Plus Size Leopard Mini Skirt

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger Natalie in the City reviews SheIn's mini skirts and crop tops.

It’s wild how often I embrace leopard print these days. A couple of years ago, you couldn’t even get me to look at leopard print or even consider it. But I guess that’s how fashion goes; one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out. And while that may seem a little harsh, it gives every style, pattern, color, and trend the chance to reinvent itself and come back better than ever. Styles and trends are never really “new,” fads are recycled decade after decade and they are interpreted in a way that makes sense for the current times. Throughout my 27 years of life, I have seen leopard—and other animal prints—reinvent itself multiple times.

And I guess this outfit and these photos are proof that leopard has made its way back into my life. I was on the hunt for a ruffled mini skirt for this summer. For some reason, I flashed back to my senior year of high school where I used to fund the cutest ruffled mini skirts, and I always felt so confident in them. So it’s almost like we are taking a trip back to another decade for two trends—yeah, I said a “decade,” as it’s been about 10 years since I have been out of high school. WHEEWW. Anyways, let’s get back to the clothes. I didn’t really have much luck finding the ruffled mini skirts I was looking for, but I did find this Leopard Print Tiered Layer Skirt at SheIn, and I felt like I may had found exactly what I was looking for. However, I was extremely apprehensive about ordering from SheIn because I heard that the sizing was way off and the clothing wasn’t great quality. However, I decided to risk it all and order this outfit and a couple of other skirts. I was pleasantly surprised at how well everything fit me, and I will definitely be ordering from them again. When ordering from them, I really paid attention to the reviews and the photos that customers posted—it really helped me make the best decision on what sizes I should order. The crop top is no longer available, but I found similar options here: Plus Solid Flounce Trim Cami | Plus Solid Cami Crop Top

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 1X in the Leopard Print Tiered Layer Skirt, which is one size smaller than my usual size, and it fits perfectly. I sized down because the reviews from other customers told me this skirt ran a little big and a little long. I am happy I sized down, but I do think that the skirt would still fit me if I had ordered my usual size. It would have been just a little looser.

Photography by: Rorie Raimondi

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Plus Size Outfit

Plus Size Snakeskin Pants

When I first began having the desire to wear snake skin, I wondered if it was just me or if everyone around me was feeling the craze, too. Sure enough, snake skin can be found everywhere this season: from wide width shoes to plus size bodysuits. So it’s inevitable that you and I are going to end up with something snake skin—whether we like it or not.

While I did buy some snake skin booties and a bodysuit, I was still craving another item of clothing in the same print. Then, these Keeping My Distance Pants from Chic Soul entered my life. It may not be the ‘70s, but I needed these bell bottoms in my life! I chose to pair the pants with this Simply Black Tank, however, as I get more comfortable with the print, I plan to pair the pants with vibrant neons and more expressive tops. But for now, I’m keeping it simple. I wore this look to a photo shoot I had, and I loved that this was such a comfortable outfit, but it didn’t sacrifice style. Usually, I would just wear sweat pants and a tank top to a shoot, but I liked that I arrived on set in style!

If you’re not familiar with Chic Soul, it’s actually their birthday today! Head over to their Instagram account to wish them a happy birthday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Today, Chic Soul is giving all of their customers a free shirt and free shipping on their orders!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 2X in both the Keeping My Distance Pants and Simply Black Tank, which is my usual size, and they both fit perfectly!

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger Natalie in the City reviews Chic Soul's snake skin bell bottoms.

Chic Soul sent me this outfit to review. All opinions are my own!

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Plus Size Outfit

Plus Size Flowy Pants

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger Natalie in the City reviews Fashion Nova Curves wide leg pants and crop tops.

Chub rub: every curvy woman’s worst nightmare. I think I dread summer solely for this reason. I mean, I don’t like being hot, but I despise chub rub. And while I love my mini dresses and skirts, they obviously come with a price. That’s why I try to find some show stopping, light weight and flowy pants that I can rock during even the hottest summer days.

