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

[Sheldonsheher]

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 .

It's prayer abaya isn't it - so you slip it on over your other clothes if you want to go to Mosque and pray.

Do you also have issues with mantillas and Jewish prayer shawls as well OP?

I have spent a lot of time with Franciscan friars (and Benedictine monks, but less so). They would slip their habits on over their gardening clothes, for example, for the offices in the chapel. Several secular (i.e. non-monastic) orders for lay people have prayer tunics or similar.

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.

@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.

I’d say it’s truly tent.

It came up randomly for me, too.

I do click on some Middle East news stories, so possibly it picked up on that.

Algorithms are pretty clunky - I get pelted with random dog trainers' feeds on FB, because some of them comment (negatively) on the feeds of trainers I actually respect and follow.

Even if it did come up on your algorithm what is the issue - there are Muslim women in the UK who have money and some may want to buy a prayer outfit. John Lewis clearly have decided it is worth their while selling it.

I’m shocked about the amount saying you are being unreasonable. Personally I think it is inappropriate to advertise such a regressive practice and women wringing their hands about what is clearly a step back a modern culture is depressing.

@Sheldonsheher here's a hijab at M&S

Looks like M&S have quite a few options for Muslim clothing.

It's 2026. Retailers are interested in all people with disposable incomes from all religions

John Lewis is a business. If they think they'll make money from it they'll sell it and advertise it.

Not In Afghanistan.

@GhostsJulianforPrimeMinister I am not Muslim and nor do I agree with any restrictions on what women wear. I do however believe women should have the freedom to wear what they want, including stuff I may not like or approve of.

I have actually worn a prayer abaya at the mosque part of a good friend's wedding (we wore them over our wedding clothes and then took them off for the more social part).

I am still, amazingly, a fully independent woman unaffected by wearing religious dress to respect my friend's culture.

Clothes shops sell the clothes that people are likely to pay money to buy.

They don't make value judgements about the moral value of the clothes.

If you don't want to wear an item of clothing, I suggest you don't buy it.

Very few nuns wear habits and haven't done since the 70's.
And yes it's very different because nuns choose their path in life unlike the girls who are taught from a young age that they must cover their bodies up.

Really?
All the branches I've been do including their flagship Oxford st branch.

Which stores have you found they allow men?

Do you also have issues with mantillas and Jewish prayer shawls as well OP?
Or jewelry with a cross?

what an interesting life!

That is not the same however as what Muslim women are made to wear by men.

Does John Lewis ship to Afghanistan now?

None of those religions oppress women .

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.

They sound pretty clued up to me. The OP did not even know what type of garment it is before rushing to post in a negative way about it. Does she have a problem with other religious clothing, I wonder.🤔

Seriously? 😧

Is there a JL branch in Afghanistan? I wonder how much stuff is bought online from JL is Afghanistan.

None of those religions oppress women

Whatever your views on different religion, it is totally irrelevant when it comes to selling clothing that is in demand.

Interesting...