I just went out to grab a tub of ice cream from the little place down the road and my brother made a comment before I left… He goes, “…Is that what you’re wearing to the store..?”
I say wdym.
“I mean… Is that what you’re wearing to the store. 𤨔
I said something along the lines, well that’s very fucking obviously not a question, so what exactly are you trying to say to me? (Except not nearly as based becuz I was annoyed so I fumbled a bit)
Then he’s like, “Well… I’m just saying, don’t be surprised if you get cat-called.”
So yeah now this is hanging over me… And it feels extra bad because like… That ice cream I got is for serving with the birthday desert I made for him, lol.
But I digress… May I have some objective opinions? Is this an inappropriate fit for a grocery store? This is a newish routine for me: This summer I’ve been (consistently) wearing a sports bra + running shorts when walking to get groceries. I love it cause it’s extremely comfy, especially in hot weather (for context it is 29 Celsius today lol), and it’s also a quick and convenient option to just throw on so it hugely reduces procrastination, anxiety, dilly-dallying, etc. I don’t feel particularly sexy or anything. đ
I am in Toronto, for more context, not exactly a small or rural area…
Comments
It’s fine. Your brother is misogynistic though, if he thinks a woman showing a little extra skin is deserving of being harassed.
Toronto (and the rest of southern Ontario) is also in the middle of a heat wave right now. That is a weather appropriate outfit.
I meanâŚI would not wear just a bra to the store, nor would most stores allow me in.
âDonât be surprised if you get catcalledâ is an absolute dumbass comment. Women get catcalled in long down jackets. But yes this is an inappropriate outfit for a grocery store run.
Iâm not scandalized by skin and wear stuff like crop tops, short shorts, and mini skirts myself regularly, but I believe in the bare minimum of shirt and shoes in stores and restaurants, and you are objectively not wearing a shirt.
the modesty in this comment section lmao it is totally fine to wear a sports bra as a top just as it’s fine to wear a pair of leggings that aren’t see through as pants. you’re literally totally covered. oh no, tummy, what am i gonna do!!! like???
If you feel comfortable and safe in it, you go ahead and do it đ¤đť
Your brother should worry more about the disgusting people from his own sex than whatever you’re wearing. I don’t know how the two of you grew up but what you’re wearing is never any of his business unless you try to wear skiing clothes in the middle of a heat wave and he worries you might die.
that outfit is completely fine for going to the grocery store. If I saw you i would totally think “oh, fits the weather. she probably is very sporty. omg is that a Zelda tattoo?!”
Meh. Nothing wrong with it. If I saw you I might think “dafuq,” but I’d mind my damn business and keep shopping.
I think that it’s completely fine for you to wear what you want/feels good. Judgers are gonna judge. that’s their thing. also (and i live in a much warmer climate) I would wear more because the grocery store here is abusrdly air conditioned int eh summer and i would be cold.
Iâm sorry but no, this is completely inappropriate lol. Itâs not the activewear but the skin showing. I live somewhere way hotter than this and often dress like this for walks or workout classes, but if Iâm running to the grocery store after, I bring along a hoodie and throw it on before going inside.
I definitely regularly wear bras only to workout, but Iâm consistently surprised at people wearing them out in public. What happened to no shoes, no shirt, no serviceđ
Legally, all the necessary spots are covered (legally I think we can go topless). But personally I would group this type of attire with wearing pyjamas in public. This is the kind of thing many people would wear at home but not to a store since it’s literally a bra and super short shorts. Even in Toronto this is a bit underdressed.
Every generation has their definition of appropriate public attire, and this wouldn’t meet mine, but it’s your body, your choice. Do you care what people at the grocery store think of your outfit?
Itâs perfectly fine, I would just assume you were on your way to/from the gym or something and I would think most people would think the same.
Being cat-called can happen no matter what you are wearing.
Youâre ducking into a store, not going to a wedding. You have shoes on, you have clothes on. The essentials have been achieved lol
Tell him to focus all that behavior police energy on those who are causing the problems, not those who are subjected to them.