This summer, my go-to is going to be these Woah There Wide Leg Pants from Fashion Nova Curve. I’m actually really impressed with myself that I have been able to open my mind when it comes to embracing different styles and fits. I used to be so closed minded and I wouldn’t wear anything flowy or baggy because I felt like it wasn’t “flattering.” Since my “flattering” days are well over, I’m loving embracing and wearing whatever I want and whatever feels good to me. These pants are so dynamic. The way they wrap and cascade down the front is so beautiful, and when I walk, I feel like a goddess because these pants definitely give me a Beyoncé moment as they move in the wind. While they are extremely wide leg, they fit my booty very nicely, which highlights my figure instead of hiding it. I paired the pants with the KiKi Cropped Top, which has been in heavy rotation for quite some time now. It’s honestly the perfect little crop top for summer, and it obviously goes with everything. If you see me wearing this outfit more than once a week, I’m not sorry!

If you love this Fashion Nova look, you can get it for 20% off by using the code “NATINTHECITY”!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 2X in the Woah There Wide Leg Pants and the KiKi Cropped Top, which is my usual size, and everything fits perfectly. The pants stretch at the waist and they are oversized.

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

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Plus Size Swimwear

The Perfect Plus Size Bikini Bottoms

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger Natalie in the City review's Aerie's plus size hipster cheeky bikini bottoms.

A couple of months back, I was venting to my Instagram followers about not being able to find sexy plus size swimwear. While I do know that there is an abundance of plus size swimwear out there—especially compared to five years ago—I was struggling to find bikinis, and bottoms that didn’t rise up beyond my belly button. I wanted to be able to wear a normal bikini just like everyone else. I also wanted to show off my tummy and booty rather than covering them up—like I usually do.

My followers quickly flooded my Das with suggestions: SheIn, Fashion Nova, CupShe, Swimsuits For All, etc. I had considered most of these suggestions, and I had already scoured the web for my perfect suit. However, there was one place my followers suggested that I hadn’t even thought of: Aerie.

I haven’t shopped at American Eagle since high school, and I’ve never shopped at Aerie. However, I know that Aerie has been making a splash on social media with their “zero retouching” campaigns. And while that is admirable, the brand only sells up to a size XXL. This means that most plus size women, can’t actually fit into their swimwear. And while I would fit into an XXL, I really try to wear brands that have a wider size range so that I can recommend them in good faith.

But there was one day, where a huge Aerie sale was brought to my attention, and I decided to check out their swimsuits. I loved the wide variety of fits they had for their bikini bottom, for example, the Hipster Cheeky Bottom ensured that I would have enough coverage in the front, while being able to highlight the booty. So I bought a couple of different bottoms at $9 a piece (low risk AF), and I hoped and prayed that they would fit me, since I couldn’t size up.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well the bottoms fit me. They were exactly what I was looking for. The bikini bottoms I am wearing in this photo are Aerie’s Basic Bikini Bottom, which also fits me perfectly! I also got this Perky Triangle Top that you are seeing me wearing, but it’s not my absolute favorite. There were so many different styles of bikini tops and bottoms, but I stuck to the basics just because I was so interested in how things would fit. Needless to say, I will be rocking these bikini bottoms all summer, and I may have just found my go-to for swimwear!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size XXL in the Basic Bikini Bottom, which is my usual size, and they fit perfectly. I am wearing a XXL in the Perky Triangle Top, which seems a little too big for me.

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Life

I Got Laser Hair Removal on My Face

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger Natalie in the City gets laser hair removal on her lip and chin at SpaDerma med spa in Chicago.

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger, influencer, YouTuber, and model Natalie Craig, of Natalie in the City, gets laser hair removal on her lip and chin at SpaDerma med spa in Chicago. Will it work if she has polycystic ovarian syndrome?

If you are following me on Instagram, you’ve probably been following along on my laser hair removal journey. Back in January, I decided to begin laser hair removal on my upper lip and chin areas because since I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), I have noticed that the hair on my face grows very rapidly. I used to have to shave my chin and my upper lip once a day. Having thick, black hairs on my chin and upper lip were really embarrassing for me.

