Fat girls at Victoria's Secret.

DalekBrittany

A little back story: I recently (and I mean, so-recently-I-haven't-even-gone-to-training-yet recently) got hired at Victoria's Secret. Being nearly 300 pounds, I was surprised to have even gotten an interview since I applied with the manager in person. I thought surely, I won't make it to the second interview. Then I did. Looking at all the other women working there, I was absolutely positive I would not get hired after the interview with the store manager, who was probably no more than a size 6.

To my surprise, I did get hired. And not as a throwaway that they put in the back. I did well on my interview, and I got hired as a sales associate with no former sales experience...and being nearly 300 pounds. This is one of the best stores in the district, so on top of being fat, I had no experience. I thought that surely, if there was a company that discriminated against hiring fat people, it'd be them. Boy was I wrong! And I am so glad, because I love their store.

I've been doing some reading on VS. Experiences as an employee, good and bad reviews, what kind of customer base it has, etc. What interests (read: disgusts) me is that I'm finding a lot of posts and comments about how "fat girls should not be allowed in VS" and "fat girls should only shop at their plus sized stores" as well as "no one over 175 pounds should be able to shop there" and even "dear obese girl working at VS, thanks for ruining my shopping exerience" (and yes, that one was 'ruined' simply because the sales associate was 'too fat'.')

Before I ever stepped foot into that store, I never thought they would have anything that fit me. I was so embarrassed to get measured, but much to my delight the sales girl was wonderful and said though they don't carry sizes that large in store, she'd be happy to order it for me online or I could buy bra extenders. A lot of women have a problem with the fact that they don't carry certain sizes in store. I don't see the problem with this, and actually find it quite practical, if you've ever been in a VS and see how full everything always is.

My question is, what does everyone think of "fat girls" working/being at VS? If you walked in and saw a fat employee, would you be more comfortable knowing that it's at least a bit more diverse, or would you be turned off? Do you think they purposely don't cater to "fat girls"?

I'm just interested in this topic because I'm realizing that I'll probably experience a moderate amount of scoffs and sneers from certain shoppers simply for being fat. I was just wondering what other people think on the matter.

TL;DR: fat girls working/shopping at Victoria's Secret: 'go you' or 'find your own store'?

bearkisses

I think it is amazing! It will encourage other plus-sized ladies to shop there as well to see a confident VS sales associate that is also plus-sized. Congrats on the new position!

Iron_Lotus

I love that the VS where I shop has all kinds of different women. I never thought I would find my size there but was THRILLED to know that they did! I shop to get things I need the way the people who work in the store look make no difference to me.

Salt_Sand_Sun

First - congrats on getting the job. That is awesome. Can you say Employee Discount!! LOL But congrats.

Second - yes of course I'd still shop there. Its good to know that they are diverse and carry sizes for all women. Women come in all shapes and sizes and if they discriminated agaisnt that they would lose a lot of customers. I don't think I'd think one way or another if I walked in and saw a very thin girl or a larger girl. As long as they could help me find a bra to fit *me* I'm a happy customer!!

mlcantwell

I like seeing people of all sizes everywhere I shop, as well as gender, race, etc. I don't want to spend my money in a store that discriminates.

missshyeviolett

I think it's great! Thank god there's a sensible manager there that's willing to look beyond the cover!

PoopieMonster

Fat girls have lady parts too. Go you!

glovepuppet

being a brit, i've not been in vs often. but i have an item or two.

y'know, as long as the shop staff are well presented, polite and know their stuff i'm more than happy! you could have three legs for all i care. if you give good service then i'll walk out with a smile.

k8blujay2

I personally don't care either way. If you are having a great experience there, go you!!!

I personally will wait until I'm smaller to shop there because I am more afraid of looking dumpy in their not dumpy clothes because of my height and proportions... but that's just me. I love their clothing styles though.

harleydall76

First - congrats on getting the job. That is awesome. Can you say Employee Discount!! LOL But congrats.

Second - yes of course I'd still shop there. Its good to know that they are diverse and carry sizes for all women. Women come in all shapes and sizes and if they discriminated agaisnt that they would lose a lot of customers. I don't think I'd think one way or another if I walked in and saw a very thin girl or a larger girl. As long as they could help me find a bra to fit *me* I'm a happy customer!!