Some of these comments are wild. You’re basically wearing a crop top and shorts. How could this be inappropriate?Â
Edit: I’ve come to realize that the naysayers are from two lines of logic- sexist or classist. They either think that this is too sexy, or that you should adhere to social formality standards.Â
But each culture has their own standards. It’s normal to see shoppers in bikinis in beach towns, or pajamas in low-income neighborhoods. Our values shift as our needs/environment shift. If you can’t handle a person shopping in activewear, maybe evaluate why this bothers you? Is it really wrong? How would your life change if this became the norm? Maybe exclusionary social standards should be the thing to judge. Not a harmless shopper.Â
I see women like this at the store all the time. Especially at Trader Joe’s near an Orange Theory since people work out then walk over to shop.
I’m sure they get oogled, but I have literally never seen or heard one of these women get cat called. This sounds like something someone who is insecure and controlling would say.
i wouldnât personally feel comfortable wearing just a sports bra to the grocery store BUT if you can wear it to the gym, or out in public, then you can wear it to the store!
do what makes you comfortable!!! youâre clothed SO itâs completely appropriate!
I also live in Toronto and wear clothes like that for a quick store run. Iâve seen countless women do the same. Iâve seen men wearing those skin tight biking fits in the grocery store. Wtf are these comments
I’m not objective at all.
You wear what you want to.
As long as you don’t fling your sweat everywhere this is fine.
Holy frecking sh*t, the conservative puritan lobby is indeed working huh?
I can’t imagine this even being a discussion 10 years ago, and now there are people in a feminist subreddit actually arguing against wearing activewear in public.
“You should come with me to fight people catcalling, rather than being the same kind of judgemental dick that they are.”
I live in Florida and just went shopping in a bikini top and shorts cause I just came from the beach so all the modesty comments are making me laugh. If you are comfortable then do it.
I live near the beach, half the people at my grocery store on the weekend are in bathing suits. This is nothing
This is just slightly shorter than a crop top. Shouldnât be an issue.
Come to a rural part of the US at night and walk into a Walmart and you’ll see people wearing dirty pajamas and slippers. This is fine. If you’re comfy, go for it.
I think it might get weird looks. I would have done at least a full tank top. But it’s not illegal so it depends on why you care if it’s “appropriate”
It’s clearly not the pigs sexualizing you that are the problem.
Emphatic /s
I personally wouldnât be comfortable in it but wouldnât bother me if someone else was. I probably would not even notice tbh.
That said, I live in Vegas so I regularly see some outlandish outfits / behavior.
Is it inappropriate? Nah.
Will it increase the likelyhood of you getting catcalled? Maybe.
Should you really care? Only if it might be unsafe for you depending on where you live.
There is nothing wrong with what you are wearing. Your brother can suck a lemon.
I think this is more of “When in Rome” scenario. Are the locals also showing their mid riifs? If you stick out, expect to get attention.
I think itâs a bit too revealing for my taste (and no, I wouldnât wear pjs to the shop either).
But you are not me, so do what you want.
People do not dress like this at my grocery store. Warm climate area but not near a beach.
You would get a second look from lots of people at our store, including probably me. But very few dirty looks.
Its totally fine. Your brother is 100% in the wrong.
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Well, even in some towns next to the beach they dont like people going in shops in little clothing.
I think it depends where you live.
For me it looks almost like a bikini, so yes, a bit inappropriate.
But as I said, depends on where you live.
Context is often key when it comes to clothing. Unless you’re in a beach town, I wouldn’t necessarily consider this appropriate. However, if the store doesn’t have a policy like “no shoes, no shirt, no service” then you do you I guess? If a guy waltzed into a store shirtless with the excuse that it’s too hot to where a shirt, I’d think he was bullshitting. Similar concept here.
>Then he’s like, “Well… I’m just saying, don’t be surprised if you get cat-called.”
You: Why do you think that? Are you saying that you would cat-call a random woman if she was wearing this? If so, you are the problem, not her outfit.
As someone from Vancouver who basically lives in activewear in the summer, I wouldnât personally go into stores in a sports bra unless I was on the boardwalk on a beach. Not because itâs going to âencourage catcallsâ but Iâd just feel underdressed. Same as if I went into a store barefootâI just wouldnât.
This summer I’ve noticed a big uptick in younger women of all body types going to the store in attire like this. As an older puffy lady I smile and appreciate that the next generation is pushing against the standards of what is “acceptable” for just living in your body on a hot day.
