I was writing about White Tie and Cocktail dress codes on etiquette-tips.com lately, and I loved it. I think the dress code is fun and people should know at least basic rules of dressing etiquette, in order to know what is expected from you on a particular event. But what I also love about dressing etiquette is that it is always up to you to decide if you want to follow it or not. You can always show up wearing something inappropriate, showing off your individuality, just be prepared that you might not receive an invitation for the next event. It is always your choice to make.
But would you say, if you were being forced to follow a particular dress code while you go shopping or to the movies?
Today I came across one article on Bloomberg.com about how the leader in Chechnya is enforcing women to follow Islamic dress code and condoning punitive attacks on those who defy the rules and it really made me think whether it is right or wrong.
According to the New York-based rights group report, Chechen authorities are requiring women to wear a headscarf and dress in long skirts and sleeves in all public places, including offices, schools, universities, entertainment venues, movie theaters and outdoor areas.
And if women are not following these rules, they are punished. For example, in mid-2010, men mostly dressed like local law enforcement officials shot dozens of women in the Chechen capital Grozny with paintball guns for wearing clothes deemed to be revealing. The men also handed out leaflets that warned the women they would face more “persuasive” measures if they failed to comply, the report said.
The leader of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov in interview with Bloomberg News said that he had issued instructions for the dress code to protect Chechen women’s modesty.
Well, I honestly don’t know what to say. I feel sorry for women in Chechnya, how sad it is to wear headscarf all the time. And what if it doesn’t suit you? What if you have amazing legs, but they are hidden under long skirt forever?
What do you think about it? Do you think it is right to enforce people to follow particular dress code?
You can read the full article here: Bloomberg.com
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While following the policies of Ramzan Kadyrov is not something I generally support, in this case, he has a point. A dress code is to be respected. As far as social invites go, follow the dress code or don’t show up. If I hosted a black tie even and someone showed up in a lounge suit, I would not be that disappointed to see them paintballed. You have a choice to follow the dress code or not. The choice is simply to attend or not. If you dont like the dress code, then decline the invitation.
As far as this comment goes: “I feel sorry for women in Chechnya, how sad it is to wear headscarf all the time. And what if it doesn’t suit you? What if you have amazing legs, but they are hidden under long skirt forever?” I would suggest you consider the position of European women who visit the United States and are forced to follow your dress codes on the beach or be arrested for going topless, which is totally normal all over Europe. European women may ask, “what if you have amazing breasts, but they they are hidden under your bikini top forever?”
Different dress codes, enforceable by law, often viewed as restrictive by more progressive outsiders, are the norm all over the world, including the United States. As visitors to the country, you have an obligation to comply with local laws regarding dress code, no matter how regressive it may appear from your perspective.