Size Discrimination Experiences in Clothing Stores

[bella89]

I was wondering if any other plus size shoppers feel they suffer from size discrimination when they go into certain stores. My first definite experience of this was when I was 16/17 and went into Van Cleef on Fifth Avenue with my mother who was going to buy me a piece of jewelry for my birthday and the sales associate who helped us point blank told me my size did not suit the brand. I’ve since had great experiences in the VCA store in Short Hills.

Then just today I went into J. Crew in King of Prussia to look at the new line collaboration between J. Crew and Universal Standard and was completely ignored by a sales associate even when I stood right next to her. The store was almost empty and everyone else was being helped. Granted I can’t say 100% I was ignored because of my size, but I can’t think of any other reason because again, store was almost empty and I stood right next to her. I just wanted a “hello” and got nothing, even when I started digging through clothes in front of her to find my size. I left the store without buying anything.

Strangely enough I never feel this way when I go into high end stores like Hermes and LV, but maybe because I’m not looking at clothes?

 

[Antigone]

I've experienced the opposite. I went into a plus size store (I think it was Lane Bryant) in a mall in Philly center city, and the staff told me at the door, pointblank, "we don't have anything for you here."

I was a size 10 that time so definitely not slim. What if I wanted to buy a gift for someone?

Anyway, I was young and I wasn't assertive, so I just left.

 

[TNgypsy]

I've experienced the opposite. I went into a plus size store (I think it was Lane Bryant) in a mall in Philly center city, and the staff told me at the door, pointblank, "we don't have anything for you here."

I was a size 10 that time so definitely not slim. What if I wanted to buy a gift for someone?

Anyway, I was young and I wasn't assertive, so I just left.

I've gone in Lane Bryant & Catherine's (not sure if they're still around) before and was ignored. I wanted to look at their jewelry and accessories. Everyone should be treated like a potential customer in any store regardless of size, sex, age or dress. It's just tacky to treat anyone otherwise.

 

[astromantic]

I've experienced the opposite. I went into a plus size store (I think it was Lane Bryant) in a mall in Philly center city, and the staff told me at the door, pointblank, "we don't have anything for you here."

I was a size 10 that time so definitely not slim. What if I wanted to buy a gift for someone?

Anyway, I was young and I wasn't assertive, so I just left.

That happened to me too. I’m from Canada and went to the US to outlet shop for the first time and never heard of Lane Bryant. I was actually looking for a specific colour scarf/shawl so it would have been one size anyways. I left when I was told it was a plus size store even though I wasn’t looking for clothes

 

[gillianna]

People need to know that for most retail is just a job and one that many SA hate. Unless they are working on commission or get a bonus with meeting sales goals many do not go out of their way to help regardless of size. Retail is a low paying job for most people. The funny thing is customers get intimidated by some SA who want to make you think they are so important and have power. I mean look at the stories posted here of people being afraid of the SA at stores like LV and Chanel.

Working in the typical mall store, not high end stores the SA are usually high school students in their first part time job with no clue how to socialize with customers let alone go out of their way to help them. Trying to get help in many stores is kind of a joke. I have seen it many times with friends who ask for a certain item or size and there is no effort to get service.

I myself do all my shopping online. It’s easier and more convenient to get what I want.

A customer should get service but it is clearly lacking in most stores today.

 

[lakeshow]

On a somewhat similar note, I'm tired of stores like VS putting the size L and XL underwear on the bottom drawers. It is so distasteful to have to crouch down and rummage around through drawers for your size. I was the Nordstrom Rack on the weekend and the round racks of bras and undergarments have the XS size at the top and if you're a bigger girl you have to basically get down on all fours and search around the bottom.

 

[sdkitty]

On a somewhat similar note, I'm tired of stores like VS putting the size L and XL underwear on the bottom drawers. It is so distasteful to have to crouch down and rummage around through drawers for your size. I was the Nordstrom Rack on the weekend and the round racks of bras and undergarments have the XS size at the top and if you're a bigger girl you have to basically get down on all fours and search around the bottom.

I've noticed that with the bras at NR too.....I'm a D cup and have to get down on my knees

 

[GlitterEyebags]

I've never directly been discriminated against by a SA BUT there are certain brands that purposely do it. In 2013, the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch openly admitted that he only wanted "thin" women to wear their clothing. Disgusting! Women look great in any size ie Ashley Graham.

 

[absolutpink]

I've experienced the opposite. I've heard:
- you should gain some weight and come back
- yeah, no, we don't carry ridiculously sizes, only real ones
- maybe if you were the size of a normal woman we would have something for you
- umm... try the kids department?
- hahahaha you think we have a bra that fits those?!

