Bodybuilder-Influencer Calls Foul Over American Dress Code
Joe Cortez July 14, 2021
A professional bodybuilder claims American Airlines wrongfully denied her boarding over what was called a dress code violation. Model Deniz Saypinar took to social media to claim American wasn’t letting her on because of how she was dressed, while the carrier said “customers must dress appropriately.”
A fitness influencer is calling out American Airlines, after she says she was denied for her choice of clothes for her flight. The Independent reports Instagram model and professional bodybuilder Deniz Saypinar is rallying against the carrier for what she alleges is unfair treatment.
“They Say ‘You’re Naked and You Offend Other Families”
According to Saypinar’s bio, the Turkish model and fitness influencer was the not only the first Turkish woman to earn professional status from the International Federation of Bodybuilders, but also the first non-American to win the U.S. National Bikini Fitness Competition in 2021.
She was attempting to fly aboard American from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Miami International Airport (MIA) on Thursday, July 8, 2021, to attend Miami Swim Week. But before she was allowed to board her aircraft, she claims a gate agent stopped her for what she was wearing: a brown tank top and denim shorts.
“They literally didn’t take me to the plane because they say ‘you’re naked and you offend other families,’” the model said in a now-removed Instagram post. On her Instagram story, references to her flight issue remain, including a picture of an interview and a pair of long pants tagged “For flight.”
According to her account, Saypinar claimed that there was nothing wrong with what she was wearing. She claims she was “treated like the worst person in the world for wearing denim shorts,” and claims her freedom was violated.
“I like to wear feminine clothes that reveal my femininity, but I never dress in a way that will offend anyone,” Saypinar said in her Instagram story, according to The Independent. “I’m mature and civilized enough to know what I can and cannot wear.”
In a statement to the newspaper, American acknowledged that they denied boarding to a passenger for a violation of their dress code.
“As stated in the conditions of carriage, all customers must dress appropriately and offensive clothing isn’t permitted on board our flights,” the American statement to The Independent reads. “The customer was advised of our policy and was rebooked on a subsequent flight.”
Dress Code Remains Point of Contention for Models
Maintaining dress codes remain a contentious point for models and other flyers, as the debate between what is considered “appropriate” or “smart casual” rages on. In 2020, WWE female wrestler and model Eva Marie took to Instagram when she was not allowed to enter a Qantas lounge in what she described as active wear.
I took a spin through her Insta account and I'd expect to see her in Maxim, not on a plane. I looked at the photos of what she was wearing that day. Most people have bathing suits that are more appropriate for a flight. I'm far from a prude, but she's far from being even remotely appropriate outside a nightclub--at best. There are enough problems on planes these days with idiots that don't know how to act in public, and she fits that list.
Poor thing, doesn't understand the definition of 'feminine', nor does she know what offensive means. OTOH, look at all the attention she's getting! Big win for the braindead body builder.
Like so many Instagram/YouTube/"internet influencers", this is all about clicks and likes. Asking someone like her to use common sense as a civilized person is something their brains can't handle. Sadly our world is more about "look at me!" and then when the world doesn't like it - those idiots cry "discrimination" or "bias" or "unfairness". I have zero sympathy for people that expect special treatment just for breathing.
I saw the photos, she was hardly wearing any clothing. Personally, I've been in a situation where I was seated next to a rather large woman who was wearing a very short skirt and tank top. Her bare skin kept making accidental contact with me, it was extremely uncomfortable and I asked to have my seat moved because of it. Needless to say, airlines are correct to enforce a dress code. As Larry David puts it: shorts are bad for traveling... and skin tight spandex short, shorts should definitely result in said traveler getting kicked off the flight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBlRmAAp6J8
Or, just mind your own business and don't worry about how others dress. Good lord, as if there aren't actual problems on which we should focus.