” Why do we fat people still use SHEIN? This is the question Virginie Grossat is trying to answer on TikTok. Nearly 430,000 people follow this plus-size fashion influencer, who posted a new video on July 4, 2023 addressing the thorny issue. The content creator explains that she is, alas, used to receiving a lot of grossly phobic comments, but that the criticism doubles as soon as she posts that she bought from the Chinese ultra-fast fashion giant.
Besides SHEIN, where else can fat people dress up to size 68?
Calmly, with simple words and supportive figures, plus-size fashion influencer Virginie Grossat deciphers on TikTok:
“As soon as I post an outfit on SHEIN, I get destroyed on the networks, in addition to the usual gross phobic comments. We don’t have to believe, we are all aware and aware of the environmental impact of the brand and working conditions. But these practices are common to other fast fashion brands and strangely not in your field of vision.
As a reminder, SHEIN offers accessible, inclusive and affordable fashion up to size 68. Who can claim to do the same today? »
In fact, few companies offer such a wide range of sizes. Among the mainstream French brands that come closest we can include, for example, Gemo and Kiabi, but both stop at 54. Otherwise, you have to turn to brands specialized in the plus size segment (Laura Kent, Ulla Popken, Yours Large Sizes, or even Bleu Bonheur), but who less often try to stick to current trends for many reasons (starting with the desire to propose renewable models from season to season, therefore rather timeless, given their specialization which in part prevents them from taking too many stylistic risks ).
As Virginie Grossat reminds us, it is very difficult to find clothes in the traditional trade over size 44, and an almost impossible mission over 52, today in France. It is above all the fast fashion brands that position themselves in the plus size niche, even if it is a large panel of the French population. By cross-referencing the statistics, the influencer points out that overweight and obesity are more represented among modest socio-professional categories (working class and agricultural background, job seekers) and among populations that live relatively behind the big cities where clothing stores and second-hand shops are concentrated. Before continuing:
“These people don’t necessarily have the means to afford ethical pieces that cost much more. Then you will tell me: second hand! But I dare you to find plus size clothes at a thrift store. When there’s oversize, it’s overrun by fashionistas who do their little look with it. And then on Vinted the large size offer is very limited, the little thing we find is not beautiful (unless you go to my account). So yes, we know the problem well, we consume fast fashion and SHEIN not necessarily out of desire, but above all because we have no choice. So next time you’re about to post another hurtful comment, think twice. »
Because fat people are overexposed to the shame of consuming SHEIN
And since fat people statistically more often have modest budgets, it would make quite sense that they tend to consume too much fast fashion or SHEIN less than thin people. Let us also recall another statistical reality: it is rather the richest families who pollute the most, as the media write. tilt (of the French Development Agency) with the Oxfam association. The richest 1% also emit more than the poorest 50% of humanity and see their share of global emissions increasing fastest. Hence the importance of thinking about social and economic dynamics structurally, rather than inter-individually, and of taking into account brands and governments rather than people who have no choice but to dress at SHEIN.
Finally, note also the cocktail effect of misogyny, fatphobia, and class contempt exerted against fat women on modest budgets who have the misfortune to dress like SHEIN because they have few other choices. They are therefore overexposed to online hate, cyberbullying aimed at making them feel ashamed of this consumption, as if it serves as an outlet for the guilt and insecurities of others. The ideal scapegoat for a fashion industry at the end of its dreams.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