So sorry all of you ladies have dealt with this too

 

[sdkitty]

I've experienced the opposite. I've heard:
- you should gain some weight and come back
- yeah, no, we don't carry ridiculously sizes, only real ones
- maybe if you were the size of a normal woman we would have something for you
- umm... try the kids department?
- hahahaha you think we have a bra that fits those?!

So sorry all of you ladies have dealt with this too

wow....reverse discrimination
I think those of us who are average weight or overweight think being small or slender isn't a hardship - rather that it's desirable - so some feel free to make these types of remarks

 

[LittleStar88]

I am formerly plus-sized and had experienced being ignored. I also notice a difference in service when I am dressed well and made up versus post-workout and/or dressed down with no makeup. I am a size 10 now so am neither skinny nor plus - somewhere in the middle.

I still shop at Layne Bryant because I love their bras! They are amazing! Fortunately I have received great service there even thought I technically am not their ideal demographic.

I do notice that SA's are either all over you or completely rude/ignore you. It's the worst when you need help and have to practically beg them to give you attention OR feel too smothered because they are overly helpful.

I have had some of the best service from the younger employees. It's the older ones IMHO who feel either too good to be doing their job or they are too busy socializing to be bothered to assist.

It just sucks to be out treating yourself and ready to spend money and not get the experience you were hoping for

 

[sdkitty]

I am formerly plus-sized and had experienced being ignored. I also notice a difference in service when I am dressed well and made up versus post-workout and/or dressed down with no makeup. I am a size 10 now so am neither skinny nor plus - somewhere in the middle.

I still shop at Layne Bryant because I love their bras! They are amazing! Fortunately I have received great service there even thought I technically am not their ideal demographic.

I do notice that SA's are either all over you or completely rude/ignore you. It's the worst when you need help and have to practically beg them to give you attention OR feel too smothered because they are overly helpful.

I have had some of the best service from the younger employees. It's the older ones IMHO who feel either too good to be doing their job or they are too busy socializing to be bothered to assist.

It just sucks to be out treating yourself and ready to spend money and not get the experience you were hoping for

most of the time when I go to nicer stores SAs are friendly. But while sometimes they'll be friendly in a high end store like Neiman Marcus, other times in a less expensive store, they're not as helpful. I guess it's just individual personalities

 

[jenjen1964]

I posted something about this on another thread but I feel plus size is discriminated against by stores like Nordstrom, Lands End and others by only making items available online. Nordstrom, for example, if you go online and ask it show only items available in store the number and variety of items is cut by more than half. Loft just had a big launch of it's plus size line......except you can only buy online! I would love to be able to go into a major retailer and BUY something cute!

 

[pixiejenna]

When I was plus size one of my pet peeves was in most stores that actually carry plus size it’s not with the regular size women’s clothing. It’s often in a completely different section of the store. For example a Macy’s at one of the largest malls in the area the women’s plus size is downstairs in the basement with house wares. All the women’s clothing on the upper level, men’s on the ground level, and plus size in the freaking basement with towels and kitchen appliances WTF really? The stores that have the section is also less than a quarter of the regular clothing sections. Or stores that don’t carry plus size in store only online. Another WTF moment I recall once shopping in Saks I asked a SA where the plus sizes were because I saw stuff online that I liked but wanted to check it out IRL before buying and was told that none of their stores had those sizes in store only online. I also experienced being ignored based on how I was dressed. I recall once in the downtown nordies I was in the high end handbags and the SA completely ignored me despite being the only customer in the whole section. Apparently plus size customers in jeans, tee, and flip flops aren’t worth helping. Another more experienced SA and then offered me help and scolded the SA for not helping me. I was carrying a Balenciaga and she told the SA that’s a 2k handbag and she should know the brand because they’re the people who buy high end handbags. If I had any desire to buy something hearing a comment like that killed it. First I’m nit worth helping to now I’m a big fat dollar sign.

 

[Est1996]

I am a size 10/12, so definitely not slim, but I am still able to fit into most things I try on in luxury department stores. For me, my experiences have been the opposite of yours for the most part. I went into Saks last month (twice -- once in New York and once in Atlanta) and I was constantly being bombarded with people asking me if I needed/wanted help, following me around, etc. I was uncomfortable with the entire experience. Of course, this happens to me every time I go in there. Sometimes I do think I get stares because I don't dress up like other women do who enter those stores and because I'm not as thin as they are, but so far I haven't felt I've been discriminated against for my size.