When she overheard some comments about size in a clothes shop, Rachel Taylor was upset - but her defiant selfie has garnered her support from around the net
Plus size and perfect: Rachel Taylor bought this top as a stand against thoughtless fat-shaming
A woman who snapped a selfie in a high street dressing room has seen it go viral for the best reasons imaginable.
Rachel Taylor is standing proud in a Stars and Stripes vest top in the image, which she posted on the Old Navy store Facebook page on Friday.
But in the accompanying post she explains that purchasing the top came as a stand against some of the most hurtful fat-shaming she had heard.
Rachel begins: "I'd like to tell you the story behind this tank top and why I'll be rocking it for July 4."
She explains that she was standing by a teenage girl and her mother in the shop when the girl showed Mum a garment.
"The girl picked up a plus-size tank top, showed it to her mom and said, 'Look! Me and So-and-so can fit in this tank top!'
"Her mom laughed and said, 'Yeah, you could! That thing is huge!'"
Rachel admits on Facebook that she had an emotional reaction to such a mean comment.
Stand-up style: Rachel ended up buying the top because, as she explained, "I look fierce in it"
"I couldn't help it; I started crying. I guess the girl and her mom walked away. I have no idea.
"My husband walked me out of the store to the car. I sat in the car crying for a long time but eventually went back inside to finish my shopping."
Even though it had been a shopping trip to forget, Rachel will always remember her pride in that moment as she seized the day.
"I ended up buying that tank top because, it turns out, I look fierce in it!
She adds: "Be kind. Think about others before you speak. And if someone hurts you, you have to move on."
Old Navy got back to Rachel with the best kind of surprise, too: "Rachel, you are amazing. We want to celebrate your fierce style by sending you a gift card."
The comments below her post are a testament to the support that she's been receiving, with commenter saying: "Sweetie, you rock that tank top. You are beautiful", and M adding: "You are beautiful! Props to you for going back in... I can imagine the hurt you were feeling."
Rachel has since reposted on the original image adding her thanks to those who support her - and her acknowledgement to those who haven't.
"People should know that they are not alone in their struggles, and even if they seem silly to someone else, their feelings are still valid. As my Mama always says, "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all."
