It’s officially fall here in Chicago, and I can’t be more excited. Fall is my favorite time of year because, well, let’s face it: Chub rub makes me dread the warmer, summer months—so much so that I countdown to the end of summer. I’ve tried many things to combat chub rub, and just because summer is over, it doesn’t necessarily mean the chafing will stop. I love wearing sweater dresses, like this one, during fall, which means chub rub still persists. However, I may have found the perfect solution so that I can go forth confidently wearing all the cute, fall dresses.

I recently discovered Thigh Society’s High Rise Anti-Chafing Slip Shorts, and they are a total game changer when it comes to avoiding chub rub. The anti-chafing shorts are very soft, light and breathable, plus they wick moisture away. I prefer wearing them in fall because most of my dresses for this season are longer in length, and the shorts don’t show through at all. Another added benefit to wearing these shorts is more coverage! In Chicago, the wind can get crazy, and when I am wearing loose skirts, well, it’s a recipe for disaster. So, I love that Thigh Society protect me and provide more coverage on windy days.

I also love that the brand has a focus on body positivity, talks about chub rub as a perfectly normal thing (which it is) and features women of different shapes and sizes on their website.

Now, onto the outfit, shall we? My ensemble is an entirely recycled look, meaning that everything I am wearing, came from my fall storage box in the closet. See this look (The Monochromatic Look), which incorporates this sweater dress. See this look (Top Knot), which showcases these taupe booties. Lastly, see this post (A Fashion-Filled Weekend With Meijer), showing where I got this shawl.

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 2x in Thigh Society’s High Rise Anti-Chafing Slip Shorts, which is my usual size, and they fit perfectly! These shorts do stretch quite a bit, but they are true to size. They don’t ride up and didn’t give me any muffin top. They were actually so comfortable that I forgot I had them on.

This post is sponsored by Thigh Society. Marnie, the company’s founder and self-described Chief Anti-Chafing Crusader, started Thigh Society after she was tired of wearing biker shorts, constantly re-applying anti-chafing creams, and squeezing into tight shapewear after none of those methods worked. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Natalie in the City a possibility.   

When I first spoke with the Eloquii team about their plans to open a brick and mortar store in Chicago, I was so excited, and I couldn’t wait for the store to open. I can’t believe that I can now take a stroll over to Eloquii whenever I want—WHICH WAS THREE TIMES LAST WEEK—and shop clothing that fits me so well and adds an edge to my wardrobe. Located in The Shops at North Bridge in downtown Chicago, the new store is so welcoming and the team makes every woman who walks through the door feel special.

The grand opening celebration was held last week, and it’s really one of the first time that Chicago-based plus size fashion bloggers were able to get together, meet each other, and shop Eloquii pieces in store. It was a great feeling to be around other plus size women who love the brand as much as I do.

I also got the opportunity to take my mom into the store when she was here visiting a week ago, and she was so impressed with the trendy looks and the overall vibes. She felt special, and all of the clothes she tried on fit her well—these are moments that plus size women hardly ever experience. I can’t stress enough how important it is to me to have a store that caters to my body type and makes me feel like a VIP instead of shooing me off to a dark corner where there are a select few plus size garments.

In honor of the store’s grand opening, I am wearing all Eloquii everything. I tucked this Cutout Shoulder Top With Bow Detail into the Pleated Midi Skirt—which also comes in green, yellow, and black—and topped the look off with a pair of lace up gray heels! I was a little apprehensive about rocking a pleated skirt because in the past, I have always felt that they were unflattering. But of course, since Eloquii knows how to dress the plus size figure to a T, the pleated skirt is very flattering and gorgeous! Take a risk!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 16 in the Pleated Midi Skirt, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly. I am wearing a size 18 in the Cutout Shoulder Top With Bow Detail, which is one size larger than my usual size. I recommend sizing up with tops that don’t have stretch in them like this one.