I wasn’t sure how laser hair removal would work on someone who had PCOS since the main reason behind rapid hair growth in PCOS patients is a hormone imbalance. When I was researching the condition and its side effects, I learned that whether you remove the hair follicle or not, the hormonal imbalance may cause the hair to still grow. Knowing that you shouldn’t trust everything you read on the Internet, I decided to take my curiosity to a med spa here in Chicago.

I visited SpaDerma at their Lincoln Park location on Fullerton to chat with Niki, an aesthetician. Niki was very knowledgeable about how laser hair removal can work on PCOS patients, and she even had treated some clients who had PCOS. Niki told me that whether you have PCOS or not, laser hair removal has a 70% success rate because it may not work for everyone, and it’s not always permanent because hormones can change throughout the course of your life. Hearing these statistic was not the most reassuring to me as I thought laser hair removal would be more permanent. However, I really wanted to see if this could help me regain confidence and eliminate the intensity of the hair. So I decided to go through with it.

I received six treatments, which is normal for removing hair completely through laser hair removal, and I paid $299 for all of the treatments. If you decide to visit SpaDerma, you can get $50 off by using my name “Natalie Craig,” and you will only pay $250 (always remember to tip your aesthetician if you enjoy the service!).

After I received my first treatment, I noticed a difference right away. I went from having to shave once a day to shaving maybe once every two weeks. And as I moved through each treatment, my hair disappeared entirely. I have gone through all six treatments, and I no longer have hair on my chin. There are some very tiny, light hairs that have grown back on my upper lip, but I barely notice them.

This has truly been such a life changing decision for me. I used to feel so self conscious about the dark hairs on my chin. And I have had such a good experience that I have decided to do laser hair removal on other parts of my body, and I have also decided to get a tattoo removed at SpaDerma.

If you want to see each of my treatments, I made a YouTube video so you can tag along to each of my appointments and even here some important information from my aesthetician, Niki! Watch the video here: I GOT LASER HAIR REMOVAL ON MY FACE

Learn more about the services SpaDerma offers at: spaderma.com

Be sure to check out my aesthetician, Niki, on Instagram: @niki_spaderma

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Plus Size Outfit

Feeling Confident in Plus Size Crop Tops

Every summer I try to push myself outside of my comfort zone a little bit more. And that’s saying a lot because during the summer season, I am already pretty uncomfortable. Speaking from personal experience, summer can be a trying time for plus size women for many reasons—but to include a few: chub rub, sweating, and lack of practical, on trend, and cute summer clothes. However, I try to make this season as exciting as I can by putting together beautiful looks that require me to be a little adventurous!

This summer, I have decided to embrace crop tops. Up until recently, I have pretty much avoided crop tops because I have always been very insecure about my lower tummy. But to dissolve the fear and dread I have behind my insecurities, I have learned to fully embrace my insecurities and rock them. Now, whether I am showing my tummy a little or a lot, I have learned to really love crop tops because they make me feel rebellious and adventurous. So I headed to Gordmans, my favorite place to get all of the designer brands I love for half the price, to stock up on all kinds of crop tops. I was really successful in finding different styles, fits, and patterns that could work for almost every occasion I have planned this summer.

Although, every Gordmans I have ever been to has a great plus size section, I always visit the Valparaiso, Indiana location because it has the best and biggest selection of plus size clothing.

Almost every article of clothing I got from Gordmans was less than $20, which is such a bargain because these are some of the brands I typically pay full price for! Thanks to Gordmans for being an off-price retailer, I can score all of my favorite designer brands for a fraction of the price. If you aren’t familiar with off-price retailers, they essentially buy excess inventory from department and specialty stores, then sell it at greatly reduced prices. You can also find home goods and accessories at Gordmans, which I always treat myself to when I shop.

Let’s dive into each of these looks!

