A former Texan political candidate says he was humiliated while trying to get a suit.
Last year, Sam Hatton ran as a Democrat for the Texas House District 71 seat. Unfortunately, the rural community organizer from Abilene, Texas lost to Republican incumbent Stan Lambert, according to Abilene Reporter News. Even worse, that was the second time he’d lost to Lambert. But now, Hatton is making the news for a much more personal struggle.
Standing at 6 feet and 2 inches and weighing 350 lbs, Sam Hatton jokes that he’s a real-life teddy bear. But, Hatton wasn’t so happy when he visited suit retailer Indochino, according to Queerty.
Hatton is preparing to marry his fiancé Jake Lanehart in September after they first met in September of 2014. To prepare for that, the two decided to look into getting custom-made suits.
As Sam Hatton explained in a Facebook post, “As a fat person, I’ve learned to plan. I cannot stand pitying looks or being given any reason to look more out of place in a world that isn’t made for me. It’s something I’ve learned to do from being embarrassed a few too many times. The booth at the diner is too small or you accidentally catch a belt loop on the door frame for the millionth fucking time. I wake up in the world as someone who has to prove they aren’t a clown. It is exhausting.”
He added, “So I researched and planned. I read fashion blogs by overweight men who endorsed Indochino. I read and reread Indochino’s site and several times entered in my measurements and got very excited. I was going to get to share the same unfettered experience with my partner.”
After driving three hours to the closest Indochino store in Dallas, an employee of the retailer, which makes custom-fit suits, told him he wouldn’t fit their standard measurements.
“Jake and I wait our turn,” he continued. “He was scheduled first. When our very kind associate, obviously trying to think of a way to say something uncomfortable said, ‘…so long as you fit within our measurements.’ She tried her hardest to look at both of us but everyone knew what was about to happen. I was crestfallen.”
“She kindly measured Jake first. I want to emphasize how kind this person was. She obviously wanted to make me feel as human as possible. I can’t say how much I appreciate that. Then she measured me.” Hatton explained. “Shoulders, broad, good. Neck, good. Arms, good. Waist. ‘Sir, I’m so sorry but you’re just a few inches out of our standard measurements. My system won’t allow me to fit you.’”
Sam Hatton then shared that he expressed how “embarrassing and hurtful” the experience was. He also told the employee that the site did not state that he wouldn’t fit.
“I made sure to indicate that my complaint wasn’t with her, but her employer’s system. She, without prompting agreed that it was awful, I could see the human concern in her eyes and indicated that she would work hard to make sure someone who could do something knew what happened.”
He added, “She also gave me the name and number of a good tailor. She asked if she could have him reach out. I consented.”
After getting Jake measured for a suit, picking out all the fabrics, accessories, etc., the couple paid “just over $500” and left. When asked by Jake if he wanted lunch, Sam responded that he wanted to be taken to somewhere private. Jake found a parking structure and left to give Sam some alone time.
“I didn’t just cry, I wailed. For 20 minutes, in a dark parking structure, I mourned my dignity. I can’t describe it as anything other than loss,” he shared. “For those of you who don’t know how it feels, I really do envy you. After I was sure I was finished, I checked my phone. I had a missed call from a tailor. The woman at the store hadn’t wasted any time. She really is a good person. I was seen as a person by her that day, not an obstacle.”
Though, there was a silver lining to the story. An expensive one.
“I’ll be getting a custom suit,” said Sam. “It cost about three times what we paid for my partner’s. Don’t get me wrong, it is worth every penny. It’s a completely custom suit made by a small business owner. The point is, that day, there wasn’t just an emotional premium for being fat, there was a $1000 fee.
Despite that expensive silver lining, Sam Hatton says the moment haunts him.
“I am reminded every day that I live in a world that isn’t made for me. When I was a little younger, seeking out queer relationships drew that reality to an even finer point. Fat people are people. We aren’t a joke. We aren’t clowns.”
“And yes, we’ve tried fucking keto,” he concluded.
Since posting his story to Facebook, it has been shared over 11k times and has garnered over 2.7k comments. Many of those comments come from people who share similar experiences or say they can relate to Sam Hatton’s struggle.
As for Indochino, they shared that they will update their website so customers are aware of their restrictions in the future.
Source: Abilene Reporter News, Queerty,
My wife had the same issue. Go to the Dr. for a cold, and met with “have you thought about losing weight?”. Go to the Dr. for mammogram, and met with “have you thought about losing weight?”. Go to the Dr. for a vaccination, and met with “have you thought about losing weight?”. You name it, the same response. And yes, she both needed to lose weight, and knew it, and when she did lose, it was never enough. We live in a frequently cruel society.
I went through the same thing years back. Never was able to afford to have a suit made. Even tried several salvation army stores and more with no luck. Ignore the simpletons on here they are unhappy haters. The world doesn’t need them. Thanks for your story.
What a bunch of idiots who know nothing of the world LoSe WeIgHt blah blah blah typical people who judge first and don’t k ow the reason behind weight gain or anything instead of sitting there being judgemental try seeing something from this person’s perspective or are you just that blind to your own rose tinted life style ?
These people just need to stop, “super sizing” everything when ordering at the drive thru and remember that ordering a diet soda with your 3 bag order is not going to make you lose weight, just sayin.
Your an ass!
Sorry, but it is true and reality. Invest in a trainer, exercise and healthy eating. If you eat like shit and don’t exercise, then don’t complain. If you can’t find clothing at the, “Big and Tall” stores, you got a problem.
I’d rather be on a plane FULL of large people than sit next to one rude, uncompassionate twit. There’s no surgery for a shameful and hateful mind, but fortunately there’s no cost to trying to be a better person.
Good, you can have my seat as well and they should charge them double for taking up so much room. I agree, too bad for his whiny ass, push yourself away from the buffet instead of crying about how people and businesses don’t make jumbo clothes.
And here’s another one. It’s easier to lose hate than weight. Consider it.
You are a JERK
If you are that miserable and make changes and decisions to avoid being put in uncomfortable situations, sorry that’s on you. Do weight loss surgery or something if nothing else works but I am not going to tip toe quietly around you or others, just like I am not going to suffer by sitting next to an obese person on a plane and be quiet about it so I don’t hurt your feelings. Truth hurts but it is reality.
What a brainless halfwit
The only people suffering are the ones sitting next to some hissing queen who thinks she’s all that. Get over yourself MARY.