About Natalie

As a petite plus size fashionista, it has been extremely difficult to fit into fashion and find clothing made for my body. But I’m here to share my petite plus style tips with you and to show the world that short, plus size women belong in fashion!

That’s the short and sweet story. If you’d like to learn more about my journey through fashion, read on below!

I found my love for fashion sometime before 5th grade thanks to a pair of jeans with writing on them. My dad didn’t want me to leave the house wearing the edgy jeans, but my mom thought they were cute. She would often suggest that I pair the pants with my metallic, purple Spice Girls jacket and bright pink Dr. Marten boots before I left for school. You could definitely say I was pushing fashion boundaries for an 8-year-old kid.

Although I loved fashion at an early age, I realized that the media and the fashion industry did not love me back. I grew up receiving harsh criticism for my full-figured shape, and the thin standards of the fashion world made it difficult for me to embrace the trends that I loved. I quickly learned how hard it was for a plus size, curvy woman to—literally and figuratively—fit into fashion.

Although I’ve always felt like a fashion industry outsider, I’ve conditioned myself to try anything when it comes to clothing trends, while pushing the societal and self-imposed boundaries on what fat women should and shouldn’t wear. Because let’s be honest: You can wear whatever you want. These endeavors inspired me to create this blog.

Natalie in the City is everything I have ever dreamt of being. I created this space in 2013 right before I moved to Chicago to finish journalism school. Since then, I have been on national TV in a bikini, featured in my favorite magazines and newspapers, worked with brands I’ve loved, and made friends with people all around the world…all because of this little blog!

Natalieinthecity.com turns NINE this year, and I couldn’t be more proud!

Now that you know the history behind it all, let’s fast forward to life today!

I am a 30-year-old editor, journalist, and blogger living in Chicago. When I am not working or blogging—which is rare—I love to lift weights, take long walks around the city, and travel!

In 2019, I was named The Most Inspiring Influencer by HerCampus and in 2020, I was named one of the Top Women in Media by FOLIO:.

I’m so thankful you’re here, and I hope we can become friends! Drop me a line on social and let’s connect!