The subject of dress codes is currently divisive. Whether in public settings like schools or in private ones like workplaces, everyone always seems to have something to say about someone’s dress.
Now, if you’re the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and Steve from accounting is upset that he can’t wear his fur coat to work on Friday, that makes sense.
However, when it comes to some “dress code” limitations, things frequently end up being discriminatory. Like when a wrestler’s dreadlocks needed to be cut to participate on the mat, or when teachers or administrators tried to make one parent feel bad for buying their daughter shorts that weren’t long enough.
Even while we would anticipate this type of micro-managing when it comes to the academic world, it is unsettling to consider that an adult would be told by a stranger that their attire is inappropriate (because the stakes are just so low).
This is exactly what Jaiah Fern, 22, experienced; she was confronted by a store employee while shopping in the UK. The employee was visibly irritated. The girl couldn’t believe her ears when he told her why he had approached her.
And while most situations make it clear who has gone too far, one instance has caused an online argument over who was wrong, as controversies centering around dress codes are still cropping up in public spaces, despite fashion trends constantly pushing the limits of what should be considered acceptable attire.
Jaiah, a student, was at Asda supermarket on the Isle of Dogs East, London when approached by a male employee, who tried kicking her out because of what she was wearing. The shopper was asked to leave the store after being informed that she was basically naked and shouldn’t be there.
It all begins when an employee who is seen wearing an Asda jacket approach Jaiah , he told Jaiah that because of his immigration status he isn’t “allowed” to have a girlfriend because of his immigration status. Perplexed about what he’s talking about, Jaiah asked to which the employee replies, “I know the rules,” the bizarre encounter then turned hot.
Jaiah who wore a hoodie, crop top, and jogging bottoms, asks whether he’s complaining about what she’s wearing to which the employee agrees, before returning to his phone call, the employee said, “we can see your body almost” acknowledging that her outfit is the problem.
He explains, “Right now the manager is coming, the manager for the night shif.”
Giving viewers a glimpse of what she’s wearing, Jaiah turns the camera to her body, she pans up and down her body, revealing that she has paired a cropped tank top with a pair of matching sweat pants and an open jacket, after the employee walks away to report the young woman for her clothes.
Jaiah questions the employee, “So, I don’t respect myself is what you’re saying?”
“No, not because you aren’t [respecting yourself], We have a policy in ASDA,” the employee says in broken English.
“So tonight in ASDA, Isle of Dogs, I was told by an employee that I wasn’t wearing enough clothes, I wasn’t respecting myself, that I’m basically naked and I shouldn’t be in there, Honestly the most disgusting behavior,” she captioned her post.
A spokesperson confirmed that the company has no such policy and that an internal investigation is underway, as the post went viral, Asda reached out to Jaiah about the incident.
“As soon as we were made aware of this incident we launched an investigation within the store, we have been in contact with Jaiah to explain that this is not our policy and to apologise for the negative experience they had on this occasion,” the spokesperson explained.
Some commenters sided with the employee and others defended Jaiah and her choice of clothing, unsurprisingly, the internet was divided on the issue.
With one commenter said, “Why do people think it’s ok to go out in pyjamas and slippers? What sort of slovenly behaviour is that teaching children. I agree with the guy to be honest.”
“It’s up to her how she dresses she was fully clothed, its the ASDA employee pushing his beliefs on someone else which is unacceptable.”
“What happened to standards?”
“I personally don’t see the issue. she’s covered and looks respectable enough to go to the supermarket compared to what i have seen during late night trips to supermarket (people in dressing gowns, vest and boxershorts).”
Watch the video below for more details:
Sources: Taphaps, Indy100, Dailymail