When I posted half of this look on Instagram the day before Valentine’s Day, everyone went nuts over the sweater. So even though Valentine’s Day has passed, I’d like to share this outfit with you all!

I came across this sweater At Gordmans, I wasn’t looking for something like this, but it caught my eye and I had to have it. I didn’t what I was going to wear it with. It was just too cute to pass up so I figured I’d find something to wear with it whether it be jeans, leggings, or this slip skirt.

The sweater had been sitting in my closet for a month, and I hadn’t found anything to wear it with. I got this plus size satin midi skirt from Eloquii, but I never considered it to be a match for this sweater. However, there was one morning—the day before Valentine’s Day—when I woke up wanting to wear the sweater so bad, and I was determined to find a match for it. Now, keep in mind that I wake up at 5 AM to go to work—so it’s completely dark in my apartment other than my lights that are on, which aren’t that great. It just so happened that I had just unboxed this Eloquii skirt and it was laying on the couch. I looked at the skirt and then in the mirror and thought I saw neon green dots on the sweater that matched the skirt. Well, I would later learn—once I got into fluorescent lighting—that the green neon dots were actually yellow. Can you guys tell from looking at the pictures that the yellow and the green are different? It wasn’t the biggest difference, but the colors really didn’t go together.

This look ended up being a super cute one that I hope to wear again. I absolutely adore the sweater and the skirt, and I can’t wait till gets warmer so I can wear the skirt every day. I never thought that I would be a fan of the slip skirt, but it became so popular and I just couldn’t avoid it. Since I first wore this plus size leopard print slip skirt from Common Assembly, I’ve been pretty hooked.

SIZING INFO: I am wearing an XL in the sweater, which is one size down from my usual size, and the sweater still fits perfectly. I am wearing a 18 in the plus size satin midi skirt, which is my usual size, and the skirt fits perfectly. 

If you were to take a look at my closet, you wouldn’t even be able to guess what style I primarily lean toward or if I have a favorite color. That’s because I get new clothes almost on a daily basis, and one article never looks like another. I love embracing trends and discovering new styles for curves, but that usually means that I have so many pieces of clothing in my wardrobe that don’t pair well and go out of season quickly. After purging my closet once a month—yes, once a month—and color-coding it, I have decided to hold myself to a challenge for 2020—or as most would say, *a New Years Resolution*: Buy fewer statement pieces and more classic, staple clothing.

But does this mean that I stop shopping and indulging in statement clothing that makes me feel inspired? No! It just means that I have to shop smarter. Enter Gordmans, my favorite off-price retailer. Not only does Gordmans buy excess inventory from my favorite brands and designers to offer me a huge discount, but they are also always looking out for us curvy girls. When I shop at Gordmans, I walk in feeling confident that I am going to get the best deal and walk out with on-trend styles I’ve been craving.

So, I decided to put my love for Gordmans to the test to see if I could find a classic, staple outfit that could work for a variety of different outfits and styles so that I could also buy just a few statement pieces to create endless looks. Let’s see how I did! Also: I am giving you the chance to win a $100 gift card to Gordmans at the end of this post, so stay tuned! 

The Basics
I have been looking for a really comfortable pair of true black jeans, and when I set my sights on these YMI skinny jeans, I was in love. They were so soft to the touch, and sure enough, when I tried them on, they instantly became my new favorite pair of jeans. I also found this tank top with a zipper accent, which I could wear all day every day with anything—exactly what I was looking for! I determined that this was going to be my staple look. It’s black, classic, and comfortable, which checks off every box I had when it came to finding classic clothing.

I got this entire outfit for less than $25, which left me some extra cash to spend on statement pieces. Having an outfit like this that I can plop into any look makes me feel better about spending money on items that may not go with everything, but will certainly pair well with black.

A Pop of Color 
This cardigan caught my eye as soon as I walked into Gordmans. I instantly told myself, “No, we are here for staple clothes only!” This cardigan was the opposite of classic. However, it was only $16, and if I found a staple look like the one above, this cardigan could pair well with that and other monochromatic looks that I plan out. So I decided to indulge in this statement piece. It’s so comfortable, and the color brings a smile to my face and livens up any outfit I wear it with. I wore this outfit to the office one week, and everyone complimented me!

