20 People Share The Traumatizing Times They’ve Been Fat-Shamed While Shopping

For many women who are plus-sized, they experience some traumatizing moments while having to try on clothing and look for their size in stores. Not everyone who works in retail are understanding and kind—in fact, most are not. There are dozens of times where people avoid going shopping altogether because they don’t want to feel as though they’re being judged and ridiculed for their size. BuzzFeed recently asked users to share their traumatizing experiences to shed light on how cruel retail workers and everyday people can be—and, hopefully, inspire more people to be kind.

1.

In high school I want prom dress shopping at a little dress store in the mall. I grabbed a dress to try on and asked the shop lady for a dressing room. She looked me up and down, took the dress out of my hands, and said “there is nothing in my store that will fit YOU” while pointing up and down and across my midsection. Then she asked me to leave.

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2.

When I went dress shopping for prom with just me and my other plus sized friend, we went to the store in our town where most people go for prom. We got there and they said that they were not ordering in extra sizes this year, and they decided to do as system where they only had what was on the rack only. We ask if they have a plus size section and they lead us straight to the clearance rack, which only had about 4 plus sizes and they we’re all extremely ugly. We asked if that was all that was left they said that was about all they ordered in. My friend almost cried because it just felt so embarrassing to go into that store and the only dresses they had that might fit you are ugly and aren’t even the right plus size. It felt kinda like they were saying if your bigger or a fatter that you can’t wear pretty dresses like the rest of the skinny girls. It just felt very size discriminatory Luckily we found a store that had a lot of beautiful plus sizes. But the experience we had at that dress shop was disheartening and we will never be going back.

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3.

Went to VS for something new to wear for my six year anniversary with my fiancé. Couldn’t find anything in my size. So I asked one of the girls to help and she said to me “well maybe once you lose some weight, we’ll find something in your size!”
Yeah I left the store in tears.

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People Are Pissed About Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Thanksgiving Instagram Post

Fans lashed out at Sarah Michelle Gellar after she posted a throwback lingerie picture as Thanksgiving thinspo.

On Monday, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer star shared professional scantily-clad photos which she captioned, “I’m just going to pin these up all over my house as a reminder not to overeat on Thursday #thanksgivingprep.” Gellar, in the three-photo series, does indeed look incredibly thin.

Though there is nothing wrong with posting sexy photos of yourself on social media, the message that we ought to be body-shaming ourselves for indulging during a food-centered holiday is not an ideal message to spread—especially when we consider how Gellar fits into society’s “ideal” physical type:  blonde hair, blue eyes, super thin.

The photos remain on Gellar’s Instagram page despite the many fans and trolls who took to the comments section to voice their disappointment.

Dozens suggested that the language and message of Gellar’s post was triggering for people who had suffered with eating disorders.

“jennflleming” wrote:

it’s fine what she’s doing but look from the eyes of someone struggling with eating disorders who look at someone like her and then they do the same and then they won’t enjoy the holidays due to the fact that she put this false reality into their head. You shouldn’t support someone who would do this to young girls.

“adrianpaulchardona” wrote:

it’s a bit vain, for sure, but not offensive in itself. however, for those who struggle with weight problems, particularly girls and women with anorexia, it is a potentially dangerous post.

Some criticized Gellar for not being more mindful of the influence her post could have on young people.

“_souldiergirl_ ” wrote:

Not a great example for young girls. Hope my daughter never sees this post.

“mccluskymichelle” wrote:

You have a platform to promote healthy body image and lifestyle. Please be aware of how your posts can be interpreted and how they can influence young women who look up to you.

Specifically in regards to “diet culture.”

“catjefferson_” wrote:

Your caption is problematic and I suggest you do some research on eating disorders, the mental health issues that go along with them, and how diet culture is harmful to women. Girls look up to you, and you should be mindful of the message you’re sending.???????

While others complained that the backlash was merely from people unable to take a joke.

“ritakims80” wrote:

I thought it was a funny thanksgiving post, and nothing more. Dont worry there are still people out there who know how to take a joke lol ???

“a1mezzo” wrote:

Dear Sarah, I understand completely about not wanting to overeat. I took your post to be a simple reminder. I admire you and wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

“szf1234512345” wrote:

If you wanna overeat, do it. If you want to watch what you eat, do it. I don’t understand what all these uber sensitive comments. I love when people post pictures of wanting to stay healthy (however they define that) are automatically called body shamers. Insane.

“megsterr91” wrote:

@sarahmgellar don’t apologize. I think it was clear what you meant. People just want to get worked up about ANYTHING.

Gellar wrote a followup statement, writing how fat shaming “could not be further from my intentions.”

“I love Thanksgiving and unfortunately my eyes are often bigger than my stomach, and I tend to eat so much I make myself sick,” she wrote. “This was a joking reminder to myself not to do that.”

“I’m terribly sorry that people were offended by my attempt at humor,” she wrote, as an apology for the misunderstanding.  “Anyone that knows me, knows I would never intentionally “shame” any one on any basis. I am a champion of all people.”

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