Ditto this! And congrats on the job!

smesche

First, congrats on the new position! Second, I don't see why it should matter what size you are. If they sell your size and you like thier product, it's your money. Spend it where ever you feel like spending it.

I think having a plus-sized sales associate will make the larger women feel more comfortable shopping there.

rainbowbow

Victoria's Secret is already the Wal-Mart of lingerie. They dont carry your size in store? They don't carry ANYONE'S size. They also have no idea how to accurately measure bust size (aka they use the +4 method).

In my opinion working there would be no different than working at any other retail store that caters to a very set number of sizes such as target, walmart, old navy, etc. just for underwear.

As far as your weight, i figure thats completely irrelevant so long as you are capable of selling their products.


Good luck at your new job!

kittyhasclaws

Congrats on the job, but I will never, ever shop in a VS ever again. Mostly because I found they don't measure for bras correctly. They shoved me into a 38DD. I have recently found out that I'm actually a 36I. And no, VS doesn't even make them that big, but they'll happily shove you into an ill-fitting bra because the majority of us have never even heard of how to be measured correctly.

DalekBrittany

Thanks everyone for the congratulations! I was just a bit shocked to see all the people saying that fat girls shouldn't be in that store. I will admit, the underwear does run a bit small, but I am okay not buying my panties there and just the bras, along with makeup and other beauty products.

It is a weird method, but people have to remember that VS also has different sizes for their bras. It seems dumb at first, but when you think about it it's kind of smart. Only size people for your sized bras and it keeps them coming back lol. In VS I am a 48(which is actually now more like a 44-46) DD, where in "most" bras, I'm more like a 46D.

ml1007

You probably got hired because you are qualified and know how to do an interview and fill out an application. You would be surprised how many applications we get at my job where people cannot even spell the entries on their applications!

Congrats anyway!

lnxjenn

I've had good experiences there. They were quite nice to help measure me and they do actually carry a lot of bigger sizes. you usually have to ask, as they are often in their drawers. I don't think i've ever been treated rudely there either. The manager must have saw something positive in you and maybe she thought you would be great to bring in plus sized clientele as well! So just look at this as a great opportunity.

I think I just like Lane Bryant bras better, but I have had good experiences with VS. So maybe it depends on the store. Plus I love VS PJs! I also got some fabulous lipstick from VS before too! So they have lots to offer everyone, other than panties and bras.

I think you will be fabulous! :bigsmile:

DalekBrittany

Congrats on the job, but I will never, ever shop in a VS ever again. Mostly because I found they don't measure for bras correctly. They shoved me into a 38DD. I have recently found out that I'm actually a 36I. And no, VS doesn't even make them that big, but they'll happily shove you into an ill-fitting bra because the majority of us have never even heard of how to be measured correctly.

Unfortunately I've heard that a lot, and it's definitely something that can be worked on, but I think that problem stems from the company having a problem with pushy managers in certain stores threatening to fire people that don't hit their sales goals. We have a certain amount of measurements, sales, and store credits we have to hit per shift, and I'm really lucky that the store I'm in is one of the best in the district to shop at and to work at. I think the company needs to crack down on pushy managers. As long as the store meets their goal, it shouldn't matter if an individual doesn't sell one bra because the person just has really big boobs. I think the highest VS goes is like, F.

DalekBrittany

I think I just like Lane Bryant bras better, but I have had good experiences with VS. So maybe it depends on the store. Plus I love VS PJs! I also got some fabulous lipstick from VS before too! So they have lots to offer everyone, other than panties and bras.

I think you will be fabulous! :bigsmile:

I personally loooove VS bras, and not just 'cause I got hired :bigsmile: they have a few memory foam ones now...sooo comfy, and the material on the outside is just as soft as you like.

Thank you! :flowerforyou:

itsHealthy

Thank you for posting this!!! I am a huge VS shopper and am proud of shopping there now!
Personally- i would admire to see diversity everywhere...

pseudomuffin

I shop at Victoria's Secret and always get some snide looks, as if to say, "Why are YOU in here?" Truth is, I love their lacy thongs and CAN wear their One Size Fits All and Large sizes. Bras? No way, my girls get the hookup at Lane Bryant. I kind of have a "haters gonna hate" attitude when I'm shopping anyway because I wouldn't go anywhere if the weird looks bothered me.

caspergirl7

i dont think VS caters to anyone over a C cup.. I can't even buy a bra there.. nothing in my size..

bravo for getting a job there though!! & no the size of the associate would not keep me from buying in the store.. that, i believe, is just ridiculous!!