Farmers Market Chic
I wore this neutral look to the Farmers Market and out in the city while I was running errands. A lot of crop tops can come off as sexy, depending on their fit, but I love that the looser fit of this top gives off a more casual and chill vibe. However, I still feel like a goddess in it when I pair it with form-fitting bottoms or a mini skirt!
Crop top: $12.99
Pants: $19.99
Purse: $13.99
Sandals: $9.99

Strut Your Stuff, Any Day….Any Time
WOW. If you can’t tell, I feel like the hottest chick walking down the street. This outfit propelled my confidence onto another level, which is so interesting, because light wash jeans show my lower tummy area unlike anything else. While my lower tummy has been a longtime insecurity of mine, fashion has really assisted me in developing confidence and finding love in the parts of my body I used to hate. The proof is in these photos, baby!
Crop top: $3.99
Jeans: $16.99
Purse: $4.99
Necklace: $6.99
Heels: $10.99

Festival Queen
This has to be one of my favorite looks for this summer. I love an outfit that is so easy to put together but looks like a lot of styling and time went into it. Every time I wear a top off the shoulder, I feel so radiant and beautiful—I think there is something really pretty about showing off shoulders. I love how the crop top balance a loose fit with a fitted bandeau, it looks so good on my body. I paired the top with these cute shorts that actually look like a skirt. Together they make such an adorable summer fit that I have on repeat!
Crop top: $10.99
Shorts: $18.99
Necklace: $7.99
Sandals: $9.99

Sunday Funday
When it gets super hot out, I want to be wearing as little clothing as possible. This cute little look is perfect for days hanging out at the beach or the park. I love this pop of orange, it’s such a great color for my skin. The ruffle hems and the straps are so darling. I will absolutely keep this crop top in rotation through fall, because it would also be cute dressed up with jeans and a jacket.
Crop top: $4.99
Shorts: $12.99
Necklace: $7.99
Sandals: $9.99

Date Night or A Night Out
Don’t get me wrong, I love a sexy look. When I saw this leopard bandeau crop top, I immediately thought about creating a look for a fun night out or date night. Leopard is such a hot pattern right now and I know that this top is very versatile and could also be mixed into a more casual look. I am so excited to see how many ways I can wear it. But for tonight, we slay a sexy look!
Crop top: $6.99
Skirt: $26.99

Find your closest Gordmans store by visiting Gordmans.com… and do not forget to invite me!

Thank you to Specialty Retailers, Inc. for sponsoring this post. I am a huge proponent of brands that promote inclusivity and sell 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

Visiting La Maison Rose in Paris

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger Natalie in the City visits acute pink restaurant, La Maison Rose in Paris, France.

Finally, we have arrived at the last look I wore while I ventured around Paris! Before I left, I knew I needed an outfit that was going to keep me cool in 100+ temperatures, but wasn’t going to sacrifice style. A chic mini dress would have been a perfect option for heatwave temperatures and running around the fashion capitol of the world. However, I planned to do a lot of walking, and with that, comes chub rub. I know I could have used an anti chafe balm, but those wear off so quickly on me—especially when it’s so hot outside.

I was so stuck on what to wear that I turned to Dia & Co. and wrote a note to my stylist about my upcoming trip. I told her that I needed something very chic, but practical for me to be in all day, and versatile enough that I could dress it up or down.

And sure enough, Dia & Co. rose to the occasion and sent me a dress that I would have never considered on my own. The Cary Fit and Flare Belted Dress from City Chic was perfect! It wasn’t too flashy, and the length was modest and long enough that I could wear anti chafe rub shorts! And sure enough, when I walked through Montmartre and up to La Maison Rose, the dress didn’t disappoint. I accessorized with this gorgeous Wood You Date Me Bag from Fashion Nova, which fit so nicely. I am so so proud of myself that I didn’t put on sweat pants and a tank top to hike up Montmartre—although that’s all I wanted to do. Honestly, if I go back to Paris, I will allow myself to wear whatever I want—even sweatpants. However, I would have felt really bad if I wore gym clothes during my first trip to Paris only because I have always dreamt of dressing up in this beautiful city and having all of the chic moments.

If you want to try Dia & Co. sign up here: GET STYLED FOR FREE!
YOU CAN EVEN REQUEST THIS DRESS IN YOUR FIRST BOX by letting your stylist know in the notes section when you schedule your first box.

