lacked the belief that plus size women should have well-fitted clothing. But now, as more brands start to cater toward fuller figures, I see more women running to these brands and embracing their curves through the trends and styles that make them feel beautiful and confident.

I’m happy to add Loft to this list of inclusive brands. I attended the debuted of the Chicago Michigan Avenue Loft Store’s launch of its plus size section back in June, and I was so happy to see my fellow Chicago curvy girls dressed in the new pieces. I looked through the Loft plus size selection online and I was more pleased with the amount of options on the site versus the store, understandably so. While I feel like Loft is a brand that offers many on-trend flowy and oversized pieces—not just in the plus size section, but also across the entire brand—I was able to find really cute pieces to add to my closet even though I try to stay away from oversized and loose-fitting clothing. Before this encounter with the brand, I probably wouldn’t have called myself a “Loft girl,” simply because the brand didn’t carry my size, but also because the brand’s aesthetic wasn’t exactly my style. However, I have completely changed my mind with the launch of this new plus size section. And the outfit you’re looking at now, while maybe unexpected to the typical Loft customer, it screams, “Natalie.”

I curated this adorable look, and it has since become one of my favorites. I love the contrast it creates with the black and white stripes on the Striped Off the Shoulder Sweater, but also with the suede material of the Faux Suede Wrap Skirt against the sweater-like fabric of the top. It’s a unique pairing, and I wore it out to a brunch that Loft put on for Chicago bloggers at Summer House. I topped the look off with these Lace Up Block Heels, which have become my favorite, and I wear them everywhere now (as you can see from my most recent YouTube video)

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 16 in the Faux Suede Wrap Skirt, which is my usual size, but the lining on the inside of the skirt fits more like a 12/14. I cut the lining out myself and the skirt fits perfectly without it. If you would prefer the skirt to have a lining, I would order a size larger than your usual. I am wearing a size 16/18 in the Stripped Off the Shoulder sweater, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly! I am wearing a size 9 in the Lace Up Block Heels, which is my usual size, and they fit fine! They are not by any means a wide fit, but I was able to squeeze my wide feet into them fine.

Photography by: Rorie Raimondi

Loft sent me this outfit to review. All opinions are 110% my own!

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Plus Size Outfit

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I’m always down for fun embellishments on clothing, which is why I was so attracted to these bell bottom pants with buttons down the right side. I was a little apprehensive to wear the pants at first because the buttons come right down the center of my lower tummy, and if you have been an avid reader of my blog, you know that my lower tummy has always been an insecurity of mine. But as I have (probably) mentioned in the last three posts, I have been trying to embrace my lower tummy and rid myself of those insecurities.

This is why I am fully accepting the challenges that these unique pieces of clothing—like that hot pink jumpsuit I wore earlier this week—bring me. These Cynthia High Rise Pants are so chic and fun. I love that they are statement piece that I could wear to the office—with an appropriate top, of course. But when I don’t have to go to work, I like pairing these trousers with the Breana Bell Sleeve Sweater Top. This cropped sweater brings a soft touch to the edgy pants. But I can’t wait to pair both of these pieces with other outfits, respectively.

Want to see this look in action? Watch my Fashion Nova Curve Haul on YouTube: FASHION NOVA CURVE IS TAKING OVER MY CLOSET

If you love this look, you can get it 15% off with the code NATINTHECITY!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a 2X in the Cynthia High Rise Pants, which is my usual size, and they fit perfectly. However, I am 5’2 and these pants were so long on me. So I did have them hemmed. I am wearing a 2X in the Breana Bell Sleeve Sweater Top, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly.

Photography by: Rorie Raimondi

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Plus Size Jumpsuit

Plus Size Pink Jumpsuit

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger reviews a Fashion Nova Curve Jumpsuit and talks about embracing her lower tummy and curves.

Y’all know that I have some bright fuchsia trousers that I can’t get enough of (See: XOXO | GIRL BOSS), so I decided take it a step further and cop a fuchsia jumpsuit. It’s crazy, because just a few months ago, color was not a thing I got excited about. I wanted to wear all black everything, and I snubbed every opportunity to add in any kind of hue to my every day wardrobe. But now, I almost crave these crazy, neon colors. As soon as I see them, I’m like, “OMG. BUY NOW. BUY NOW. BUY NOW.”

Yeah, I’ve done a total 180. I often wonder why it was that I only wore black. Was it because it was flattering? Was it because I just wanted to blend in and not attract attention to myself? I think both of these are fitting. But times have changed, and I don’t want to just blend in anymore. I’m proud of my curves and I want EVERYONE to know it. So I think this hot pink jumpsuit is very fitting for my take on fashion now.

I found this Deep Conversations Jumpsuit on Fashion Nova Curve, and I got it immediately. I knew it would be too long on my short little legs (I’m 5’2), but I loved the color and the plunging neckline. So I made it work. When I got the jumpsuit, I hemmed the legs to fit me perfectly! You can either go get this done professionally, or you can wing it. (Guess which one I did. hehe) This jumpsuit is also helping me get over my self-imposed rule of not showing my lower tummy (foopa). This has long been an insecurity of mine, but recently, I have said, “Enough is enough. You are you, and that is that.” Pretty straightforward right? Sometimes you just got to tell it to yourself just like it is. If you love this jumpsuit, get it 15% off with the code “NATINTHECITY”

Want to see this look in action? Watch my Fashion Nova Curve Haul on YouTube: FASHION NOVA CURVE IS TAKING OVER MY CLOSET

Slay the summer, girl! (and don’t forget to stand out while doing it)

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 2X in the Deep Conversations Jumpsuit, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly. However, the legs were super long on me, so I hemmed them. The jumpsuit is super stretchy and comfortable!

Fashion Nova sent me this outfit to review. All opinions are my own!

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