If I saw this I’d assume you’re doing a post workout grocery run. I see people in workout gear at grocery stores and coffee shops.
I literally would not blink an eye over this in TO, unless it was to see where you got that cute top from
>May I have some objective opinions? Is this an inappropriate fit for a grocery store?
The only objective opinion is if that specific store told you that you violated a dress code. Typically most stores require customers to have on shoes, shirt and pant/dress. Besides that it’s all personal preference. Your brother just being a modesty police.
In my personal opinion I wouldn’t be comfortable wearing that but that’s because I don’t feel comfortable with my body. So I just naturally prefer loser clothes.
I think you need to pay more attention to what your little brother is consuming online.
This is a bit too close to ‘no shirt, no shoes, no service’ for me.
But I don’t really care and most people wouldn’t either and you won’t be refused service likely.
I mean legally youâre covered. If youâre asking about social etiquette youâre essentially in a bra and booty shorts, so it will raise eyebrows.
Itâs not inappropriate but Iâve never actually seen something dressed like this at the grocery store.
People would probably give this a second look because it looks like youâre dressed for a run, not to go grocery shopping.
I would not wear this in public outside of the gym or other exercise setting. But, I wouldn’t think that you should be kicked out of the grocery store.
Ask your brother why he’s checking you out
Iâd be less comfortable around your brother than going to the store if I were you
It’s fucking hot out, wear whatever you need to to survive.
The only thing wrong with the fit is them shoes
I would also give this a second look if it was cold out. But people here start pulling out their shorts and sandals as soon as it’s above freezing. The only thought I’d have seeing this would be “nice abs”, and then I’d go on with my shopping.
My only issue is how frigging cold the freezer section will be. Other than that, I see zero problem with your outfit.
Im sorry your own family made you uncomfortable with what you are wearing! If I saw you out and about I would literally not even have a second thought about it. I see men and women wear similar or less on a daily basis and it’s totally normal where I am (BC), espeically when it’s hot out.
The only time I would think it a bit odd would be if I saw a coworker wearing something like that to work at our office đ and even then would just assume they were going to a class on break or something haha.
Itâs summer in the northern hemisphere, a cropped tank is summer attire.
A sports bra is a supportive, cropped tank, not strictly an undergarment.
Iâve been catcalled in business professional attire and Iâve had nights out with my ass out with no sexual harassment. The main difference is whether or not a gross man is around
Corner store? Fine. Grocery store? I wouldnât but I wouldnât think twice about it if you did. Nothingâs showing. Your brother is just showing you what kind of guy he is.
Totally appropriate at least for where I live. That said, I live in Vegas and pretty much everything is appropriate here!
If you’re comfortable in it, then go for it. If I saw someone dressed like that while grocery shopping I wouldn’t even notice unless it was snowing or something.
I work in a grocery store. I’ve seen more revealing stuff than that in the aisles and nobody cared.
Honestly I would judge someone for not wearing a shirt while doing errands
If you are comfortable in it, I don’t see why not.
I see people at the store with pajamas on, why not activewear
In an ideal world, that would be completely acceptable but realistically you have to know that men will stare, women will give you the stink eye, and the elderly will Pearl clutch. If the reactions of others donât bother you, by all means wear whatever you want. If you are concerned with that, throw a white tee or a tank top over the outfit and youâd be fine.
Pre – 2000s aka pre – internet shame it was entirely normal for people to wear their bikinis into the store on their way to/from the beach/pool. All this pearl clutching is getting old. The only reason you donât see it anymore is because pervs got camera phones and a bunch of loud losers realized they werenât gonna get their asses kicked by normal men if they started harassing women in public.
I live in Florida so⌠you should see what is worn in stores at the beach. Or in Walmart. Or not at the beach.
Anyway, I stop in the store on my way home from the gym/dance studio all the time. Iâm sweaty, might still have knee pads on, and my clothes may or may not match. Zero fucks given.
And so what if youâre catcalled? Youâll be catcalled no matter what you wear; that has no bearing on anything.
I’d say it’s not appropriate for the cold areas of the store like the eggs fridges… but you are young and from a cold climate so you probably have resilience.
Ask him: “Do you catcall women dressed like this? Do your friends?” Then shut up and see what he says.