If you’re interested in learning more about Dia & Co. and how it compares to other styling subscription boxes, watch my YouTube video here: DIA & CO. VS. STITCH FIX: THE BETTER PLUS SIZE SUBSCRIPTION BOX

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 18 in the Cary Fit and Flare Belted Dress, which is my usual size, and the dress fits perfectly!

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Plus Size Dresses

The Plus Size Dress I Wore to the Louvre

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger Natalie in the City visits the Louvre in Paris, France wearing a silk wrap dress.

During my two-day trip to Paris, I knew there were going to be some things I had to skip or cover really quickly, and one of those things being the Louvre. If you’re not familiar with the Louvre, it’s the keeper of all of the worlds treasures—like the Mona Lisa—and Beyoncé and Jay-Z filmed their music video “APESHIT” inside the Louvre. At least, that’s my impression of the museum. There is probably more to it than that, however, that just goes to show you how uninformed I was, and how little I care about museums. I know it sounds harsh and shallow, but I have just never been a museum kind of girl. One time in fourth grade, we went on a field trip to an art museum, and I was so hungry the whole, and that experience alone ruined museums for me forever. HAH.

And while I may not prioritize museums when I travel, I definitely wanted to stop by the Louvre and admire its architecture.

But it was the trip to the Louvre and back to my hotel that really showed me how perfect this Pinkies Up Dress from Soncy for my trip to Paris. As I was packing for my trip, I had a mild freak out about what I would actually be wearing in Paris. My looks had to be chic, but they also had to be extremely functional so that I could walk around all day and survive the heatwave Europe was currently enduring. I also watched a bunch of YouTube videos on what not to wear in Paris, which I shouldn’t have because they were basically BS and totally psyched me out. So I ended up packing my chicest looks, which ended up not being the most practical or comfortable, all because I wanted to “fit in.” However, this dress really surprised me. I took a Byrd electric scooter to the Louvre and while I thought it was going to be a disaster with this flowy dress, it was actually perfect. I then took the metro home, and put on some sneakers after my feet began to hurt. While the dress itself can come off as pretty formal, it dresses down pretty well, too. And the fabric was perfect for temperatures above 90. This may be TMI, but I was sweating so much, and the dress never showed it. Before this trip, I think I had worn this dress to dinner once in April, and I hadn’t taken it out since. But I am so happy that I took it on this trip with me because now I cannot stop wearing it! I topped off the look with this chic Hangin’ Around You Crossbody bag from Fashion Nova, which is an amazing dupe for the Chloe Faye Crossbody bag! You can get this purse for 20% off when you use the code “NATINTHECITY” at checkout!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 2 in the Pinkies Up Dress, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly!

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Plus Size Outfit

Visiting Palais Royal in Paris

My relationship with stripes has come along way in recent years. I used to avoid the pattern altogether—no matter the direction of the stripes. People would say, “Don’t wear horizontal stripes, they will widen your body,” or “Try vertical stripes to elongate your figure.” No one was ever like, “Wear the stripes how you want them.” Pretty quickly, stripes got the reputation that they were only good for one thing, and I had to be very cautious of how I chose to wear them. However, since I have abandoned the word “flattering” from my vocabulary, it’s really opened me up to the different styles, patterns, textures, and silhouettes that I had previously closed off—and stripes being one of those things! In fact, I have become known for loving stripes among family and friends. My best friend will throw out the words “Classic,” and sometimes “Beetlejuice,” when I even I look in the direction of something striped. But hey, a girl likes what she likes!

So when I recently took a trip to Paris, I knew that I wanted to visit the Les Deux Plateaux (also known as the Colonnes de Buren) in Palais Royal. If you aren’t familiar with Les Deux Plateaux, it’s set of striped, cylindrical sculptures located inside the Domaine National du Palais-Royal. To me, the installation speaks “perception.” And at the risk of over embracing stripes while attending the exhibit, I decided to wear these beautiful Black and White Striped Pants from Mareé Pour Toi, paired with a Red Washed Silk Charmeuse Tank and Open Sleeve Blazer. One thing that I learned about Parisian style is that it is incredibly chic, yet very understated. I rarely saw bright hues of colors or bold stripes, but something about this outfit felt very right to wear in Paris…and so I did. During my second day in Paris, I wore these pants, paired with a black crop top to a cheese making class and a trip to the Champs-Élysée. Last week, Europe underwent an extreme heat wave, and while I was not prepared at all, I really relied on the lightness and flowiness of these pants to keep me looking chic, but also keep me feeling cool. Aside from the pants, the tank top and blazer will be main staples in my work wardrobe. The blazer is so thick, very chic, and it’s also a super cool look for the office. I really could wear it with anything. And while I could also wear the tank top under a cardigan, jacket, or blazer at work, I plan to knot it or tuck it into pants and skirts to give even the most casual summer look an elegant touch.

