Celebrities Aren’t Happy About United Airline’s Legging Scandal
#LeggingGate
Leggings are likely the most polarizing piece of fashion you own. Are they pants? Are they workout wear? Are they appropriate attire for air travel? There really is no simple answer!
The controversy shook the Internet this weekend, when Twitter user Shannon Watts witnessed two teenagers and a 10-year-old girl be denied entry onto a United Airlines flight. Why? Because a gate agent deemed their body-hugging, form-fitting leggings as “improper attire”.
United defended this decision, citing that the girls were travelling as guests of an airline employee and therefore are subject to a dress code.
The passengers this morning were United pass riders who were not in compliance with our dress code policy for company benefit travel.
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
Needless to say, the incident struck a nerve with women (and men!) who have made leggings a staple in their wardrobe. Thankfully, celebrities—who seem to really love leggings—came to the young girls’ defense.
I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress. Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
The biggest call out: it seems United Airlines is policing the apparel of just one gender. The arbitrary dress code sexualizes women’s bodies in a way that’s outdated and unacceptable, especially in the case of a 10-year-old girl.
@united Leggings are business attire for 10 year olds. Their business is being children.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 26, 2017
We here at @united are just trying to police the attire of the daughters of our employees! That's all! Cool, right? https://t.co/xGyL4IAslE
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) March 26, 2017
Understandable. It's just that saying a dad in cargo shorts is more appropriate than a 10 y/o girl in leggings is weird maybe rethink https://t.co/U1xzH5P6Ar
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 27, 2017
Perhaps the most iconic string of Tweets comes unexpected legging advocate, William Shatner.
???I'm going to start wearing leggings! Is that against the rules? ?#outdatedfashion #outdatedrules https://t.co/V5LnwDwygY
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 26, 2017
@PattyArquette @Shananigans @united @shannonrwatts See? ?? I've done it before! ?? pic.twitter.com/MC6P144kjL
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 26, 2017
I read the whole story. If they were wearing string bikinis ? they may have a point but leggings are worn by a large number of fashionistas. https://t.co/nhblQRs7Z8
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 27, 2017
On behalf of fashionistas everywhere, thank you Mr. Shatner for lending us your voice.
And if you’re planning to fly with United in the future, don’t fret—they care about the comfort of paying customers. The airline issued a statement about the incident, concluding, “To our regular customers, your leggings are welcome.”