We hope you enjoyed meeting up with New Yorker Alessa of Prince & Mott last week.ย This week, weโre heading to the west coast to bring you the lovely Amy of The Chief of Style.ย I personally first learned about Amyโs blog when we introduced ourselves after an eBay transaction!ย (I love the internet!)ย Once clued in on Chief of Style, Amyโs amazing honesty, intersectional approach to fashion, body image, and life, and of course, her superb fashion, make Amy a blogger to follow.
Amy of Chief of Style is a plus size blogger YOU NEED TO KNOW!!
Meet Amy of Chief of Style!!
Blog: ย The Chief of Style
Age: ย 33
Height: ย 5โ8โณ
Location: ย Los Angeles
How long have you been blogging?
I first began blogging in 2009 as a way to create a portfolio to get into graduate school for journalism. It was called NativeJournalist.com and featured mostly Native American-related news/content. While I built up a bit of a following, I didnโt keep it going because I felt pigeon-holed given that it only represented one part of my identity.
The Chief of Style, in my opinion, allows for a broader range of coverage areas because while the word โChiefโ is a nod to my Native heritage, itโs not restrictively so. I finally launched CoS in late May, though Iโd been building a small following on Instagram leading up to it.
What or who inspired you to become a fashion blogger? What led you to it?
I have always loved fashion โ since i was a little girl. Iโve always loved the feeling of wearing something new (or new to you) and the power it gives you to create a new image each and every time if you want. It was only natural that Iโd eventually blend my writing skills with my โpassion for fashionโ (especially when it became clear there was room in the body positivity and +size fashion space). Part of my fashion journey and style expression has also been, in part, related to my self-love journey.
The more I see myself in photos looking thick and curvyโฆand beautiful at the same time, the more I begin to accept all of the parts of me I hated for so long. The idea first came to me, though, when I started selling vintage clothing on Poshmark and eBay while I was unemployed and living in Miami, Florida.
It was my main source of income. I felt like I would have had even more success had I had an already established audience on another platform to drive customers to my store(s). Now, I have a quarter of a million followers on Poshmark, but Iโm rarely on the app. (I really need to get back to it!)
Do you blog full-time, for fun, as a hobby? Share your evolution!
I blog full-time, but I also work from home and have a lot of flexibility in my (paying) job. Iโve been getting things for free for several months now because of my blog and Instagram (@ChiefofStyle), but it seems things are beginning to shift and Iโll now be able to ask for money in addition to free things. lol
What is your favorite asset? Your legs, arms, waist? How do you play that up?
I love a lot of parts of my body: My face (especially my eyes and smile), my legs, my cleavage, my shape in general, and my height. I also love how my feet look in heels. I definitely play all of that up, but I donโt think I consciously do so. When Iโm looking for styles to wear for my blog, I usually just go for whatever looks interesting or tells a story. It really helps with creating the content (words) to support the photos in my posts.
What are the challenges, if any, you face regarding being plus size?
The first would be self criticism. Iโve always been extremely hard on myself โ cruel even, if Iโm being honest. My biggest challenge has been in loving myself exactly where and how I am. Itโs a daily challenge, but Iโve come a long way.
Up until now, Iโd say the other big challenge is a practical one: How do I look fierce if I canโt find clothing in my size? But with so many new brands for curvy women, thereโs almost too many choices!
Other than that, maybe it would be finding someone who isnโt afraid, embarrassed, (fill-in-the-blank feeling)โฆabout being with a taller woman whoโs plus size. Iโm queer and I donโt date cis men. Women, in particular, donโt hit on other womenโฆat least they never ever hit on me IRL, but thatโs probably not simply because Iโm +size. Itโs just a thing, but itโs one of my intersectional challenges, I suppose.ย
Whatโs your favorite thing about being plus size?
In some ways, I think being plus size is the ultimate expression of feminism. Specifically, it means taking up more space in a world that tells women they should be small. Men are allowed to โman spreadโ on trains and buses, etc., allowing little room for a woman (or anyone else) to fit.
As a bigger woman, I take up more space than the average woman and do so unapologetically. Being plus size and knowing youโre beautiful also flies in the face of established beauty standards for women. Wearing cute, sexy, fierce, etc. clothing when youโre thicker is basically a โF-youโ to anyone whoโd dare tell you youโre anything less than a damn goddess!
Whatโs your favorite thing about being a blogger?
Iโve worked full time as a journalist and I love writing/producing content (photos, videos, etc.). But I love that as a blogger Iโm not restricted with regard to topic, position, length, overall look/feel, etc. I can basically do whatever I want and I like that. I also love that being a blogger has given me access to opportunities I would otherwise not be privy to and a platform to reach a bigger, yet more targeted audience.