If you missed my first Paris look, check it out here: BONJOUR!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 18 in the Black and White Striped Pants, Red Washed Silk Charmeuse Tank, and Open Sleeve Blazer, which is my usual size, and everything fits perfectly! You all know how much I love the fit at Mareé Pour Toi!

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger, influencer, YouTuber, and model Natalie Craig, of Natalie in the City, reviews Marée Pour Toi's Black and White Striped Pants, Red Washed Silk Charmeuse Tank, and Open Sleeve Blazer while visiting Paris, France and Les Deux Plateaux (also known as the Colonnes de Buren or stripe pillars) in Palais Royal.

Marée Pour Toi sent me this look to review. All opinions are my own!

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Plus Size Outfit

Plus Size Outfits to Wear in Paris

Paris is really the only place I’ve ever wanted to go. Sure, I’ve seen much of the U.S., and I have been to Mexico twice, but none of my trips anywhere ever really felt that exciting. But when my Paris trip finally came to fruition, I found myself asking, “Why was Paris always my top destination?” No, I didn’t want to go hit the art museums. Yeah the architecture was beautiful, but did I know any of the history behind it? No. Sure, it’s the most romantic city in the world, but was I going with my boyfriend. Not this time. I felt frustrated as people asked me about the itinerary I had planned. “IDK… walk around, eat, see the Eiffel Tower,” I’d tell them. People always looked underwhelmed as if Paris was much more than what I wanted to experience. I really only had a couple of things planned: see the Eiffel Tower at night, take pictures for my blog, and eat good food.

My first day in Paris was amazing. I woke up at 5 am to take blog photos, and I made my way from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre to Palais Royal in two hours. I found my way around the Metro, and eventually, I made my way up to the top of Montmartre. And that night, I trekked out to Trocadéro to watch the Eiffel Tower light up and sparkle as the sunset. It may have been the talented vocalist singing Daniel Caesar’s “Best Part” while playing the guitar right next to me, or it could have been the long trip and exciting day paired with 3 hours of sleep, but my eyes started to water as I stood in front of the Eiffel Tower. The lights slowly started to creep up the tower as the sun set, and the hundreds of people who were also at Trocadéro started to buzz with excitement. The Tower began to sparkle for five captivating minutes. And finally, it hit me. I always knew I’d make it to Paris one day, but I also knew that it would take time. I wouldn’t travel to Paris with my family for summer vacation, and I wouldn’t be tagging along with my friends on one of their Euro-trips over the summer. When I eventually made it to Paris, I knew that it would be something to be so proud of.

In my favorite movie of all time, “View From The Top,” Donna Jensen—played by Gwenth Paltrow—goes from small town girl to flight attendant, and her dream is to work in first class on international flights based in Paris. While some adversities stood in her way, she eventually made it to Paris. And as I watched this movie as a young girl, I wanted that same feeling of finally “making it” to where I was supposed to be / go in life. And Paris always represented that to me.

While Paris may represent art, history, wine, or architecture to some, to me it represents reaching a next level. Sure, I was able to experience all of the things that make Paris great like history and art, but I was also able to discover just what the city meant to me.

When I saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time, I wanted to see it from a unique perspective. I actually never walked up to or under the Tower and I didn’t go up to the top either. So my first stop was this little street to the side of the Eiffel Tower. It was such a cool experience to stand in front of something you’ve seen everywhere, but not yet in person.