On-Trend Now: The Teddy Coat 
One of the trends that I have really been wanting to try is the teddy coat. These cozy jackets are so cute, but I fear that they won’t be around for much longer. So when I found this gorgeous cropped teddy coat for only $24, I had zero regrets buying it. And, I knew it would go perfectly with the staple look that I had created!

Can Prints be a Staple? 
This is a question I have been pondering for a while because of how prevalent leopard is. I have been wanting to incorporate more of it into my wardrobe, but I am trying to contemplate whether or not it will be a staple or a fad. One rule that I think I can live by when it comes to embracing this trend is to find a pattern that has a modern take on the trend and that is neutral, like this sweater. The print is updated and it will go with anything in my closet. Therefore, I didn’t feel excessive when I bought this because I knew that it was versatile, and even if it became a fad in a couple of months, I loved it.

GIVEAWAY
Whether you love shopping at Gordmans or you’re looking to experience the magic of finding your favorite styles and brands at a fraction of the price, enter my giveaway to win aa $100 Gordmans gift card! Here are the rules:
1. Follow Gordmans on Instagram
2. Comment on my most recent Instagram post: HERE featuring my new favorite finds from Gordmans! Tell us what styles your excited to find at Gordmans!
We will choose a winner at random on Friday!

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!

Ever since I donated this pleated faux-leather skirt a couple of years ago, I have been craving a more sophisticated version of it. I found the skirt at a boutique in St. Petersberg, Florida in 2015, but faux leather is having a huge moment right now, which means that I can find this style just about anywhere today.

I happened upon this Faux Leather Trumpet skirt while getting my latest faux-leather fix at Eloquii. I loved that the skirt is pleated, but that the pleats are flattened at the top and then add volume toward the bottom. One of the biggest problems I had with my other pleated skirt was that the pleats started right at the waistband, hiding my figure and adding more volume to my hips. This faux-leather pleated midi skirt from Eloquii is also constructed beautifully with high-quality materials, and I love the way it moves with my body. I can envision dressing this up and down with button-up shirts or cozy sweaters, but for this look, I opted for a sophisticated, chic look with this Mixed Media Blouse. I fell in love with the black version of this top, but it sold out so quickly, so I decided to opt for the white. I am so happy with this decision though because the white has been a refreshing addition to my rather dark wardrobe. I’ve worn this blouse with my wide-leg satin pants from Universal Standard, and I have so many other looks in mind to pair it with.

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 18 in both the Faux Leather Trumpet skirt and the Mixed Media Blouse, which is my usual size, and both garments fit perfectly! The faux-leather skirt is stretchy in the waistband and the leather even has some stretch to it. The top is very much fitted and has a shorter fit than the typical blouse. 

I haven’t written anything for my blog in a while because I have been busy traveling and working on side projects, but I am really looking forward to what’s coming for Natalie in the City. While I have been busy plotting my next move behind the scenes, I have also been trying to elevate my style game. Let’s keep it real, your girl loves some cozy yoga pants and sweatshirts—like a little too much. If I didn’t have a 9-to-5, my wardrobe wouldn’t be comprised of sweatpants.

But for some reason, I have had the urge to dress to the nines every day. Maybe it’s because it’s my birthday month and I am feeling particularly optimistic and confident. I have also been on the hunt for as much faux leather as I can get my hands on. So much so that this outfit is a head-to-toe faux leather look. I never ever thought I would be this obsessed with the material and texture of faux leather, but here we are. I got this whole look from Eloquii where I first fell in love with these Plus Size Coated Skinny Jeans. I came across the Flare Sleeve Tie Waist Faux Leather Top around the same time I found the jeans, and it hadn’t yet occurred to me that I could pair these together.  However, when I was trying on the clothes, I matched them together and decided it wasn’t bad. I wore this look out for a day to see if I felt confident and got any weird stares. Throughout the day, I got tons of compliments, and I must have felt confident because even after I got home, I didn’t want to take the look off. Aside from this outfit, I am so excited to see how else I can wear the Flare Sleeve Tie Waist Faux Leather Top. It’s such a striking and sexy piece. And of course, the jeans will go with anything! I topped off the look with Eloquii’s Wide Calf Knee-high Riko Boots.

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a size 18 in both the Plus Size Coated Skinny Jeans and the Flare Sleeve Tie Waist Faux Leather Top, which is my regular size, and both garments fit perfectly!