There’s a reason why his mind jumps immediately to sexualizing and harassing women. But he doesn’t want you to be treated that way, so he tries to police your appearance.
That’s what sexist men always do – treat unrelated women like sex objects, and try to control and constrain their women.
You look great. It’s his problem or others’ problems, not yours.
Shorts are fine but top is a bit much.
Sorry your brother likes to blame women
It kinda sounds like your brother thought what you were wearing was hot lol
Iâm in LA women are dressed like this all the time everywhere⌠I think this hurt depends on where in the world you are?
I don’t think it’s a big deal.
Dude, I live in Soflo. It’s hot af. Everyone is wearing something like this to the store. It’s fine. If you’re comfy, that’s all that matters. Tell him to chill out. His insecurities are not your problem.
As long as you would feel comfortable, there’s nothing indecent about it. I work in a grocery store and this is not bizarre to see in the summer.
If you get catcalled or harassed, that’s on the harassed, not your choice of outfit ( I know you know this, just wanted it in print here in case anyone was confused)
I think it’s based on comfort levels. As long as your boobs and vagina are covered, I couldn’t care less.
If people can’t behave around you, that’s their problem.
Would not even have a second thought about it. I don’t care what you wear as long as you’re not filthy or bringing a dog inside.
Cat calling is never your fault, no matter what you wear. Your brother is making their bad behaviour your fault.
Itâs fine in a fee country where women are not oppressed. So depends where you areÂ
If I saw you at the store, I’d inwardly be jealous that you were comfortable enough with your own body to wear it. And then I’d promptly forget about you within two seconds lol. I live in the hot, humid southeast US though, so it’s not uncommon to see people wearing very little clothing to the store.
I don’t think it’s obscene, but, typically, shirts (as well as shoes) are normal attire for the grocery store.
It’s not the norm where I am, but if the store doesn’t have an issue with it, I certainly wouldn’t be bothered by your attire if I even noticed as another shopper.
From the Midwest and this would be normal to see with how hot itâs been out.
Itâs fine lol and these comments are a bit of a shock to me. I see ppl dressed this way where I live all the time (west coast US) and Iâm not even somewhere like LA, Iâm in a semi rural Oregon town.
I’m already paying zero attention to what anybody in the grocery store is doing normally, and when it’s like 5 billion degrees outside and 3800% humidity I care even less about what anybody else or I wear honestly
Active wear is appropriate for the grocery store, but this is different than a tee and leggings. I personally wouldnât feel comfortable with my stomach out and such short shorts outside of a gym or immediate beach area.
Honestly, outside of the gym, I wouldnât go just bra anywhere.
I have and would 100% wear a sports bra to a grocery store, but I usually pair it with high-waisted biker shorts or a skirt!! I even wear outfits like that to nicer restaurants and no one has said anything. đ¤Ł
I’m also in Toronto. It’s as hot as the sun this weekend. If I saw you wearing that at the store I would think to myself “I wish I was wearing that outfit, I bet she’s not feeling the heat as much as I am more covered up”. People wear athletic wear here all the time, especially in the summer. I wouldn’t give it a second thought. And also, I find cat calling is a pretty rare thing here so a bit of a weird comment from your brother.
As someone from Ottawa who has run into various stores wearing something similar on my way to/from the gym (and it most likely much much older than you are), fuck the haters. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, the only thing that matters is that you’re wearing a top and shoes (because the sign on the door says those aren’t optional).
Have I gotten looks? Yes. Have I had creepy old men talk to me asking if I’m on my way to work out? Yes. Do I gaf? Nope.
Torontonian here, sweaty and exhausted – I’m shocked that people think this is inappropriate, I wouldn’t look twice at you and my first thought was, that’s a cute summer outfit.
It’s perfectly appropriate. And, you look cool, so it works!
In Phoenix, AZ no one would even care. Plus you should be able to wear whatever you want.
I saw someone wearing similar (maybe minus the pack? I mostly just remember them in a sports bra/bandeau/small cropped top) recently at the grocery store. Memorable mostly because it was less coverage than others, but I didn’t think it was ‘inappropriate’ or anything like that. This was in OttawaÂ
if you’re comfortable, then there’s nothing wrong with this outfit
Wrists and ankles in the year of our Lord, 2025? Heavens to Betsy!
