Since when are the opposite sex allowed in non co-ed fitting rooms?

[FINFAN]

O.K. I was bugged by this when DD was Prom dress shopping...our department stores are CARSON'S, PENNY'S, MACY'S, NORDSTROM...and in each and EVERY fitting room DD went in there was the BF of whatever girl, husband of whomever...in the FITTING ROOM sitting in a chair or on the floor...what's going on?!?!?!??!!?
DD and I were so uncomfortable that we told each store and bought her dress at a boutique that specifically did not allow anyone but the attendants into the fitting room area/hall.
I know Target has unisex fitting rooms now, but department stores? DD was mortified!
I had not bothered to post it becasue I thought, ok , prom season, but the other day I saw a guy in there while his GF was trying on bathing suits! So I guess my complaints fell on deaf ears...anyone else run into this? And where are the manners on these guys? Do females go into the mens fitting rooms? Even when DS was little I made him come out to ME to show the clothes...I did not go in, or I bought and returned if it did not work out...I just do not like this trend AT ALL!


Pam

 

[tchrrx]

I agree! My DH frequently shops with DD & I. However, he always waits outside the fitting rooms. I don't like shopping at places that have co-ed fitting rooms. On the other hand, DD & I did try on clothes in the Dillard's men's fitting rooms the other day. But, our family was trying to get coordinating outfits for pictures & the men's dept was the last stop. The salesperson there was very helpful & said her dept was not busy at all, so we could just use the fitting rooms there. If any men had been needing it, we definitely would've went to a different dept.

 

[ilisao]

I guess I don't see the problem. I mean, it's not like Loehmann's where there is just one communal room to change in (not that men were allowed in the woman's room). You are still changing in the individual stall. The men aren't watching you change. If it is such a problem for a strange man to see you or your daughter in clothes that you may or may not buy, then step into the stall with her.

 

[Planogirl]

I guess I don't see the problem. I mean, it's not like Loehmann's where there is just one communal room to change in (not that men were allowed in the woman's room). You are still changing in the individual stall. The men aren't watching you change. If it is such a problem for a strange man to see you or your daughter in clothes that you may or may not buy, then step into the stall with her.

Some fitting rooms have poorly fitted doors and flimsy stalls. I see a lot of problem with men being in those areas. I agree that those that have actual closed off stalls are no big deal though.

My question is why in the world do women want to drag their boyfriends/husbands/whatever with them to shop for clothing? DH would drive me crazy.

 

[happygirl]

they are like that here. I don't see a problem are you worried that men are going to see you in clothes you havn't bought yet

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I would think that it would be uncomfortable coming out with clothes not fully on. Sometimes there are moms & daughters, or younger girls w/friends, and they may not want to fully put on an outfit before getting an opinion. Having the opposite sex there makes this harder to do.

 

[CarolAnnC]

My DD was trying on clothing one time at JC Penney. The problem is, these department store fitting rooms seem to no longer have attendants, you just go in yourself. Anyway, a girl went in with a creepy looking boyfriend, and I followed in and told him he had to leave since it was a "Ladies" Fitting Room and he was not a lady. He left and waited outside.

In stores where they have unisex fitting rooms, there are usually regular doors to close without flimsy curtains or peep in areas. That is fine and I also notice those stores seem to have fitting room attendants present too.

 

[Mayl]

I don't see what the problem is...

You don't see a thing in there anyway. We have them in a few stores near us and it is actually nice to go there with DH and we can see how stuff looks without heading out to the sales floor.

Again, you don't see a thing.

 

[sha_lyn]

I don't see what the problem is...

You don't see a thing in there anyway. We have them in a few stores near us and it is actually nice to go there with DH and we can see how stuff looks without heading out to the sales floor.

Again, you don't see a thing.

Did you bother to read any of the posts before you replied?

Some fitting rooms have poorly fitted doors and flimsy stalls. I see a lot of problem with men being in those areas. I agree that those that have actual closed off stalls are no big deal though

I would think that it would be uncomfortable coming out with clothes not fully on. Sometimes there are moms & daughters, or younger girls w/friends, and they may not want to fully put on an outfit before getting an opinion. Having the opposite sex there makes this harder to do.

