This Woman Was Kicked Out Of A Gym Just For Wearing A Crop Top

#1

A College of Charleston student’s gym photo went viral after she posted on Facebook that the schools' gym booted her just for wearing a crop top.

Sarah Villafañe, the student in question, shared the story of her encounter on Facebook. She said that when she entered the gym, she was told to change her shirt, but she didn't change because she had worn the same clothes all day and didn't see the big deal. She also didn't have a change of clothes that would be good for working out, also hindering a change.

#2

Villafañe says a male employee came over to her when she was working out and an argument soon followed.

“He says, ‘Are you gonna put a shirt on?’” Villafañe said on her post. “And I said, ‘Well if this isn’t a shirt … no. I’m not gonna put a shirt on.”

On Facebook, Villafañe but the gym on blast saying,

“I literally bought this outfit to work out in because it’s COMFORTABLE,” she wrote. “What is the issue? Why can’t I work out in this outfit? Is my belly button distracting to the general 85% male demographic that your gym serves? I’m forced to leave, WHY? Honestly I’m so floored that I just got kicked out for this.”

#3

You can see her full post here:

#4

Villafañe has brought the heated topic of sexist dress codes that seem to single out young women in an unfair manner back to the forefront. It wasn't long ago that another young lady caused a stir for the exact same thing at another gym. A spokesperson for the CoC said that she wasn’t booted for violating any dress code, she was booted because her shirt somehow dangerous for herself and others in the gym.

Mike Robertson, spokesperson and senior director of media for the CoC, had this to say, “The College of Charleston and many other Colleges and universities follow best practices that require people in the gym to wear a full shirt while working out in order to minimize skin exposure to possible infectious agents.”

#5

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) has put out a warning in the past stating that gyms and other settings of athletic nature may be breeding areas for and easily capable of spreading infectious diseases. Robertson referenced this warning in his statement.

NATA does not, however, recommend or advise people wearing full clothing to prevent infection. They instead encourage colleges to maintain clean safe athletic environments.

Robertson says the rules apply to everyone who enters the gym and the dress code is shown in plain sight on the gym's entrance. The rules specifically require wearing, “athletic attire” including “T-shirts, running shoes, sneakers, shorts, or pants” and “footwear.”

#6

Regardless of all of that, if the comments section on Villafañe’s Facebook post is any indication, whether the rule unfairly targeted her or her outfit really was a health concern is quite a hot debate.

As of Wednesday morning May 17th, the April 19 post had received more than 2.3k reactions, nearly 800 comments, and well over 500 shares.