Unlike most fashionistas, I tend not to accessorize too much. It’s not that I have never been into jewelry or accessories, but it’s more so that I just never think to put any on as I am rushing out the door every morning. However, this is not the case when it comes to eyewear. I take my sunnies game very seriously!

Shopping Ray-Ban sunglasses at Kohls

I recently added some cool frames to my roster that I had been eyeing for a while These Black Ray-Ban Aviator Frames from Kohl’s were exactly what I had been looking for when it comes to a versatile style that can easily be worn with any look, any time.  This style of frame was originally designed in 1973 with pilots in mind, but they have since evolved into a style everyone loves to wear. Aviator-style sunglasses have always suited my face very well, but I have never had a black pair. I decided to take a risk and order these ones from Kohl’s, which was super easy, and I love that I got Kohl’s Cash to use on a future purchase!

Ray-Bans look great with every outfit

Because the sunglasses are black, they are extremely versatile. Today, I had a meeting downtown and therapy right after. I was wearing one of my go-to looks—a leather jacket, gray crop top, and ripped black jeans—and these sunnies elevated the look and gave it more of an edgy feel. Since these aviators are my first pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses, there were a few things I noticed that I loved right away. The first being that the glasses were so lightweight that sometimes I even forgot about them being on my face, which means that I was walking around inside casinos with my glasses on—and that’s actually not out of the ordinary for Vegas so I fit right in. I also loved how compact they were when I folded them because they fit in every purse I carried throughout the trip and never took up too much room.

Overall, I am very excited about my new purchase, and I can’t wait to experience the endless ways I can pair my Ray-Ban sunnies with every outfit in my wardrobe!

Thank you to Kohl’s for sponsoring this post. I am a huge proponent of brands that promote inclusivity and sell high-quality, well-fitting clothing and accessories. 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!

 

 

 

 

 

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I recently just took the brand trip of my dreams to San Francisco and Napa with Chic Soul. I have been working with Chic Soul for a long time—since 2016 to be exact. And I was so excited to be with the brand in California to celebrate the launch of their Fall/Napa Valley line!

We stayed in a beautiful estate in the hills of Tiburon—right outside of San Francisco—and we traveled to Napa twice to ride in a hot air balloon and then to visit local wineries. The trip was wonderful, and the clothes are even better! Something I really love about the Napa Valley collection is that there is something in the line for every kind of girl. I only wore the collection during the trip, and at first, I was a little worried that I wouldn’t have an outfit for every occasion, but as soon as I saw the Napa Valley Line, all of my worries were calmed. I was very impressed with the versatility of some of the pieces and I also loved that I could take almost anything from day to night. There were dressier looks for fancy dinners, slouchy chic looks for pizza night, and fun dresses that could take me anywhere. This collection is also perfect for fall as it boasts cozy sweaters and statement cardigans. I was never bored with any of my looks, and I truly felt that the mix and matching possibilities were endless.

When I arrived at the estate, I was feeling bougie—it was a $14 million mansion overlooking San Francisco. So I slipped on this Dream Date Maxi Dress and roamed around one of the house’s charming courtyards. I am wearing a size 2X in this dress, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly! The dress comes with shorts so that you aren’t having a see through moment, which I loved!

The second Chic Soul look I wore from the Napa Valley Collection was this Take on The Night Dress when we went to Fisherman’s Wharf for dinner on the first night. It was perfect for the mild temps and I loved how it fit my body. I am wearing a 2X here, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly! 

My third and one of my most favorite looks was this Early Dismissal Skirt and Born Beautiful Top combo, which I wore when we went up in the hot air balloon. While it was very chilly that morning, I felt that this outfit would be perfect for creating whimsical images thousands of feet above Napa. And I was right…just look at these photos! I am wearing a 2X in the top and skirt, which is my usual size, and the top fits perfectly. I feel like I could have sized down on the skirt because it was so stretchy. And I didn’t need to worry about any of the buttons gaping because only the top two were functional!

After we came back from our hot air balloon adventures, my blogger friend Britney and I ventured out to San Francisco to take pictures near the Golden Gate Bridge. I had a feeling we may be doing quite a bit of hiking since San Fran is such a hilly city, So I kept my looks simple with these Because I can Capris and I switched off between the Angel In You Sweater and this Pouring My Heart Out Sweater. I loved the slouchy fit of the white one and the more true fit of the red. They were beautiful. I am wearing a 2X in the Pouring My Heart Out sweater, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly. I was actually wearing a size 1X in the Angel In You Sweater, and because it is supposed to be an oversized fit, it actually ran a little big on me.

On day three as we headed off to the winery tour. I wanted to wear something chic and whimsical, but I wanted to add a little bit of edge to my look. So I chose to pair this Cotton Candy Skies Dress with this Nights in Soho Cardigan, which ended up serving me well as the temperatures dropped a little as we headed into Napa. I thought this look was so beautiful, and I cannot wait to wear the cardigan with anything and everything this fall. I am wearing a 1X in the dress, which is one size smaller than my usual size, but the 2X was being worn by someone else. The dress actually fit me pretty well, although I would rather have my actual size. I am wearing a size 2X in the cardigan, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly!