Who/what are your favorite designers/brands?
I absolutely love Eloquii! Their designs incorporate beautiful patterns, rich fabrics, often whimsical motifs, and their clothing is so well made. Plus, everyone who works there (from customer service to the design team) is a total doll. Theyโre so passionate about what they do and very dedicated to the customers they serve. I feel good spending my money on clothing made by a company that actually cares about its customers.
I also really like Universal Standard for itโs minimalistic simplicity. ASOS Curve has great high fashion looks for curvy women which is not something we can easily find sometimes. Forever21+ and Boohoo are there when I need a really cute going out outfit. And I love that stores like NY&Co., Target, Nordstrom, among a host of other brick and mortar stores, are really beginning to understand and cater to their plus size customers. Itโs so nice to be able to go into a store and actually try on something!
Describe your personal style.
This is such a hard question because my style varies by the day. For that reason, I think itโs best described as eclectic, but thatโs not really telling you anything. lol I love vintage clothing (especially sequin blazers and the 90s grunge look), but I also love the more preppy Sunday brunch chic look.
Sometimes you may see me in jeans, sneakers, and a sweatshirt, while other times Iโm in heels, a short bodycon skirt and heels. I love to change it up. Fashion to me is like dress up. You can be whomever you want just by putting on โ or taking off โ an item or two.ย
Which bloggers inspire you? Plus or straight size! Any bloggers currently on your radar?
Oh my gosh! So many!! I especially love TrendyCurvy, BeautiCurve, Style Me Samira, Nicolette Mason (another queer femme), Gabi Gregg (we went to the same womenโs college), Hayet Rida, Kellie Brown/And I Get Dressed, Girl With Curves, and last but definitely not least, Sometimes Glam, just to name a few.
What do you think about where plus size fashion is today versus a few years back?
Iโve often bounced between straight size and plus size (Iโve usually been a 10/12 to as large as a 16/18). A few years back, I was ashamed to be a 16/18. I was also depressed and unemployed, living in a part of the country I hatedโฆso, it really wasnโt the best time for me.
And when Iโm at my lowest, I usually turn my unhappiness with the outside world inward. So, in 2014/2015, I was really depressed. Iโd gained a lot of weight and didnโt feel very good about myself, mostly because all I wore were leggings and tank tops. I didnโt know where to shop for my newly plus size figure and, to me, at the time, being plus size was something to be embarrassedย about, not proud of.
I constantly talked about needing to lose weight. I was lucky that I had a really supportive partner at the time who loved me just as I was โ depressed and all. I *wish* Iโd known there was another option: to love myself just as I was and rock the curves I was given. Iโm so grateful that Iโve gotten to that point now. Truly grateful.ย
What do you think or hear from readers, is one of the biggest myths about plus size fashion?
The biggest myths about plus size fashion are that a) there are rules that need to be followed and b) that +size fashion canโt be trend setting. I think some folks still believe plus size women shouldnโt wear large prints, stripes, or anything that shows off too much skin.
And, I think thereโs also the misconception that plus size clothing isnโt fashion forward. What I secretly love is when a straight size woman nearly dies over my outfit and asks where I got it and I tell her, but let her know they probably donโt have it in her size. (Itโs like teeny tiny revenge for all the years my size wasnโt on the rack! Is that sick? It is, isnโt itโฆlol)
Are you working on anything or have anything to share?
Iโm about to launch my Chief of Style YouTube channel finally. Itโs been a long time coming. Iโm a perfectionist and because Iโve got a degree in this stuff and have been an on-air reporter, Iโm really hard on myself when it comes to the journalistic-type work I put out in the world. I should be launching the channel in the coming weeks. Iโm also starting a podcast with a good friend about being a queer femme.
Iโm really in a place in my career right now where the answer is always โYes!โ I usually donโt turn down any legitimate opportunities. So, there will probably be some more things to share soon. Just check my Facebook page and my Instagram for updates.
Anything else you want The Curvy Fashionistaโs readers to know?
If thereโs anything Iโd like for you to take away from this interview, itโs to stop doubting yourself: your talents, your beauty, your strength, your abilities, your worthโฆstop selling yourself short. Youโre an incredible person with unique talents. Love yourself like you never thought you could. You only get one you and one life. Make it a good one!!!
Lastly, what does Curvy.Confident.Chic mean to you?
It sounds like a concise description of me. So, I guess it means being authentically myself.
Check out Amyโs blog at ChiefofStyle.com!!!
Do you dig her style? Which look is your fave?
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