I love in a college town in central coast, CA. This would be completely normal here.Â
I think whether youâll get unwanted attention and comments depends on the city. People from beach towns have already commented, but some cities are just dressier (Houston) and some arenât (Austin). People should mind their business, though.
This is a perfectly normal outfit in Toronto these days. And itâs like 40 degrees out! Iâm literally on the streetcar right now and there are a handful of girls just down from me wearing bike shorts and sport bras/bathing suit tops/etc.
Do you risk unwanted attention from men? Sure. But you also risk that wearing a parka in the dead of winter soâŚ
I think it’s fine? But I live in rural NY, it’s been hotter than Satan’s butthole, and people wear pajamas to Wal mart so I might be uncouth I guess. I wouldn’t do a double take unless I wanted to contemplate how much exercise I’d need to do to be able to wear that in public.
I wouldnt mind and probably wouldnt even notice. You do you
I think if I saw someone wearing that I would think they must have just been on a run. I myself would probably put a t-shirt on.
I might be a little judgy if I saw someone at the store like this but I think it would honestly come from a place of envy and wishing I had the confidence to go out like that. So, idk yeah some people might think itâs inappropriate but oh well.
I dont see a problem tbh. im in california and you see people wearing less than that in the summer lol
Youâre covered. Your body is your business.
Where is OP?
i grew up in a beach town where everyone regular is wearing these outfits no matter the body type, even the elderly ladies! people can fuck off with their puritanical BS. wear what feels comfortable! though if the establishment tells you that you need a shirt, just listen. in my area the shirt rule really just applies to shirtless men, sport bras and bikinis are considered a shirt/top.
Wouldnât bother me if I saw somebody wearing it. As a fat old fart, I wish I could.
You’re good girly
Eww at your brother.
I (37) wouldnât think twice if I saw someone in that.
Everythingâs covered it should be fine.
In summer? I wouldn’t look twice at you if i passed you in the street. In winter, you might get some reactions. But it does not look innapropriate.
The fact this is tagged NSFW lmao
Half of the comments are giving off some weird vibes. Thatâs the most normal looking outfit ever for 25C+ weather. Itâs like a typical summer festival outfit too
I think itâs fine but I live near the coast. I wouldnât wear it because I would freeze my arse off in the fridge/ freezer section, but you do you
If it were me, I would throw on a tshirt over that before going to the store, but if I saw someone else wearing exactly what you have on, it wouldnât phase me. Granted I grew up in south Florida where a string bikini is appropriate for the grocery store. I live in the Midwest now and youâd definitely get some judgy looks wearing that to run errands around here.
It’s always male family members with most opinions on outfits./s
It covers everything a swimsuit would cover(and more tbh) so I think it’s appropriate to wear out of the house if you’re comfy in it. I’m in South Texas and the weather is regularly 95+ F and a lot of people dress in some variation of shorts and a shirt. I see outfits like this really often. If you really wanted to you could incorporate an over thing of some kind, but you don’t have to. But why does your bro think that this outfit makes men entitled to catcall you? Like I’d be surprised if someone catcalled me regardless of what I’m wearing because it’s rude and inappropriate.
You are fine in that fit. If you are comfortable, rock it!  If you want an easy add⌠tank top. I wear a lot of athletic gear and tank tops take it from gym gear to errand gear.Â
People will have opinions, but are the people you want to connect with in the group of people who will have opinions? Thatâs a personal call.Â
Please let your brother know that there is almost no way to dress in which women do not get cat called but thanks anyway for his concern. Â PS in a non snark filled way this might be a chance to actually engage in a conversation with him to dig deeper, because his comment is very surface level.Â
Toronto is great and afaik no reason to not let your personal style and brand fly high⌠including âI am comfortable and this is practical for me!â
Edit: sentence complexity
In my town, people wear what they want and nobody bats an eye. You could wear this all day long everywhere and youâd never catch any flak.
But I live in a funky tourist town known for artsy, independent folks.
In the conservative town I grew up in a couple of hours away, youâd get the stink eye.
I think it depends on where you live.
This is regular wear in Australia. No one even thinks about it.
Also tell your brother to ask himself why he feels the need to worry about how youre dressed.
And if blaming you for your clothes rather than how powerless he feels in the situation a man makes your clothes a problem feels like the right thing to do.