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 .

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

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.

JL in Nottingham do.

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.

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

We don’t have to like it.

Wow.

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.

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

I feel the same about virginal white wedding dresses.

What do you mean ?

JL is a local shop, for local people. I strongly recommend their Royston Vasey branch.

Oh !😂

And do we not have British Muslims here?

and are you saying only British people are allowed to shop in John Lewis-most notably white British?

this thread stinks of racism!

It's absolutely nothing like a nun's habit.

This is simply a business deciding that there is a market.

Like John Lewis allowing dogs in. I can’t stand dogs and hate them wandering around sniffing at the clothes. But they clearly want the dog owner market so have made a business decision. And having dogs in shops and cafés is most definitely not a Muslim thing!

Businesses want money. That’s it.

How is it any different? Honestly - laughable

Well, I love a well behaved pooch and quite frankly as a dog owner and dog lover myself - I think it’s a lovely business decision. I do draw the line at cafes though.

So Brittish Muslims can shop in JL, yes?

And Cambridge.

The young Muslim woman I know who has chosen to dress like this is a feisty single teacher in her twenties. She is loved by kids of all backgrounds at her inner city school and is one of the most assertive people I know.

She is from a liberal Muslim family. Her dad didn’t want her to wear the hijab, and her older brother is actively embarrassed of her wearing it. She absolutely did it for herself as she said it made her feel closer to Allah. Who are we to argue with that?

That’s not really the point I am making here but ok!

Me too

the Op actively actively searched for something to start a thread about or the algorithms associated with the Op indicates she has an interest in this

OP it came up in my feed too and I was surprised as I have definitely not shown any interest in muslim garments!!

Really, because nuns have chosen that lifestyle and Muslim women are born into it and have no real choice.