Recently, TV Host Adeola Ariyo took to social media to bring to light a topic that’s often swept under the rug, that of the “dress code” and the subtle opportunities for discrimination that can arise from this.
Unfortunately for Cape Town, some of our restaurants are under fire, facing the internet’s fury. Camps Bay has never looked hotter.
In a video, Ariyo shared her admittedly gorgeous outfit, and indicated that she didn’t meet the dress code for entry, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt.
“Your discrimination today was unnecessary. This IS smart casual!” her caption fired at a popular Italian restaurant.
So this happened… #zenzero #capetown pic.twitter.com/GpQHij3jHR
— Adeola Ariyo (@AdeolaAriyo) September 11, 2021
Ariyo later updated that when she did receive seating, the apology was issued in a lacklustre manner.
The post received over 120.8 thousand views and thousands of retweets, and in the midst, many others took to sharing their experiences and thoughts on “dress code” mentality.
Sorry you had this Experience. 😢 You look lovely. -d (Curator @CapeTown)
Guess it’s in eye of Beholder.
“This is a dress code that hides in the shadows of other dress codes. It is a blend of opposites and, as such, it tends to end up in a grey area”. https://t.co/ur15oZfwvb
— 🟣 Ɗᴇᴇ •° (@iAmnotMany) September 12, 2021
Haiboo is this not the same place you guys went to last week? @Miss_Sethu @HlumelaFinca where you were turned away too?
— Poppy (@PoppyFinnese) September 12, 2021
This happened to me too 🙃
— Awande (@Wandyboo) September 11, 2021
I saw this happen on Friday evening, a few girls were being denied entry like it’s some exclusive club. I was so confused. WOW! What a day to pick the wrong one.
— Cynthy Gwebu (@CGwebuOfficial) September 12, 2021
The questions people have posed pertain to what exactly allows some people entry based on their appearances, and not others.
Is it a race conversation? A sexist conversation?
Men added subtweets expressing that they have been allowed into the restaurant wearing far more relaxed outfits.
Unfortunately for restaurants bent on dress codes, without proper communication on what is seemingly expected of customers, turning people away without detailed reasoning makes room for socially prejudice conclusions to be drawn.
And if there is such a stringent dress code, why would such information not be emphasised on the website?
The policy is not even on the website chile.
— Arethah (@Makhadzi_) September 11, 2021
Additionally, some people brought up the geographic positioning, expressing that an extremely rigid dress code opposes the coastal restaurant ambiance.
This user brings to our attention that perhaps the dress code is more fluid for men. Others addressed that it seems to be black women that face the fire of dress code tremors.
I checked him out for chasing young dancers from the front of the restaurant. The place is on the beach nogal. I go there in my swim shorts,vest and klap-klap and nothing gets said. Sorry beautiful
— WESSEL (@MOTHOBOLA) September 12, 2021
At a restaurant that’s opposite the beach even? https://t.co/SsL2cW7UNj
— 🦄 (@Lebz_Maluks) September 13, 2021
The @BungalowClifton tried to deny me access because I’m wearing a bikini top and a matching coverup showing cleavage but my male counterparts with their entire chests out were allowed in, because of “policy”. Is this not a beach front venue? Since when do we police cleavage?
— Missy on a Mission (@MissyRobertsxo) September 9, 2021
One thing that can be drawn from Ariyo’s story is that the “dress-code” mentality could use some clarification in Cape Town, otherwise it becomes an excuse for prejudice.
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Picture:@AdeolaAriyo
