Thin Privilege is … being able to have a mutually intelligent, non-hurtful conversation about fashion.



So, a couple of weeks ago, I was talking to a friend/colleague at work. She said to me, “wow, I love your top, the pattern is so cute! Is it from Country Road?” I was so surprised and hurt that I didn’t know what to say. I fit a size 22-24, and I’ve never in my life even been into a Country Road store, because I know for sure they wouldn’t have anything that fits me. Just the thought of going into a Country Road and coming out with something I could wear - the impossibility of it - made me want to scoff in her face. But I bit my tongue and politely said, “Thank you! But no, it’s from Virtu.” The puzzled look on her face showed that she’d obviously never heard of Virtu. I could see her really trying to recall the name, but of course not - it’s a store that sells sizes 14+ only, so why would she have ever heard of it? I felt sorry for her because she was really trying to give me a compliment. But it just turned into a farce - we were like aliens from two different worlds who each knew nothing about the other.



That’s why I never get into conversations about fashion with smaller-sized people if I can help it. It’s just not worth the trouble and hurt.