CorvusCorax77

Thanks everyone for the congratulations! I was just a bit shocked to see all the people saying that fat girls shouldn't be in that store. I will admit, the underwear does run a bit small, but I am okay not buying my panties there and just the bras, along with makeup and other beauty products.

It is a weird method, but people have to remember that VS also has different sizes for their bras. It seems dumb at first, but when you think about it it's kind of smart. Only size people for your sized bras and it keeps them coming back lol. In VS I am a 48(which is actually now more like a 44-46) DD, where in "most" bras, I'm more like a 46D.

yeah they have like vanity sizing. No way in hades am I really a C cup. But I sure did text my friends when VS told me I was!

GnomeLove

I don't really shop there to begin with, but if I did, I wouldn't care either way. As long as the sales associates are knowledgeable about the products, that's all that should matter. Customers are always snobby little brats though, no matter what customer service gig you have. The crap I could tell you about working at BK....it would make you hate humanity.

meshashesha2012

good for you. ignore the haters and do your thing.

it's good to see different body types and sizes in stores like that!

i dont shop at VS because they dont sell my bra size. DD is probably the cleavage i show when i wear a v neck shirt.. just the tip of the iceberg :laugh:

larodriguez02

Congrats on getting the job, its great to hear they hired you based on your interview and not your looks/size! I definitely don't have a problem with it, in fact i think those comments you mentioned are awful, people that look down on others because they are fat disgust me. I have shopped online there cause I like a certain type of underwear they have, otherwise I don't shop there, cause yes nothing fits me.

Hellbent_Heidi

OP, I love your story, and congrats on the job. I have a VS Outlet near my office and just love the deals there...but like someone else said, I also didn't think their bras were available over a C cup! I could also not care less about the size of the associate....as long as they're helpful (if I ask for help), friendly and not pushy.

ldrosophila

Go girl youre there to sale obviously the manager saw talent in you and thought you could offer great customer service. i dont mind going into a VS and have always been treated politely. I love their perfumes, make up, and lotions.

Ignore ignorant dumb f-cks who wouldnt know their head from a hole in the ground. You do your job you treat the customers right and you are knowledgeable about product there wont be any issues.

Besides you'll be rocking the lingerie soon enough.

micheleld73

How the sales person looks has no impact on me. It's how they interact with me. IF they are standoffish - it's a horrible experience if they're are cheerful and helpful...kudos!! I work at their sister store Bath & Bodyworks. Their philosophy is to put the customer first, if you can do that with a positive attitude, it shouldn't matter what you look like!!

jkal1979

All that matters is that I'm treated nicely and fitted properly. Size has nothing to do with customer service.

ETA: Congrats on getting the job!

LauraBalyk

I have never shopped at VS myself, but I have gone in with a friend who is mayyyyyyyybe 100 pounds haha she is a tiny one and loves their clothes and stuff. I must say that when was in there I felt VERY uncomfortable as I only saw size 00 or 0 size sales associates and all very tiny clothes. I think if I saw anyone in there of an average build or of a plus size build I would have felt EXTREMELY more comfortable. I think when you go into stores and you see small women everywhere it kind of makes it have that sterotype that it is a store for "small" women and if you are plus size they will not have anything for you. I know it is a bad sterotype as not all stores are like that, but that is definitely how I feel about it. I have recently become aware of warehouse one and marks work ware house ( I live in Canada, so not sure if some of you have heard of these places) but they actually carry up to size xxl !! which I was shocked ! but in a good way !! I think if you see an average size women or a plus size women in a 'typical' clothing store it would make me feel more willing to go into the store as well, as no one hates clothes shopping more than a big girl in small store !!

DalekBrittany

Go girl youre there to sale obviously the manager saw talent in you and thought you could offer great customer service. i dont mind going into a VS and have always been treated politely. I love their perfumes, make up, and lotions.

Ignore ignorant dumb f-cks who wouldnt know their head from a whole in the ground. You do you job you treat the customers right and you are knowledgeable about product there wont be any issues.

Besides you'll be rocking the lingerie soon enough.

Haha yepp I will! I love their lotions and perfumes, etc. I think they are going to put me in the beauty section because I mentioned that I have nearly every Secret Garden perfume and that I love their scents, lol.