Influencer Emma Loney on Her Studies, Social Media, and Plus Size Fashion Tips

Just call her the modern-day Elle Woods. As a social media influencer, model, pageant contestant, and law student, Emma Loney isn’t afraid to take on a lot. With a jam-packed school schedule and thousands of Instagram followers she shares fashion tips with, Emma is as hardworking as can be, and consciously puts making positive impact at the heart of what she does. “Being an influencer to me is about so much more than promoting products and working with brands,” she says. “It’s a space to give positive influence, share important issues, and uplift and empower others.” Emma is passionate about empowering curvy women of every body shape and size and will often share style tips to encourage women to wear clothes that help them feel confident.

Through sharing her best style tips for plus size women, she encourages curvy women of all sizes to embrace their body type. Keep reading our Q&A with Emma below where we chat about her experience as an influencer, her everyday life studying law, and how she hopes to make an impact for plus size women.

Hi, Emma! We’re so excited to chat with you. Can you tell us what inspired you to start your career as an influencer?

I have always loved taking pictures and started my Instagram when I was in high school. I had no idea what I was doing, but just started sharing photos of my life. I slowly started to get more into fashion tips, and then got involved in pageantry, which had me using social media frequently. I realized I could use social media to share messages that were important to me, like eating disorder awareness and body positivity, and that is when I started to spend more time creating content and putting out meaningful messages. In doing this, I was able to create a space that embodied what I had always wished to see growing up.

When did you notice that you were gaining a following on social media?

I really started gaining a following when I stopped trying to be what I thought people wanted to see on social media. I had this idea that I had to share the perfect image all of the time, and was left feeling that it wasn't authentic and at the same time, wasn't connecting with people. When I started to embrace my "flaws" and share my story, people connected with that.

Your Instagram centers on empowering women of every body shape. What does body positivity mean to you?

Body positivity, to me, is loving yourself in the skin you are in. I believe anybody, everyBODY, and any size body can be a part of the body positivity movement. Everyone struggles with body image at some point in their lives, and showing people that self-love and acceptance is important no matter your size is so important to me!

What are your top tips for other aspiring influencers?

My biggest tip, as cliche as it sounds, is be yourself. People like to follow real people that they can relate to. As far as actual content, it is important to create images that have good lighting and this can easily be achieved with natural lighting! Lastly, figure out your personal brand. For me, it is body positivity and embracing my body shape. Create content that connects with this main purpose of your social media so that your audience can keep coming to your page for that.

Who is your biggest fashion icon that you look to for plus size fashion tips?

Ashley Graham all day every day. She was the first woman in fashion that I saw and said, "Oh my goodness, she looks like me." It was such an unexplainable feeling, finally seeing a supermodel that had a similar plus size body to mine, and I know so many other plus size women and curvy women feel the same way!

Tell us your must-follow Instagram influencers for style tips!

I follow so many amazing plus size women and body positive influencers, but some of my faves for fashion tips are @blonde_inthedistrict, @veneziacruz, @healthychick101, @jessicajanaee, and my sweet friend @samhostetter_!

Aside from being an Instagram influencer, you also model and study law. How do you juggle your social media work with being in law school?

I will be completely honest — it isn't easy! I have to keep a neat schedule to make sure that I am getting things done in every aspect of my life and not missing deadlines. For me, school is first. If anything else starts to become too much that it is interfering with my studies, I cut down on it so I can give more focus to school. With that being said, I spend a lot of time working with social media and modeling. It is a balancing act and my break from one thing is usually working on another thing. For example, when I get done with class for the day, I usually shoot content for an hour or so. This works well for me because it gives my mind a break from school. Modeling jobs are the least frequent as far as day-to-day, but I am only able to take jobs that work with my schedule. I stay busy, but I love everything I do!

What interests you most about studying law?

I double majored in criminal justice and psychology in undergrad, and through my studies, believed that our criminal justice system needs some serious help. I always thought about going to law school, but wasn't sure because of all the obstacles to get there. But, I realized that becoming a lawyer was the best way, in my eyes, to make a difference in the criminal justice system. I hope to practice criminal law and one day be a district attorney.

You definitely have a jam-packed schedule! How do you unwind after a busy week?

I wish I could say something super fancy, but it is watching Netflix or Hulu, having a snack, and being wrapped up in my heated blanket. I also love to go shopping!

Do you have any advice for other young women juggling multiple careers?

I truly believe we can do anything we set our minds to, and that we can never let the negative words of others defeat us or keep us from following our dreams. The worst that can happen is that we try and fail, and after that, get back up and try again. If you really want something, navigate the necessary steps it will take for you to get there, figure out how to make those steps obtainable, and work from there. There will always be family, friends, and even strangers telling you what to do or that you can't do something, and the most important thing is that you do not let what anyone says stop you or keep you from following your dreams. If I had, I would not be in law school, not be on social media, not in pageantry, and not modeling.

Which Glamorise bras are your favorite quality basics? Tell us why you love them!

My go-to Glamorise bra is the Front-Close Cotton T-Back Comfort Bra! I love this bra because it is easy to put on, doesn't have any wiring, and is something I can wear around the house without feeling like I'm wearing a bra! It is the most comfortable bra I own and something I wear with almost everything! For daily life, nights out, or just lounging at home, the Lacey T-Back Front-Close WonderWire Bra is IT! This bra gives me the support I need, makes me feel beautiful, and is quick and easy to get on. This supportive bra really checks all the boxes for me in regards to what I want in a bra. I'm usually stuck having to choose either looks or support, but with this bra, I don't have to sacrifice either!

Lastly, if you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would it be?

Never let anyone make you feel like you are less than what you are, and never let anyone's disbelief in you stop you from chasing your dreams.

Final Thoughts

Emma Loney is an inspirational influencer for plus size women and women with any size body. Through her Instagram account, she shares her best style tips for plus size women and cultivates a positive space for women of every body shape. For general fashion style inspiration and mid size fashion tips, follow @emma.loney on Instagram.