Brief Reflections on a Suit Fitting

Yesterday, with two weddings coming up next month, I had to get fitted for a new suit.

In the middle of the fitting, the kind gentlemen helping me casually said he was doing something to “help me look thinner”. For the first time, I felt something besides gratitude, or frustration, or annoyance at this casual commentary about my body. Instead, my inner monologue asked “why?”

(In reality, I think I just nodded or grunted or something, as I had not yet had time to reflect on his comment or my response)

Now that I have that distance, I mostly find the interaction fascinating. This man’s just doing his job in our society, and in our society, the default assumption is that nearly everyone - but especially fat people - want to be, or at least appear to be, smaller than they are. And, after years of therapy and talking with friends, my brain is finally pushing back on that assumption without direct coaxing.

I don’t have a lot more to write about this at the moment, but just wanted to leave you with two thoughts:

1. If you live in a larger body, do not let anyone - anyone - tell you what your body should or shouldn’t look like. It could not be less of their business.

2. If you interact with folks in larger bodies, consider that they may not have any interest in being or looking thinner. There’s no need to comment on - or ideally think about - anyone’s body but your own.