This young mum's experience with body shaming over Kmart dress raises questions
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In a world where social media platforms have become the new runways and everyone's a critic, people can be harsh with their words thanks to the shroud of anonymity.
For a young mum, her excitement over a new dress quickly sparked a discussion on the pervasive issue of body shaming.
Chloe Ferrari, a 26-year-old online content creator with a significant following on social media, became the target of unsolicited and harsh criticism over her body after sharing a video in which she expressed joy over her latest Kmart find.
Ferrari showcased a $25 dress in a video, saying it made her look 'hot'—a sentiment many of us can relate to when we find clothes that seem to fit just right. She likened the dress to a 'Skims dupe,' referencing the clothing brand by Kim Kardashian, known for its high price point.
The Kmart dress, however, was a steal at a fraction of the cost, and Ferrari was eager to share her budget-friendly fashion win.
The clip, which has garnered over 300,000 views, was supposed to be a celebration of personal style and a good bargain.
Instead, it opened the floodgates to a barrage of body shaming comments, predominantly from men.
‘That is gross,’ one comment reads.
Other negative remarks ranged from calling her body 'floppy' to criticising the dress as too 'clingy' and revealing her 'rolls’. It's a stark reminder that for many women, feeling confident in their skin can be met with unwarranted and hurtful backlash.
Despite the negativity, Ferrari has shown remarkable resilience.
For her, such harsh feedback says more about the commenter.
‘I don’t take these personally as I know that someone else’s view of me is only a projection of someone else’s inner thoughts and insecurities,’ she said.
However, she admits that while the comments don't shake her self-esteem, they do cast a shadow of sadness over how quick society is to judge and demean based on body type.
Ferrari initially engaged with her detractors in a playful yet educational manner, reminding them that it's 2024 and self-love is in.
Her stance is powerful, considering the societal pressures women face regarding their appearance.
For every negative comment, there were also numerous supporters who rallied around Ferrari, creating a wave of positivity and defence that speaks volumes about the strength of supportive online communities.
One nasty comment in her post received over 300 replies from her supporters, all defending her.
‘It’s full of women backing me up, and I’m so incredibly grateful for such a strong online community,’ she said.
The question arises: why does this happen? Why are women subjected to such scrutiny over their bodies when they share a piece of their lives online?
Ferrari, who is no stranger to the digital world as an influencer, points to a culture that has historically been 'hard' on women's bodies.
She recalls a time when minor weight fluctuations were scandalous tabloid fodder.
‘It was the front page of a magazine if someone gained 5kg,’ she said.
‘We have only just started seeing real bodies in the media recently in the last few years… I think we have come a long way but still have a way to go.’
If you or someone you know has experienced body shaming, remember that it's a reflection of the perpetrator's issues, not your own.
Have you ever faced body shaming, or have you witnessed it happening to someone else? How did you respond, and what advice would you give others in a similar situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
For a young mum, her excitement over a new dress quickly sparked a discussion on the pervasive issue of body shaming.
Chloe Ferrari, a 26-year-old online content creator with a significant following on social media, became the target of unsolicited and harsh criticism over her body after sharing a video in which she expressed joy over her latest Kmart find.
Ferrari showcased a $25 dress in a video, saying it made her look 'hot'—a sentiment many of us can relate to when we find clothes that seem to fit just right. She likened the dress to a 'Skims dupe,' referencing the clothing brand by Kim Kardashian, known for its high price point.
The Kmart dress, however, was a steal at a fraction of the cost, and Ferrari was eager to share her budget-friendly fashion win.
The clip, which has garnered over 300,000 views, was supposed to be a celebration of personal style and a good bargain.
Online creator Chloe Ferrari showing off her Kmart find on video. Credit: Chloe Ferrari/Instagram
Instead, it opened the floodgates to a barrage of body shaming comments, predominantly from men.
‘That is gross,’ one comment reads.
Other negative remarks ranged from calling her body 'floppy' to criticising the dress as too 'clingy' and revealing her 'rolls’. It's a stark reminder that for many women, feeling confident in their skin can be met with unwarranted and hurtful backlash.
Despite the negativity, Ferrari has shown remarkable resilience.
For her, such harsh feedback says more about the commenter.
‘I don’t take these personally as I know that someone else’s view of me is only a projection of someone else’s inner thoughts and insecurities,’ she said.
However, she admits that while the comments don't shake her self-esteem, they do cast a shadow of sadness over how quick society is to judge and demean based on body type.
Ferrari initially engaged with her detractors in a playful yet educational manner, reminding them that it's 2024 and self-love is in.
Her stance is powerful, considering the societal pressures women face regarding their appearance.
For every negative comment, there were also numerous supporters who rallied around Ferrari, creating a wave of positivity and defence that speaks volumes about the strength of supportive online communities.
One nasty comment in her post received over 300 replies from her supporters, all defending her.
‘It’s full of women backing me up, and I’m so incredibly grateful for such a strong online community,’ she said.
The question arises: why does this happen? Why are women subjected to such scrutiny over their bodies when they share a piece of their lives online?
Ferrari, who is no stranger to the digital world as an influencer, points to a culture that has historically been 'hard' on women's bodies.
She recalls a time when minor weight fluctuations were scandalous tabloid fodder.
‘It was the front page of a magazine if someone gained 5kg,’ she said.
‘We have only just started seeing real bodies in the media recently in the last few years… I think we have come a long way but still have a way to go.’
If you or someone you know has experienced body shaming, remember that it's a reflection of the perpetrator's issues, not your own.
Have you ever faced body shaming, or have you witnessed it happening to someone else? How did you respond, and what advice would you give others in a similar situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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