Cassandra We hope you enjoyed Assa of My Curves and Curls. Today’s blogger spotlight is Chicago-based Jackie of Curvy Fabulosity! This over 45 blogger brings a touch of sexy to everything she wears. Preferring to shop local boutiques, Jackie is helping put Chicago on the map as a plus size fashion hub. She is a plus size blogger YOU NEED TO KNOW!!
Meet Jackie of Curvy Fabulosity!!
Blog: www.curvyfabulosity.com
Age: 47
Height: 5’5”
Location: Chicago
How long have you been blogging? 2 years
What or who inspired you to become a fashion blogger? What led you to it?
Simply put… my love of fashion! I followed a few bloggers, and always thought that it was something that I wanted to try. Never did because I didn’t think I had the time nor did I think I had the resources. I shared my desire to blog with a few friends, and every one of them told me to go for it because they thought I had a lot to offer.
So I figured, what the heck? Recently, I met a super dope photographer, and asked if he would help me. He agreed, we got to work, and on May 1st 2015, Curvy Fabulosity was born!
Evolution
Do you blog full-time, for fun, as a hobby? Share your evolution!
Right now, I am blogging part time. I would love to be able to do it full time, but at this time it is just not feasible, because… bills! Exploring ways to monetize the blog has begun, however I don’t want to allow myself to get too caught up in that. I just want to focus on putting out good, useful content, and having fun with it. What God has for me is for me. I just have to trust the process.
What is your favorite asset? Your legs, arms, waist? How do you play that up?
Hmmmmm… that changes on any given day! It depends on what I am wearing. The right pair of jeans can have me loving my hind parts; the right top with the proper neckline can have me saying “yaaaasss, come thru cleavage!”. The perfect lippie can have me taking kissy face selfies all day! LOL I am a sum total of all of my parts, and they are all assets, and I try to love them all equally.
Challenges
What are the challenges, if any, you face regarding being plus size?
Not allowing myself to get caught up in societal standards of beauty. We as women are our own worst critic. Couple that with being plus size, and the imbalanced representation of plus sized models/influencers, and it’s easy to get down on yourself.
FAVES
What’s your favorite thing about being plus size?
Being a part of such an awesome community! I recently attended a Curvy Girl Conference in Chicago, and the vibe was bananas! The plus size community for the most part is tight knit and supportive. At least the people that I have met…. I am sure there are those who don’t have that same sense of community, but I have been fortunate in that I have not experienced any negativity.
What’s your favorite thing about being a blogger?
Connecting with and inspiring people! I have learned that you never really know the effect that you on people and who’s watching! Very recently, I was on a conference call at work, and one of the participants recognized my name and asked if I was the same Jackie Paytes who was a blogger….turns out that she was a follower, and said she really liked my style and had been inspired!
Those are the moments you live for as a blogger, and what keep you going.
Who/what are your favorite designers/brands?
When I started blogging, I was into the major stores. Ashley Stewart, Torrid, Lane Bryant, and my earlier blog posts reflected that. Lately, I am more of a boutique shopper. That started as a result of me supporting friends who own boutiques, but it has evolved into me shopping almost exclusively at local boutiques.
One reason is exclusivity – you are less likely to see multiple people rocking your outfit at events, and also, because I think it’s important to support small business. A $100 purchase at a local boutique goes a lot further and is appreciated a lot more than a $100 purchase at one of the major brands.
Who Are You
Describe your personal style.
I say that I am trendy, with a touch of Vixen! My everyday style is casual and comfortable. However, no matter what I am wearing, whether it’s jeans and a tee shirt or an evening gown, I always find a way to incorporate an element of sexy Vixen! Whether it’s a sexy shoe or a red lip, or the hairstyle I choose…there’s a touch of sexy there.
Which bloggers inspire you? Plus or straight size! Any bloggers currently on your radar?
This may seem like a cop out answer, but I draw inspiration from everywhere! I love to recreate a look and put my special Vixen touch on it. But as it relates to bloggers, you have the OG’s in the game, but I am discovering new bloggers everyday to be inspired by.
To name two I am checking for lately… Plus Size: Laura Wize of Oh Wize One – I have LOVED watching the evolution of her blog and style in the past year. We started around the same time, and I am super proud of her. Straight Size: Lauren Catherine of Lo Cat. She’s a very recent discovery for me, and I am loving everything about her right now!
Plus Size Fashion
What do you think about where plus size fashion is today versus a few years back?
I’m feeling much better than I was when I started two years ago. Of course, there still much work to do, but there are more lanes being opened for the plus sized community. There are more collaboration and campaign opportunities. Just recently, Gabi Fresh launched a swimsuit line.
Before that, Essie Golden and Chante Burkett of Everything Curvy and Chic partnered with Rebdolls on a swimsuit line. People are paying attention…..I say, let’s give ‘em something to talk about!
What do you think or hear from readers, is one of the biggest myths about plus size fashion?
That plus size women have limits on what they should wear. Look….fashion is relative. Wear whatever in the hell you want is what I say! One of the bloggers I follow, Lace N Leopard has a feature #samefitdonethick where she (or one of her followers) takes an outfit from a straight size photo, and recreates it as plus size. I love that feature because it highlights that there are no limits!
The Extras
Are you working on anything or have anything to share?
I want to make some noise in Chicago! We’re slept on as it relates to opportunities. I’m working on collaborating with the boutiques, models and organizations here to do some things and make a little noise in the plus size arena.
I also have a line of graphic tees that bear the brand name that I launched last year, that I am revamping for relaunch. Lastly, there’s a new line that I am working on strictly for the boss babe entrepreneurs I have encountered over the last couple of years. I am excited about 2018!Lastly, what does Curvy.Confident.Chic mean to you?
That’s easy….it just means being Unapologetically You and loving yourself, flaws and all!
Check out Jackie’s blog at CurvyFabulosity.com!!
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