A weight loss coach who "grew up in a bigger body" has gone viral on TikTok after being praised for bringing attention to a surprising example of "skinny privilege" that many overlook.
Amber Clemens, who shares content to TikTok regarding her 160-pound weight loss journey, spoke openly about a surprising unconscious bias she recognized "most people wouldn't think about"—and it comes down to your clothing.
Clemens simply said "if you know, you know," as she stepped back to show her chosen outfit for the day—a cozy combination of sweats and a hoodie. While to most it looks like a simple athleisure outfits, it's Clemens' next point that proves the "thin privilege" she now holds.
She explained: "I can wear this now after losing 160 pounds, people won't even bat an eye, right? People wouldn't even think about it"
@amber_c_fitness I used to put so much effort into my outfits just to do simple things because the unwritten rule as a fat person is “you always have to dress to impress” 🙃 #thinprivilege #fatphobia #growingupfat #weightloss #ootd #weightlossstruggle #beforeandafterweightloss
♬ BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Billie Eilish
It was her next point that left the video's 727,000 viewers considering thin privilege, as she continued: "If I would have worn the same exact thing in my bigger body
I would have been called lazy, a slob, not put together, unflattering. Now I can wear this and no one says anything."
She finished by asserting how, "I never never would have gone out of the house wearing this in my bigger body. Never."
In the caption, she further expressed how she felt forced to avoid comfortable clothing when she had a bigger body, writing: "I used to put so much effort into my outfits just to do simple things because the unwritten rule as a fat person is 'you always have to dress to impress'."
What Do the Comments Say?
Clemens (@amber_c_fitness) is far from alone in this feeling, as she sparked conversations around thin privilege in the comments section of the video, which amassed over 43,000 likes.
"THIS, my fiance always gets annoyed that I take a long time to get ready just to go to the store," wrote one user. "But he doesn't understand that I HAVE to look okay to get treated like a human
"I'm always so self conscious of every little I wear on my plus sized body because of what other people would think," added a second. "Even down to the size of my handbag compared to the size of my body."
"As a skinny person I never thought of this," admitted one user. "I never get dressed up to go to the store etc."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Lollie is Newsweek's Beauty and Self Care Reporter based in London, U.K. In her role, she covers a range of ... Read more
