This story is a mix of thin privilege and hourglass-shape privilege.

When I gain weight, most of it goes to my butt and thighs. So I have a relatively small (for a fat woman) waist and stomach, but extremely large butt and thighs. This makes it very difficult for me to shop for clothes because clothing companies (even the plus-size ones) assume every woman’s hips are wider than their thighs. It’s practically impossible for me to find a pair of pants or shorts that fit (if I get a size big enough to fit my thighs, it’ll fall off my hips. But if I get a size small enough for my hips, I can’t get it past my thighs). So I’m basically stuck with wearing unflattering elastic-waisted broomstick skirts that haven’t been fashionable since the mid-2000s, because they are the only thing that’s comfortable for my legs AND fits past my thighs.

Don’t even get me started on the posters inside plus-sized stores that show women who, despite being large, have perfect hourglass shapes. They’re always decked out in sexy pencil skirts that show off their curves in just the right way, cute little blazers with tapered waists, flattering summer dresses with no straps cutting into their shoulders, or perfect fitting jeans that look like they’re made specifically for their bodies. I’d love to fit into these clothes. I really would! But you’re making it very difficult for me, plus-sized stores. You advertise these gorgeous items, yet I can’t get most of them onto my body!