After an Instagram influencer attempted to enter the world-famous Louvre Museum wearing a “risqué” outfit, she got slammed by critics. The Australian model tried to justify her fashion choice, but that didn’t end well.
Newsha Syeh, an Australian social media influencer, landed in hot water after showing up at the Louvre Museum in Paris wearing what has been described as a “risqué” dress. The world-famous Louvre houses numerous great works of art, such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
Syeh showed up to enter the museum wearing an extremely low-cut black dress that stopped just below her buttocks and continued down to her ankles with sheer black material in unique patterns. The Australian native posted photos of her revealing garment on social media, stating, “Picasso would have loved my outfit.”
Newsha Syeh shared her experience attempting to enter the Louvre while wearing the low-cut black sheer dress on Instagram. “Yesterday at the Louvre, I was stopped at the entrance by a guard for my outfit,” she wrote. “He made the most disgusted and horrible gestures and facial expressions, swore at me to cover up, with hate-filled eyes stopped me entering.”
Syeh expressed her disappointment upon being denied entry, saying she was “heartbroken.” She also included a screenshot of her Google search to see if the museum had a dress code. Syeh found an unofficial review that said, “There is no Louvre dress code, you can wear for visiting the Louvre what you want. Just have in mind that you are going to walk A LOT. Bring comfortable shoes. Dress in layers, like an onion.”
However, seasoned travellers to Europe understand that what you wear to visit cathedrals, cultural institutions, and museums can be highly scrutinized by the locals. One travel website posted: “While the Louvre does not impose a strict dress code, it highly encourages visitors to dress in a manner that befits the cultural significance and artistic grandeur of the museum.”
Many social media users reacted negatively to the influencer’s behaviour. One detractor commented, “You are so pathetic for even raising this issue as if you are a victim. Grow up and put on a shirt, not a swimming costume to visit museums. You are an embarrassment to Australia not only for what you are wearing but for playing the victim over something so trivial.”
Another posted, “I would have stopped you as well…have some respect lady!!!” While one critic wrote, “Good for the security guard! I’m tired of these social media types (I take it that is what an ‘influencer’ is!) doing whatever they can think of to draw the most attention to themselves! Yes, that’s just the outfit you’d choose to go sightseeing (eye roll).”
Another netizen recalled her own experience, claiming, “When I visited The Louvre with my sister a few years ago we wore winter clothes with boots and we got denied entry by security for being ‘Underdressed.'” One tourist shared guidelines from her extensive experience visiting the iconic museum. “First and foremost, it is imperative to dress respectfully when exploring the Louvre. This means opting for attire that reflects the solemnity and reverence of the museum’s rich cultural heritage,” they wrote.
They added: “While you are not expected to wear formal or traditional clothing, it is essential to choose garments that convey a sense of decorum and appreciation. By doing so, you not only show respect for the art and history that surrounds you but also contribute to the overall ambience of the museum.”
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris, containing some of the most famous pieces of art in the world. A central landmark of the city, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine. The vastness of the museum means it would reportedly take one hundred days to look at every piece of art for thirty seconds, so visitors are advised to wear comfortable clothing. While the museum’s website does not specify a dress code, section 1, article 2 of its visitor regulations states that it is prohibited to “wear swimsuits, or be naked, bare-chested or barefoot.'”