After the winery tour in Napa, we were exhausted… and a little tipsy. So I changed into some cozy sweaters to lounge around in. However, when we finally mustered up enough energy, Britney and I ran around the estate’s grounds and I ended up falling off of a hammock….twice. Needless to say, we had a great time, and we also looked great. I am wearing the Shot of Espresso Sweater,
which immediately caught my eye because of the color scheme. I decided to pair them with my Dig Deep Skinny Jeans. I was definitely catching fall vibes when I came across this Autumn Chill Sweater, which I lounged around in after my traumatic fall off of the hammock. LOL I was wearing a 1X in both the Autumn Chill Sweater and the Shot of Espresso Sweater, which is a size smaller than my usual size, but the sweaters fit perfectly.

I also wanted to take this time to thank Chic Soul for this trip. Not only was the entire week a total blast, but getting to know the people at the foundation of the brand was delightful. They will forever be a favorite brand of mine!

It’s an exciting month because my favorite store, Gordmans, is growing! Gordmans recently opened 72 new locations and is extending their Grand Opening Tour to 17 more stores! And I got to stop by my local store in Valparaiso, Indiana to stock up on some fall sweaters while staying in budget! If you have never heard of Gordmans, they are an off-price retailer, which means they buy excess inventory from designer names and sell them at a fraction of the price. Gordmans’ mission is to thrill every guest with fun finds and exciting deals at every turn, whether you are looking for fashion or home decor! I love shopping brands like Express, Nine West, Lane Bryant, and more at Gordmans, and the best part is that I never have to pay full price. Every Gordmans I have ever been to has an amazing plus size selection for both juniors and women, which provides access to these high-quality brands for plus size individuals who may not live near shopping malls or in metropolitan cities. I’m so happy that Gordmans is growing, and for my Chicago people, I am hoping there will be more store openings in the Chicagoland area! But for now, an hour drive to Valparaiso, Indiana, is so worth it to me!

A Chic Fall
When I arrived at Gordmans, I found everything I needed for fall, including cozy sweaters! The first sweater than caught my eye was this ___ shall. I paired it with some Express ripped denim and some Fergalicious knee high boots. These boots were not marked as wide calf, but they were very stretchy around the calf and fit me perfectly. Gordmans does sell wide calf boots, though! I also found this chic conductor hat, which was the perfect way to top off the look.
Shall: $16.99
Jeans: $22.99
Boots: $19.99
Hat: 6.99

Sexy, Cozy, Cool
This right here is my ideal fall outfit. I love to keep it simple, but I feel like this is such a classic, beautiful look. Instead of going with an average pair of black denim, I went for these coated jeans that have a shiny finish. I thought it would add a great contrast, and it totally did. As far as accessorizing goes, the possibilities are endless when it comes to a look like this. I kept it simple, but I could definitely see me adding a black coat with a scarf when winter comes!
Sweater: $12.99
Jeans: $8.99
Booties: $16.99

Just For Fun
When I saw this rainbow shredded sweater, I initially didn’t like it. However, I tried it on for fun, and I ended up loving it! It’s so versatile, and honestly, I have never seen anything like it. I wanted to pair the sweater with some light jeans to keep the attention on the sweater. I love that I could either wear sneakers or some simple heels with this outfit.
Sweater: $16.99
Jeans: $12.99

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!

 

Attending New York Fashion Week has been a dream of mine ever since I could dress myself. Every year, I’d patiently watch NYFW unfold on social media while promising myself that I would be there “next year.” Well, this was finally my year! I had some shows that I wanted to attend on my schedule, but I ended up being so in love with the vibe and activities at theCURVYcon that I spent most of my time there. If you haven’t heard of theCURVYcon, it is basically the plus size version of NYFW where full-figured women (and men) gather to network, shop, and celebrate themselves. When theCURVYcon came onto the scene five years ago, I dreamt of going and being among a community of women that were just like me. Every time I attend a plus size-focused event, I feel so full and inspired…and theCURVYcon didn’t disappoint.

My trip to New York was very short just because I am traveling a lot this month, but I made the most of it! I had four looks, which were each pretty unique in their own way.

Plus size New York Fashion Week Outfits I wore

DAY ONE
When I was planning out my looks for theCURVYcon, this one was immediately my favorite. I bought this Sergio Tee Dress from Ashley Nell Tipton when I attended The Curvy Fashionista Style Expo and Conference in August. I was just going to pair it with a black mini dress, but I knew I had to turn it up a couple of notches for NYFW. I went with this So Smooth Satin Mini Dress in Neon Pink, and it looked amazing! It even caught the attention of Lydia Hudgens, one of the most prominent New York fashion photographers (IMO), and she photographed it for InStyle Magazine: The Plus-Size Women Who Are Ruling The Street Style Game This Fashion Week. I topped the look off with this adorable black and white striped acrylic clutch. I knew this bag would go with every single one of my planned looks, but would also bring some contrast to each look.
Black Dress: Sergio Tee Dress
Pink Dress: So Smooth Satin Mini Dress
Purse: black and white striped acrylic clutch

 

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NIGHT ONE 
There was a cocktail party at Anthropologie to celebrate the company’s new A+ line. While I initially wanted to wear something that reflected the Anthropologie line, I was feeling really tired and wanted to go for a more laid back look. But of course, I didn’t want to sacrifice style. So I decided to pair this Super Thick T-shirt with these Maggi Cargo Pants from Universal Standard and some black heels. I stood out like a sore thumb as pretty much everyone wore flowy, whimsical dresses. But hey, isn’t that the point of NYFW….to stand out?