 

[Kimberly]

In stores like Fredericks or Victoria's Secret... nothing bothers me more. Men shouldn't be allowed in the changing room area. There are tons of mirrors in the dressing rooms at both those stores... if you want to know your b/f's opion, take a picture with your cell phone and send it to him. He might actually enjoy it more!

Last time I was in VS I opened the dressing room drawer basically when I was wearing lingerie, and in the background I saw a 50 year old man staring me down! Your DD definitely has the right to be mortified. Did you say anything to a salesperson or the manager?

 

[npmommie]

what about those stores with fitting rooms right in the middle of the store, not even separate area? eddie bauer comes to mind at the mall, the fitting rooms are along one wall, if you want to show someone what you are trying on, you need to come right out into the store, or have them come in the room with you, but it does have a full door.

 

[bicker]

I figure that stores "like that" are for people for whom "that" isn't a problem. The store is communicating, whether they intended to or not, the kind of people they are aiming at. Being a guy (who generally doesn't care what other people think about his body, and thinks that if people don't want to see something that they shouldn't be looking ) I probably won't have a problem with co-ed dressing rooms, but I do know that, parallel to this, I don't shop at Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, or Hollister Co., because of the abusively loud music they play.

 

[tchrrx]

It's not just what might be seen.....

You never know what a teen girl & her boyfriend who feels the need to go into the dressing room with her will be saying/doing. I don't particularly want my DD to overhear anything either!

 

[Mayl]

Did you bother to read any of the posts before you replied?

I read the posts and I was talking the changing rooms that I have been in that have been co-ed.

Since I know about those, I commented on those types.

In those stores, they changing rooms are fine.

Store changing rooms are not locker rooms and if you treat them like it, you are going to be in for a shock or two 

So from my experience with co-ed ones, there is no problem.

 

[Pin Wizard]

It happened with us at JC Penney, only it was my son in the fitting room and another kid's mom in there. I wanted to yank her out. Geez! She also ran back and forth taking the kid whatever other sizes to try on. I'd never set foot in a men's fitting room. I was shocked when I saw it. What disregard for other people.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I personally don't have any problem with coed fitting rooms. Even our local walmarts have coed fitting rooms, all of the fitting rooms are just a group of stalls with with pretty much full doors through out the store. Like PP said, how about those stores that have the fitting rooms right out in the store? Our Aeropostale & American Eagle both have fitting rooms like this - as soon as you open the door you are in the middle of the store, doesn't bother me.

 

[bicker]

I don't particularly want my DD to overhear anything either!

Which may be why Abercrombie & Fitch, Aeropostale, and Hollister Co., play music so loud!

 

[Kathi OD]

I guess I don't see the problem. I mean, it's not like Loehmann's where there is just one communal room to change in (not that men were allowed in the woman's room). You are still changing in the individual stall. The men aren't watching you change. If it is such a problem for a strange man to see you or your daughter in clothes that you may or may not buy, then step into the stall with her.

Some fitting rooms have poorly fitted doors and flimsy stalls. I see a lot of problem with men being in those areas. I agree that those that have actual closed off stalls are no big deal though.

My question is why in the world do women want to drag their boyfriends/husbands/whatever with them to shop for clothing? DH would drive me crazy.

It's just not that the doors don't always close properly, but many of those fitting room stalls barely hold one person, let alone two.

And what if I'm trying on bras? No way anyone I know is going to be comfortable w/ strange men in the dressing room area when I'm doing that.

Let's be honest, co-ed dressing rooms were established by stores so that they could increase sales floor space or eliminate a couple of attendants. It wasn't done for the comfort of the customer, that's for sure.

 

[Par8hed]

And what if I'm trying on bras? No way anyone I know is going to be comfortable w/ strange men in the dressing room area when I'm doing that.

If you're in the stall, what difference does it make whether you are trying on pants, skirts, bras, whatever????

 

[Par8hed]

In stores like Fredericks or Victoria's Secret... nothing bothers me more. Men shouldn't be allowed in the changing room area.

I can understand where modeling lingerie would be uncomfortable. But I believe the thread is more aimed at traditional stores and "outerwear".

In which case I see no issue in co-ed changing rooms. Heck, co-ed bathrooms are becoming more and more common.