A plus–size performer has gone viral after slamming a department store for failing to stock clothes in large sizes.

Gillian Hassert, who is an actress and singer, sparked an online firestorm after filming herself shopping at Marshalls for a new dress.

‘I just wish straight-size people could experience what it’s like looking for clothes as a fat person in a store just one time,’ she said into her iPhone as she perused the racks at the discount retailer.

‘I’m at Marshall’s and there are… I think I found four dresses my size on clearance that are sundresses. That‘s it,’ she continued.

‘Nothing in the regular racks. Can’t find s**t anywhere. It’s crazy. What am I supposed to do?’ she asked.

‘I might have to not go to this f***ing event because I can’t find clothes. There was more selection at the vintage store!’

Sharing the video to Instagram, Hassert wrote, ‘Fat people deserve clothes. And fully acknowledging that even thinking I COULD find clothes in a store is a privilege that larger fat folks don’t have.’

She added the hashtags, ‘#fat #fatclothes #plussize #plussizefashion #antifatbias.’

The clip quickly went viral, racking up close to half a million views on social media and dividing opinion.

In a follow-up video, Hassert said that she was being ‘bullied’ online before jokingly urging the people trolling her to be more clever and creative with their insults.

She also revealed that she’s been diagnosed with ADHD and that losing weight isn’t currently a priority for her.

‘Girl stop blaming everyone and everything else. There are literal stores for plus size clothes. Stop expecting the world to cater to you,’ wrote one critic.

‘When I noticed it was getting tricky to find good clothes, I went on a diet and started walking… it’s a personal accountability thing,’ another commented.

A third wrote, ‘Babe this is a sign. You’re also profusely sweating just shopping for clothes. I’d call this a wake up call.’

Others defended the performer, with one writing, ‘I am amazed at the things people say when hiding behind a keyboard?!! WTF?!?’

They added, ‘Girl you are a talented, amazing, beautiful QUEEN!! The fashion industry just needs to be more in tune with their audience.’

Another commented, ‘The comments you’ve been getting are insane!! It’s wild how people make the fact that you struggle to find something to wear about them!’

Hassert later explained what the term ‘straight size’ means after being questioned about it.

‘Straight sizes are just standard sizes that come in the stores,’ she said.

‘So it’s a fashion industry term, like double zero to fourteen. And then past that is considered plus size.’

Hassert is a theatrical performer who is currently on tour with Les Misérables.

As an actress, she has appeared on HBO’s The Other Two and TV Land’s Younger.

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Plus-size woman furious that she can’t find dresses that fit: ‘Fat people deserve clothes!’