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Why Is the Same Outfit Mocked on a Big Body and Praised on a Small One?

Ben Auxier

Via: @raynefq / @gendermatric on Twitter

I’ve certainly never been much of a fashion expert, but I have struggled with my weight (never more than in this roller coaster of a year, honestly), and I know firsthand how awful it can feel to never quite find clothes that fit right, or to feel like no matter what I wear I’m not going to have the confidence that I look presentable.

That’s the issue at hand in a Twitter thread kicked off by writer and activist Rayne Fisher-Quann.

Rayne had come across a tweet with a picture we’re all familiar with. Outdoor images of a couple of heavy-set people in street clothes, cut off at the neck so you can’t see their faces. This original tweet was accompanied by some mockery for their fashion choices, and had accumulated over 100 thousand likes.

Turns out, she was exactly right. Supermodel Bella Hadid had in fact worn practically the same outfit.

Here’s the snap of her from the Stylecaster article: “Did Gigi Hadid Just Make Bermuda Shorts … Happen?”

Image Credit: Stylecaster

Of course, that’s not a slam on Bella. The point is that we seem to praise just about any fashion choice made by those who look skinny and youthful, or who are perceived as important socialites.

Take these “iconic” photos of the late Princess Diana in shorts and a sweatshirt.

Yanno. The kind of absolutely normal casual street-wear that everyone in that era was wearing and that would be completely unremarkable on any non-famous human.

So, what is this weird phenomenon where the exact same fashion gets praised, ignored, or mocked depending on who wears it?

Rayne continues the discussion by questioning why we even feel we have the right to tell anyone what they “should” and “shouldn’t” do with their bodies and their clothing.

The entire thing is pretty bizarre, if you think about it.

Of course, the thread saw a parade of self-appointed Google University medical professionals chiming in on how the people in the original photo needed to lose weight for health reasons, as though that conjecture has any bearing on whether it’s OK to mock people for just living their lives.

I was relieved to find MY sentiments reflected in the comments as well.

That being: “It’s summer. They’re wearing comfortable summer clothing. Why is this even worth talking about?”

Of course, in truest Twitter fashion, the backlash to the backlash inspired backlash which got out of control, because we cannot have nice things.

In the end, there’s nothing charming or interesting about mocking the fat for being fat, or the poor for being poor, or even the fashionably inept (like myself) for not putting a ton of thought into appearance.

We’re all just living our lives here. We don’t need to try to build ourselves up by tearing each other down. A little empathy goes a long way.

Have you had personal experiences with this sort of thing?

Tell us about it in the comments.