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Original poster

AIBU to question John Lewis advert and its message about women?

310 replies

Sheldonsheher · 09/06/2026 15:19

John Lewis pushing this advert on my social media. Do they support oppression of women or is this a symbol of women’s right to choose .

AIBU to question John Lewis advert and its message about women?
OP posts:
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6
Gonners · 09/06/2026 17:05

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 09/06/2026 17:02

Incredibly depressing that this is available in the UK in 2026.

I feel the same about virginal white wedding dresses.

RumPidgeon · 09/06/2026 17:05

GimmieABreakOr3 · 09/06/2026 17:02

It is no different to Nike selling a niqab (Muslim headscarf). They’re simply catering to a wider demographic. It doesn’t need to be any deeper than that.

My husband said that but Nike is an international brand - John Lewis is British. Aimed at British clients in the UK.

RumPidgeon · 09/06/2026 17:03

I saw that and I was like “WTAF”!!! Such a good British brand - stooping to new lows in the process of increasing their customer base.

Sell clothing that promotes women shrinking into the shadows - reprehensible. Also: if anyone who buys this is actually looking for abayas I’m sure they’ll go to their trusted clothing shop of choice that is embedded in their community.

AIBU to question John Lewis advert and its message about women?
GimmieABreakOr3 · 09/06/2026 17:03

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 09/06/2026 17:02

Incredibly depressing that this is available in the UK in 2026.

Wow.

GimmieABreakOr3 · 09/06/2026 17:02

Netcurtainnelly · 09/06/2026 16:55

That's quite a worrying Picture all in black too. Very drab. Do the men dress like that thought not.

We don’t have to like it.

Notmycircusnotmyotter · 09/06/2026 17:02

Incredibly depressing that this is available in the UK in 2026.

GimmieABreakOr3 · 09/06/2026 17:02

It is no different to Nike selling a niqab (Muslim headscarf). They’re simply catering to a wider demographic. It doesn’t need to be any deeper than that.

Fiftyand · 09/06/2026 16:59

musicalfrog · 09/06/2026 15:31

They don't offer single sex changing rooms either. So no, they don't really support women's rights at all.

JL in Nottingham do.

Hobbitfeet32 · 09/06/2026 16:59

John Lewis also have many long full cover wedding dresses with veils. Are they oppressive? Some will be worn in church in a religious marriage ceremony.

Netcurtainnelly · 09/06/2026 16:55

That's quite a worrying Picture all in black too. Very drab. Do the men dress like that thought not.

Cosyblankets · 09/06/2026 16:54

There's offence everywhere if you look for it.
I don't see it here.
There are women who buy these so they need to buy them somewhere. So JL will sell them
I won't buy it because it's not for me.

I won't buy a push up bra either because that's not for me either but I have no problem seeing them advertised.

Miyagi99 · 09/06/2026 16:50

Sheldonsheher · 09/06/2026 16:00

It’s more the random John Lewis advert popping up. As I say maybe showing my age here but I was just surprised tbh that John Lewis sells such religious garments maybe the stock others I don’t know. I always thought muslim
dress was a bit controversial but maybe you can separate a prayer outfit from a burka and full face veil.

The majority (by far) of Muslim women in the UK do not wear a burka. I can’t say I’ve ever seen anyone wearing one, hijab and niqab yes.

SwatTheTwit · 09/06/2026 16:49

I think they’re just trying to grab money from all audiences possible, love. It’s not that deep.

BIossomtoes · 09/06/2026 16:47

Motnight · 09/06/2026 16:40

It's appeared for me too randomly.

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That’s odd because as a regular JL customer all I’m getting is Fathers’ Day suggestions.

LoremIpsumCici · 09/06/2026 16:41

Dweetfidilove · 09/06/2026 16:14

Major retailer sells items that may broaden their customer base. Whatever next?
This post reminds me of a lunatic I saw on IG last week ranting and raving about Lululemon selling bhurkinis, I believe.
Well, of course they do! Companies sell what customers require.

Many skin cancer survivors wear burkinis as it is the best way to go to the beach and protect yourself from more skin cancer.

Motnight · 09/06/2026 16:40

LizardLore · 09/06/2026 15:30

I find this hard to believe tbh, unless their algorithm is truly bust.

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It's appeared for me too randomly.

LoremIpsumCici · 09/06/2026 16:40

NewGoldFox · 09/06/2026 16:08

Not In Afghanistan.

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I do not think OP is in Afghanistan.
I think too people don’t know that long, loose clothes are actually very functional in these countries. They protect against the high UV at high altitides. They create a micro-climate so you are cool in the heat of the day and warm after sunset because high altitudes it gets really cold. The temperature can swing 25-30C from day to night. If you compare men to women, they’re all pretty covered up. It’s only the women also have their faces covered.

Growlybear83 · 09/06/2026 16:39

HermioneWeasley · 09/06/2026 15:49

It is completely different. nuns are a religious order, no ordinary catholic women wear the equivalent. This is every day wear for lots of women and of course it’s oppressive- no men are wearing it. Millions of women around the world are forced to wear it or die

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My daughter converted to Islam about five years ago and now dresses in much the same way as the model in the JL advert. Ten years ago she would have gone out for the evening wearing a skirt not much longer than a pelmet, a revealing top, and loads of make up. She is one of the most assertive, articulate, free thinking, and independent people I know but she is now completely at peace with her life, is much happier than I have ever seen her, and finds it liberating to wear this type of clothing. When she’s in the UK, she finds it difficult to find nice quality clothing so Im sure she will be interested to see what John Lewis have on offer. She is astounded when people say that this type of clothing is oppressive, and she dresses like this out of choice, not because she is forced to.

Original poster
Sheldonsheher · 09/06/2026 16:38

I meant my age as in old. As I was surprised John Lewis stock religious wear tbh.

OP posts:
GimmieABreakOr3 · 09/06/2026 16:34

It is up to Muslim women what they want to wear. I’ve got no problem with JL catering to this demographic to be honest. What’s your problem with it? Or are you being islamaphobic ?

Ginmonkeyagain · 09/06/2026 16:34

You now what ... Muslims are just normal people too. They are busy and have lives. They also have family/community things they will be invited to and want to attend where they may need to buy an outfit they don't have. Being able to order something quickly for click and collect on the JL website is something we all appreciate from time to time.

ClaredeBear · 09/06/2026 16:32

Pipsquiggle · 09/06/2026 16:01

@Sheldonsheher I shop on John Lewis all the time, never been shown this.

I don't think it's 'random' that you have been shown this advert. I think it's come up for you as your algorhythm knows you have looked for this type of thing in the past - you could have googled muslim religious dress or something like that.

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I’ve never googled that! I do see lots of JL adverts though.

ClaredeBear · 09/06/2026 16:30

It came up on my Facebook page as they know I like John Lewis in the same way that they know I like some other retail outlets. I saw it alongside a lot of other products and was mildly surprised but I guess JL are trying to be inclusive. That’s as far as my thoughts went.

EnterQueene · 09/06/2026 16:29

OP, why do you keep saying 'maybe its my age'. What has your age got to do with it, unless you are extremely young and naive? I am not a young women, so it doesn't surprise me that a shop would want to sell as many products as it could to as wide a market as possible.

LeedsLoiner · 09/06/2026 16:29

There's a 15,000 square foot John Lewis in Dubai Festival City. I should imagine they'd sell a few there.

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