Let’s face it. There are a lot of bloggers, out there. Frankly, there are a lot of fashion bloggers. But, one thing there just isn’t enough of are plus sized fashion bloggers! Well, we found an incredible young woman who has taken the fashion world by storm, not just by blogging about plus sized fashion, but by blogging about plus sized fashion for teens!
At just 16 years old, Carly Schnitzer managers her very own blog, Fashion That Fits. “‘I’m here,” she says “just to help out every overweight teen like myself by giving them places to find affordable and adorable clothes.”
Up until now, blogging has been an on and off hobby for Schnitzer. But, lately, she’s been getting serious about Fashion that Fits. “I’m really trying to get my page out there now because I realized how much I’ve changed because of fashion.” After wearing sweatshirts and gym shorts for years, Carly began shopping at Torrid and other plus sized shops and blogging about them. “Look at me now! As a result of my clothing, I was able to break out of my shell and now, I’m a confident young woman.”
“No one should have to settle for clothing they don’t like,” says Schnitzer. We got a chance to sit down with the young bloganista to discuss her blog, Fashion that Fits.
Bold Magazine: So, tell us about the Fashion that fits blog? What inspired you to start it? What is the goal?
Carly Schnitzer: ‘Fashion that Fits’ is just a blog about everything. It was supposed to be solely about plus size fashion for teens; but I like to talk a lot, so I sometimes just go on rants about my life,. I’ve always been overweight and had trouble finding the right clothes and once I was introduced to the plus size industry, I was hooked. Eventually I found the [plus sized] bloggers and was addicted. I followed all of them religiously. But, I was never really happy with their outfits because I could never see myself wearing their outfits; their looks were a lot more mature than what mine was. So, I just started posting my own outfits. I think it’s good because the clothes I wear are simple, somewhat affordable, and adorable.
BM: That’s pretty ambitious of a woman your age starting a blog to help plus sized women. Are you planning on parlaying this into a career in writing and fashion?
CS: Although that would be amazing, Fashion that Fits is really just my side project. I don’t really think I have an eye for fashion or anything. I just like cute clothes and talk a lot about it. But I’m certainly going to try and continue blogging, even though I’m not moving towards a career in either. I’m actually going to college this fall for Music Education/Performance with a minor in Italian. So, I don’t think there’s room really in my schedule for a triple major in fashion!
BM: What are your biggest challenges in blogging about plus sized fashion? Do these challenges help you help other women?
CS: I’m not going to lie, the junior and senior prom were my hardest challenges to blog about. I haven’t done my senior prom posts yet because I was on hiatus back then; but I had such a difficult time with my junior prom dress. You can see my frustration as I search about twenty websites trying to find something that didn’t look so “plus size.” I don’t know if that makes sense, but so many websites had such bland dresses and it was obvious that they were made for larger women. I didn’t want that and went on a crazy search for the perfect dress. Eventually I found it. I hope I helped other people, the search for a formal dress is long and stressful, even more so if you’re plus sized.
BM: That’s great. When are we going to see it?
CS: I still have yet to show it! And my senior prom dress was crazy. So many good posts will be happening on my page soon, promise!
BM: What are your favorite things to do outside of blogging and shopping?
CS: Well, because I’m a music major, I practice a lot. I play clarinet and I practice about 2-3 hours a day.
BM: Who are the women you most look up to?
CS: Definitely Lady Gaga. She is my everything. Everything about her just makes me glow. Even though I may be heavier than other people, I always remember that I’m “Born This Way” and I don’t care what anyone says about me. “Don’t be a drag, just be a queen.”
BM: It looks like you blog about lots of different fashion styles. What’s YOUR style, though? What makes you feel most comfortable?
CS: Hmm, tough. I wouldn’t mind wearing shorts and a ruffled shirt everyday for the rest of my life. I’m in love with ruffles and sparkles. I have this one shirt that has both ruffles AND sequins on the edge of the ruffles; it’s adorable. I, honestly, like anything that is affordable.
BM: Do you find that young plus sized women your age have a harder time finding fashion that fits? Or is it easier? The same?
CS: I think it’s a lot tougher. I remember when I was younger, my mom tried to take me to Lane Bryant to buy clothes or into the Women’s section at Kohl’s and I would always start crying. The clothes fit, but I didn’t feel like a teenager. I was terrified that I would walk down the hallway at school and a larger teacher would walk by wearing the same shirt as me. I like looking like a teenager; I’ll look like an adult when I am an adult.
BM: Have you gotten any feedback from stores or designers?
CS: I got feedback from two stores. One was www.eshakti.com and they asked me to introduce them on my page. They offered to send me a piece to try on and review, but I was in the middle of my college auditions and didn’t necessarily have the time to spend blogging. I blogged about them quickly, but I never got to really getting in a partnership with them. The second was City Chic. They gave me money to buy clothes and then all I had to do was take a picture of myself in it. They put me on their website and it was amazing.
BM: How about from readers?
CS: Not really any readers. I adore comments, but I don’t get them a lot. Comments are my favorite thing ever, omg. You don’t even know. I get so excited when someone comments because I know someone is looking. So yeah, if you guys look at my site, please comment!
BM: Carly, what is your BOLD?
CS: My “BOLD” would have to be my personality. I’m a little bit of everything mixed into one big girl. I also think I’m somewhat of a natural beauty. I never wear make-up, I don’t even understand how to do it. But I think what’s on both the outside and the inside makes me unique.
