The Moment That Stopped Me Cold
It was one of those long days where the coffee wasn’t strong enough and my patience was already paper-thin.
A customer walked in and asked, “Are you a plus-size store?”
I smiled and said, “Yep.”
She leaned in and whispered, “My daughter-in-law is HUGE,” and — I kid you not — she actually did the Hulk pose to prove her point.
I didn’t respond. I just turned on my heel and walked away.
Not because I was offended for me.
Because I was heartbroken for her daughter-in-law… and for every woman who has been reduced to her size in one casual, cutting comment.
The Truth Nobody Talks About
We’ve been taught to believe that fashion magazines, airbrushed Instagram models, and runway “perfection” are to blame for body image struggles.
But the deepest wounds don’t come from glossy covers.
They don’t come from strangers on the internet.
And they don’t come from the fashion industry alone.
The most painful, long-lasting scars often come from the people closest to us.
When “Family” Hurts the Most
It’s the holiday dinner where someone whispers:
- “Are you sure you want seconds?”
- “You’d be so pretty if you just lost a few pounds.”
- “She just keeps packing on weight.”
It’s the phone call where someone warns:
- “You won’t live to see your children graduate.”
- “You’ll never get married at that weight.”
We call these “helpful” comments. But they’re not.
They’re not loving.
They’re not supportive.
And they certainly aren’t motivational.
They shame.
They scar.
And they echo for years in the minds of the women who hear them.
The Ripple Effect No One Sees
Research shows that toxic weight comments from family can increase the risk of:
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Lifelong struggles with body image and self-worth
For so many women, the damage doesn’t start with strangers.
It doesn’t start in dressing rooms.
It doesn’t start on Instagram.
It starts at the kitchen table.
It starts at baby showers.
It starts in living rooms with people we love — and trust.
Healthy ≠ Skinny
Here’s the truth we need to teach — to our daughters, our sisters, and ourselves:
✨ Healthy is more important than skinny.
Bodies change.
Life changes us.
Pregnancies. Hormones. Stress. Grief. Joy. Aging.
Your worth doesn’t shrink or grow based on the number on the scale.
Your size does not define your beauty, your strength, or your value.
💡 Your body is not a punchline. Your journey is not an invitation for critique.
And because your body is uniquely yours, you deserve clothing that celebrates it — not hides it. That’s why at Botticelli, we curate size-inclusive collections designed to fit your body, your lifestyle, and your confidence. Shop Now →
Choosing Kindness Over Judgment
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of those “well-meaning” digs, please hear this:
You are not broken.
You are not alone.
And you are worthy of love, respect, and joy — exactly as you are today.
And if you’ve ever given one of those comments? This isn’t about shame — it’s about awareness.
We can do better.
We must do better.
Because our words hold power — and they can heal just as deeply as they can hurt.
✨ Less judgment.
✨ More kindness.
✨ Always.
Botticelli’s Promise
At Botticelli, we believe in confidence over criticism.
We celebrate women’s bodies exactly as they are today, not as someone thinks they should be. Our boutique was built for women who want to feel seen, supported, and styled — without judgment.
💗 You deserve to feel amazing in your skin.
💗 You deserve clothes that make you light up when you look in the mirror.
💗 You deserve grace, always.
Ready to find pieces that celebrate you?
✨ Explore Our Size-Inclusive Collection →
When Family Hurts More Than Fashion: The Quiet Damage of Toxic Body Shaming
The Moment That Stopped Me Cold
It was one of those long days where the coffee wasn’t strong enough and my patience was already paper-thin.
A customer walked in and asked, “Are you a plus-size store?”
I smiled and said, “Yep.”
She leaned in and whispered, “My daughter-in-law is HUGE,” and — I kid you not — she actually did the Hulk pose to prove her point.
I didn’t respond. I just turned on my heel and walked away.
Not because I was offended for me.
Because I was heartbroken for her daughter-in-law… and for every woman who has been reduced to her size in one casual, cutting comment.
The Truth Nobody Talks About
We’ve been taught to believe that fashion magazines, airbrushed Instagram models, and runway “perfection” are to blame for body image struggles.
But the deepest wounds don’t come from glossy covers.
They don’t come from strangers on the internet.
And they don’t come from the fashion industry alone.
The most painful, long-lasting scars often come from the people closest to us.
When “Family” Hurts the Most
It’s the holiday dinner where someone whispers:
It’s the phone call where someone warns:
We call these “helpful” comments. But they’re not.
They’re not loving.
They’re not supportive.
And they certainly aren’t motivational.
They shame.
They scar.
And they echo for years in the minds of the women who hear them.
The Ripple Effect No One Sees
Research shows that toxic weight comments from family can increase the risk of:
For so many women, the damage doesn’t start with strangers.
It doesn’t start in dressing rooms.
It doesn’t start on Instagram.
It starts at the kitchen table.
It starts at baby showers.
It starts in living rooms with people we love — and trust.
Healthy ≠ Skinny
Here’s the truth we need to teach — to our daughters, our sisters, and ourselves:
✨ Healthy is more important than skinny.
Bodies change.
Life changes us.
Pregnancies. Hormones. Stress. Grief. Joy. Aging.
Your worth doesn’t shrink or grow based on the number on the scale.
Your size does not define your beauty, your strength, or your value.
💡 Your body is not a punchline. Your journey is not an invitation for critique.
Choosing Kindness Over Judgment
If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of those “well-meaning” digs, please hear this:
You are not broken.
You are not alone.
And you are worthy of love, respect, and joy — exactly as you are today.
And if you’ve ever given one of those comments? This isn’t about shame — it’s about awareness.
We can do better.
We must do better.
Because our words hold power — and they can heal just as deeply as they can hurt.
✨ Less judgment.
✨ More kindness.
✨ Always.
Botticelli’s Promise
At Botticelli, we believe in confidence over criticism.
We celebrate women’s bodies exactly as they are today, not as someone thinks they should be. Our boutique was built for women who want to feel seen, supported, and styled — without judgment.
💗 You deserve to feel amazing in your skin.
💗 You deserve clothes that make you light up when you look in the mirror.
💗 You deserve grace, always.
Ready to find pieces that celebrate you?
✨ Explore Our Size-Inclusive Collection →