Gabrielle was told her shorts were inappropriate. Photo / Facebook
Gabrielle was told her shorts were inappropriate. Photo / Facebook
A teenage girl was left feeling "embarrassed" after claiming she was kicked out of a shopping centre by security guards who harassed her for what she was wearing.
Gabrielle Gibson shared a photo of the outfit that allegedly resulted in her being kicked out of Bel Air shopping centre in Alabama.
"I was literally harassed and kicked out of the Bel Air mall in Mobile, AL today because of what I'm wearing," she wrote.
"Apparently grown men couldn't contain themselves so I get kicked out."
The photo shows the 19-year-old wearing a colourful long-sleeved top and denim shorts, which the centre's security guards claimed was inappropriate.
She said the guards were "rude and completely unprofessional" adding that one of them made her uncomfortable by staring at her body.
"I told them I have bigger thighs and it's just to hot for jeans that I can't help they ride up a bit. It doesn't bother me then it shouldn't bother you," Gabrielle wrote.
The temperature was over 35C and she said that even though everyone else was also wearing shorts she was the only one targeted.
"I don't know why I was pinpointed. I'm just disgusted with the behaviour of all these people," she said.
"This whole incident has made me embarrassed."
The post has since been shared nearly 3000 times and the majority of commenters were struggling to figure out what was inappropriate about her Gabrielle's outfit.
She shared her experience on Facebook. Photo / Facebook
"People wear stuff like this all of the time. There is nothing out of the ordinary about this outfit," one person said.
"Don't let anyone body shame you. If that guy couldn't control his self [sic] then he needs to escorted out the damn mall," another wrote.
One person even pointed out that it's ridiculous you can purchase clothes almost exactly like that in the shopping centre but get kicked out for actually wearing them.
However, there were a few people who thought the security guards were right to kick her out.
"Short shorts are completely fine, until your butt cheek pops out. There are families at the mall. Some parents don't want to subject their children to this. Just be respectful of others. No one said you couldn't wear shorts, just keep your butt covered," one person wrote.
Another added that it is no different to guys getting kicked out for having sagging pants.
The shopping centre later released a statement to WKRG-TV standing by their decision.
"Given the high degree of importance we place on maintaining a family-friendly shopping environment, our policy requires all of our customers to dress in a manner that reflects our code of conduct," the statement said.
"Anyone who violates this policy will be asked to change or to leave the premises."