 Photography by: Rorie Raimondi

 

 

 

Hi lovelies! I’m so sorry I ghosted on y’all last week. I have had a hectic past two months, and for some reason, last week, I had to step away from everything just to keep my sanity. I took to Instagram to explain my situation on Friday via my Instastories. Basically, a lot has happened within the past couple of months, and I have had to focus a lot of the energy I usually put toward my blog on to other things like moving, finding a new apartment, and grieving an ending relationship. Not blogging or posting to Instagram allowed me to relax a little bit, but I also missed it, and I didn’t feel like myself completely.

So this week, I’m back, and I am here to stay (and slay). My first outfit post this week is about this Project Runway Romper from Fashion Nova Curve. You all know that I was a little hesitant to rock rompers at first, but this summer, I have turned over a new leaf, and I’m all about them. This romper, in particular, is extra special because of the detailing on the sleeves. I love how the left arm of the garment laces up and the grommet detailing continues throughout the top of the romper. It’s definitely an interesting take on the average romper, and it’s very comfortable. If you love this romper and you’re looking to score the same exact one, you can use my code “NATALIEXCRAIG” for 15% off your next Fashion Nova purchase.

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 2X, which is my usual size, and the romper fits perfectly! The garment does stretch a bit, and the material is very soft.

 

 

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

 

Grab your heels ladies, we’re getting girly on the blog today! But first, let me start with an update. If you haven’t noticed, my hair is blonder than usual—much blonder! I visited my fabulous hair stylist Anastasia Amico last week and we took my hair blonder than we ever have before. To be honest, it took me quite a bit of time to get used to my hair being this blonde, but I absolutely love it!

Photography by: Rorie Raimondi

 

 

 

Society + sent me this Anne Lace Skirt to review. All opinions are 110% my own.

 

Don’t you sleep better at night knowing that there is a form-fitting, sexy body con dress just waiting for you in your closet, and in a moment’s notice you can slip it on and feel like a total goddess? OK. This may be a little (understatement) dramatic, but I really cant express the satisfaction of having a dress that hugs every curve just right. And I’m back in my element, which is only wearing black and white. Hah! Embracing color was fun for a while, but I’m digging the black and white details of this dress.

This Enzo Knit Dress from Fashion Nova Curve is a simple, yet bold garment. I hear that plus size women should stay away from stripes—especially horizontal ones—but I’m saying, “F that!” The difference in the thickness of the lines creates an amazing silhouette, and creates a very flattering shape on a curvy figure. This dress is perfect for a dinner date, the club, or just for a day of running errands. But guess what? I also wear it to work? By pairing the dress with a chiffon-like button up dress, it makes the garment more modest, but also allows the stripes to peak through. And you ladies know that I am all about a versatile garment!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 2X in the Enzo Knit Dress, which is my usual size. The dress fits perfectly, however, I wish it was a little tighter. After wearing the dress all day, the material stretches out and doesn’t fit as close to my body as it did at first. I would order one size smaller than usual.

 Photography by: Rorie Raimondi

 

 

 

Fashion Nova sent me this Enzo Knit Dress to review. All opinions are 110% my own!

When I am in need of a little escape from real life, I slip into this outfit. Although I can’t run off on a  tropical getaway at a moments notice, this outfit makes me feel like I’m on a beach or sipping on a Piña Colada poolside. And I guess that’s a good enough getaway from my typical work dress pants and blazer.

The top and pants are part of the Brittany Sunrise Tropical set from Fashion Nova Curve,
and they are the newest addition to my collection of tropical floral printed garments that I have been obsessively wearing since the start of the summer. I love the cut of the pants because I don’t have anything currently like them in my closet. I also like that depending on how you walk, they could look like a skirt or pants. I love the idea of the one shoulder crop top. However, the top only sizes up to an XL, which is two sizes too small for me. While I was able to fit into it, the garment was a little tight. But altogether, this was an adorable outfit that had me feeling exotic and sexy!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a 3X in the Brittany Sunrise Tropical pants, which is one size larger than my usual size. I am wearing an XL in the Brittany Sunrise Tropical top, which is two sizes smaller than my usual size, but the largest size that the top comes in. The top is too small, and doesn’t provide much coverage for my chest.