My Annual Rant

One thing that really, really annoys me is the fact that supermarket clothing ranges have really reduced their sizing brackets. I've just wasted another £7 on a bra because I can't afford to go to Evans or Yours and spend £16 on one. So naively I went to Tesco and bought what appeared to be my size. Just tried to wear it and the fucking thing doesn't even come close to fastening at the back. And of course I can't return it because most places won't accept returns of lingerie.

And another thing - the same supermarkets are now trying to cash in on the fatshion market by including 'plus-size' ranges. Usually in sizes 14-24. I'm a size 26 so I have to go to the dedicated plus size fashion shops. Newsflash, women's bodies don't go up to size 24 and automatically stop. Plus size comes in a lot more sizes than that. I can't believe the clothing buyers haven't cottoned on to this.

Fat shamers will often point to a person wearing clothing that is evidently too small and snidely comment on how awful they look and how they would hate to be fat. Has it ever occurred to them that the person they are bullying (because let's be quite clear, fat shaming is bullying) simply cannot afford to go to a place where underwear costs £5 per pair and bras three times that? I cannot afford to pay £25 for a single pretty top, which is a common price in these stores. If you can fit into Primark's (ridiculously small) sizes then count yourself lucky.

'Well then, they should lose weight' is something I often hear. Great idea, but losing a lot of weight takes time. Should that person simply go out naked until they can fit into the clothes they can afford?

Don't get me wrong, I love plus size ranges and most of them have amazing clothes. Some seem to think that if you're a fat woman you will only need to be seen in flowery prints and tent tops for the rest of your days, or until you slim down.

I am sick of being made to feel like a second-class citizen because of the size I have found myself at due to a medical condition.