I was wearing this Make Scene Jumpsuit from Chic Soul, which I originally thought would be “too much” for the city that’s fashion sense is incredibly chic, but somewhat understated. However, the jumpsuit fit in perfectly! I spotted leopard all throughout the city in different ways, whether it be a tank top tucked into jeans or a pleated skirt, or wide leg leopard pants with a black crop top. I paired mine with a leather jacket because it was a little chilly the morning I went to visit the Eiffel Tower!

Stay tuned for more looks that I wore in Paris!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 2X in the Make Scene Jumpsuit, which is my usual size, and I think the jumpsuit fits a little large. It is supposed to be oversized in the legs, but I think I would prefer the legs to be a little less loose. If you like an oversized look, then I would order your true size!

Thank you to Chic Soul 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 Swimwear

The Hottest Summer

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger, YouTuber, and Model Natalie Craig, of Natalie in the City, reviews Capriosca Swim's Plain Black Frilled Bikini Top and Chlorine Resistant Plain Black Pant Bottom.

When I say, “the hottest summer,” trust me, I am definitely not talking about the temperature seeing as Chicago has failed to reach any temps above 70°. But rain or shine, I am going to have the hottest summer because of the looks I have planned. From swim to the gym, I am going to be sizzling!

So let’s talk about one of the looks I plan on having in heavy rotation when I hit the beach this summer. This Plain Black Frilled Bikini Top paired with the Chlorine Resistant Plain Black Pant Bottom from Capriosca Swim is such a gorgeous look for the beach or pool. I love the off the shoulder look, and the bikini bottoms are so perfect for my figure. I have the hardest time finding bottoms that don’t roll down or fit me right. These ones are perfect. I can wear them a little high cut or right at my hips. And as you can see, they look so so good on my body! I also love that these bikini bottoms won’t fade in the pool because they are Chlorine-Resistant. Usually when I go to the beach or the pool, I rarely ever go home right after that because my friends always want to go out to lunch or go shopping. So I also got this Black Mesh Short Tie Skirt Bottom to wear after the beach, which looks so cute with the off the shoulder bikini top!

Capriosca Swim is based in Australia, but they ship worldwide and to the U.S., so you can easily shop some of the hottest Australian swim styles! They are having their end of year sale and you can get 50% off all sale swimwear, use the code: EOFY50 at checkout! If you haven’t heard of Capriosca before, they started creating plus size and curvy swimwear after they noticed a huge gap in the industry!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 18 in both the Plain Black Frilled Bikini Top and the Chlorine Resistant Plain Black Pant, which is my usual size, and they fit perfectly! I think it’s common that all swimwear fits a little snug at first and then conforms to your body. With that being said, the swimsuit is a little tight, but I think that’s normal! I am wearing a XXL in the Black Mesh Short Tie Skirt Bottom, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly!

Thank you to Capriosca Swim 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 Activewear

From the Gym to the Street

Chicago Plus Size Petite Fashion Blogger, YouTuber, influencer and model Natalie Craig, of Natalie in the City, reviews Fabletics' Ease Two Piece Outfit Jogger and one shoulder sports bra set.

It’s no secret that I love an all-black ensemble, but since I have started getting my gym attire at Fabletics, I have gotten everything but black yoga pants, which is totally out of character for me. I have triedso many plus size Fabletics outfits.However, something was missing: a black set. While I loved wearing bold sets to the gym, I needed an all black look for days when I am feeling more low key.

Because I have so many of Fabletics‘ Power Hold leggings, I decided to switch it up with more of a jogger look. I am sporting the Ease Two Piece Set, which is really cute, but super functional when it comes to the gym or just running errands. I think this is the most supportive sports bra I have gotten from Fabletics thus far. It can be worn like I am wearing it in these photos, but the straps on the left can also be removed for a one shoulder look. The bra is tight, and I am not sure if it’s tight to keep the “ta tas” in or if it’s just too small. Like I said, I really like the support I am getting with it, and maybe it will stretch out a bit.

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size XXL in both the Ive Jogger and the Winn Low Impact One Shoulder Sports Bra, which is my usual size, and they both are a little tight, but they are absolutely wearable!

Fabletics sent me this look to review. All opinions are my own.

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