 

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T-Shirt: Super Thick T-shirt
Maggi Cargo Pants: Maggi Cargo Pants
Purse: black and white striped acrylic clutch

DAY TWO
I was so worried about this ASOS DESIGN Curve Tie Waist Jumpsuit in Mono Geo Print being too simple for an event like theCURVYcon and NYFW, but I was so wrong. I ended up pairing this look with the boldest cat eye I have ever drawn, and I wore Pat McGrath’s Faux Paux lilac lipstick on my lips and under my eyes. As soon as I put this look on, I felt as confident as ever. I even got Urban Decay’s approval on my eyeliner via Instagram! It was truly a moment.

Jumpsuit: ASOS DESIGN Curve Tie Waist Jumpsuit in Mono Geo Print
Purse: black and white striped acrylic clutch

NIGHT TWO
Day two was the hardest when it came to outfit changes because I was living out of my small carry on bag, and I had to check out of my hotel at 10. I had to change into a dress for the homecoming-themed closing cocktail party, and then I had to change before I went to the airport later that night. It was chaos, but I made it work. My final look during theCURVYcon was this gorgeous Shine Like the Night Sequin Dress from Fashion Nova Curve. Because the party was homecoming-themed, a lot of the girls said they were going to wear actual formal dresses. I had a formal sequin dress packed in my carry on, but it ended up being too heavy so I replaced it with this bodycon last minute—and I am so glad I did! This dress felt more true to my style, and I felt amazing in it! Of course, like Cinderella at the ball, I had to rush off into my uber just before the party ended so I could make it to the airport to catch my flight. I planned on changing in the bathroom at the party, but there were long lines, and I didn’t feel like changing into sweatpants and being seen by everyone at the party….so I went to the airport like this. It was a thrill.

Dress: Shine Like the Night Sequin Dress
Purse: black and white striped acrylic clutch

When I first saw this romper on my friend Britney, I knew I needed to have it. However, at first glance, I thought it as a dress. “It’s a romper!” Britney told me. And just like that, I was obsessed. I love the bright fuchsia color and the ruffles were darling. But can we just address the fact that I said that I loved “ruffles and fuchsia” together? I feel like this would have never even been in my vocabulary a couple of years ago. Well, at least we know I am evolving…into a girly girl. UGH.

Here’s to me embracing my feminine side more and more instead of sticking to boring color palettes and basic clothing! This Going International Romper is from Chic Soul, which is the cutest plus size boutique ever! I have worn their clothing to Paris, out to brunch, and I have some really cute fall looks that I will be sharing with you very soon. I am also traveling to Napa, California with the brand in a couple of weeks, and I am so excited! But let’s get back to this romper! The bust area was a little loose or just had a really deep, plunging neckline so I had to improvise a bit because my tatas were falling out a bit. I paired the romper with a gorgeous fuchsia lingerie teddy, which worked so well, and I really loved the way it turned out!

I included a lot of fun fuchsia pieces in the shop widget below if you’re feeling some pink envy after reading this post!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a 2X, which is my usual size, and it fits pretty well. The romper zips on the side, and while it does have some stretch in it, it can be a tight fit for some with a bigger booty or thighs. The bust area was either really big on me or it’s supposed to have a low dip, which is why I paired it with a lingerie teddy. 

Okay, I think it is officially time where everyone and their mother is going to start talking about fall. My grocery store officially has Halloween decorations on display and pumpkins for sale in the floral department, and it was like 70 degrees this weekend…so is it fall or nah? Naturally, I spent my entire weekend online shopping for cozy cardigans, ripped jeans, wide calf boots, and everything else I love to wear in the fall. But I am afraid I may be too eager—it’s mid-August after all.

But nonetheless, I got to wear a fall look this weekend, and I am so excited to show it to you! This outfit was created when I found this La Ville Duster Cardigan, and it made me want to create a fall look that could also work for the warmer days. So I paired the cardigan with this Always on the Cargo Mini Skirt and a black crop top. When it gets a bit colder, I will probably top this look off with some over the knee boots, but for now, these open toe black booties were perfect.

I scored this whole look from Fashion Nova Curve! If you love this look, you can get it for 20% off using the code NATINTHECITY at check out!

SIZING INFO: I am wearing a 2X in the La Ville Duster Cardigan, which is my usual size, and it fits perfectly! This cardigan is very soft and stretchy. I am wearing a 2X in the Always on the Cargo Mini Skirt, which is my usual size, but the skirt fits tight. I was able to zip it up and button it after. few huffs and puffs, and once I wear wearing it, the skirt stretched a bit. The material is not as stretchy as it looks, so I would recommend sizing up if you can!