Reality star brutally shamed for shoulder-pad dress

A British reality star is being fashion shamed for wearing one of the biggest trends from the ’80s.

Gemma Collins, who appears on The Only Way Is Essex, attended a party in London on Thursday night wearing a burnt orange dress with ruche detailing and chainmail trim.

The piece, designed by Gerda Truubon, also featured large shoulder pads, which many commenters on Collins’s Instagram took issue with. “Don’t like the shoulder pads but cute,” one wrote. Another added, “You’re gorgeous but the dress does you no justice, think it’s the pads…if I was you I’d be having words with your stylist.”

Many also compared the exaggerated look to a football uniform, asking if she was suiting up to play in a Sunday pickup league or the Super Bowl.

Critics in general were unkind and unnecessarily brutal. “I’m sorry but this dress is so unflattering,” one person wrote. “This dress wasn’t a good choice. Seriously. Don’t ever wear it again,” said another.

Perhaps the harshest assessment came courtesy of journalist Alexander Fury. Previously a fashion editor at the Independent, he has written for high-profile publications including Vogue and the New York Times.

“There is NOTHING I don’t love about this outfit. I’m replicating it by shoving two Happy Meal boxes into a pair of tights with a glitter glue stripe. High fashion,” he captioned a photo of Collins on Instagram. His followers quickly jumped in with equally nasty reviews.

However, some people, were disappointed in Fury for judging a woman’s wardrobe choice so negatively. “She isn’t harming anyone and GOD when will it be unacceptable for men to finally stop commenting on women’s appearances,” someone wrote. “Shame I feel sorry for her — what a cruel world,” another added. And, as one commenter succinctly put it, “What about the old saying: ‘if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.'”

Collins is far from the only victim of fashion and body shaming. Over the past few months, the likes of Rihanna and Lady Gaga have both become targets on the Internet for their outfits and physiques.

Importantly though, like the aforementioned musicians, Collins had many defenders. One of the best ones: “You know what? Work. Work work work. She’s giving me unstoppable glamour and I’m living.”