She wore a dress like this to the cricket. Here's what happened next...

Last week, the solicitor and mum-of-two – 35-year-old Sydney woman Lynda Reid – was waiting to enter the Member’s Stand of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on day two of the Sydney test, when she was told she would not be allowed entry to the ground on account of what she was wearing.

At the time, officials told Reid that the length of the floral dress she was wearing was “inappropriate”. Specifically, they said the hemline of the dress was too short and did not adhere to dress standards set by the Club.

Reid, who has been a member of the Sydney Cricket Ground for 25 years, was appalled by this decision and has since asked for her membership to be cancelled.

And today she has shared her story with the media.

”I am a corporate solicitor,” Reid told Fairfax media. ”I know what is appropriate and not. I am not some hick from wherever.”

Reid said she has checked the SCG Members’ dress code the night before and was confident that her outfit complied with the standards.

The story has since been a hot topic for news outlets and morning shows around Australia, with everyone asking whether the cricket ground was justified in asking Reid to leave.

There’s been discussion about whether the decision was sexist and whether the officials were discriminating against Reid (and women cricket loves generally) when they asked her to leave the ground.

Why Lynda’s dress was deemed inappropriate for SCG Members: http://t.co/oj7UpYFcgV

— smh.com.au (@smh) January 7, 2014

Now what I’m about to say might be deemed as unpopular opinion but I’m actually fine with the decision that was made by the SCG. I think that what Reid is wearing is gorgeous but the SCG Members is a 136-year-old club that’s steeped in traditions, one of which is a strict dress code for both women AND men.

According to the code, men must wear a collared shirt at all times, they’re not allowed to wear thongs (or Crocs!) and board shorts or denim shorts are a definite no no. Their shoes must be cleaned, tracksuit pants are most definitely against the rules and they’re only allowed to wear jerseys if they’re representative of the teams playing (and they have a collar, of course). In some areas of the stand, shorts aren’t allowed at all.

Similarly, women have to abide by a code. According to the website, which also includes helpful pictures of what does and does not adhere to the code, the acceptable list includes:

Dresses, skirts or dress slacks worn with modest blouse or top; shorts, skirts and dresses should be of a respectable length; dresses, blouses and t-shirts may be sleeveless; dress or tailored shorts should be of a respectable length; enclosed shoes, sandals or leather footwear; sneakers are permitted provided they are clean and in good condition.

And on the unacceptable list:

No brief or revealing tops including; strapless, halter neck or those that show bare midriff; dresses, shorts or skirts which are mini length; board shorts, hawaiian style shorts or brief shorts (i.e. football or athletic shorts); leggings or track pants; ragged, tattered, unclean or torn clothing (even if ‘designer’ tears); clothing with racist, offensive or obscene messages; bathers, bikini tops or similar beach attire; rubber thongs, dilapidated shoes, gumboots, crocs, moccasins, ugg boots or slippers.

Side note – did anyone else just realise that the model in image number two is totally Anna from The Bachelor?! YES IT IS, YES IT IS.

Anyway, back to the matter at hand.

This is not about slut shaming or judging what Lynda Reid is wearing because I think we can all agree that Reid looks lovely. The question here is whether an organisation has the right to tell someone what they can and can’t wear. And given that dress codes are for men and women in the SCG Members stand – they’re not sexist in anyway but about respect and tradition – I think they can.

People wait years (sometimes up to two decades) to become members of the Sydney Cricket Club and the Melbourne Cricket Club. And, just like some pubs, schools, golf clubs and any workplace with a uniform, there are known dress rules and regulations that come with that affiliation.

To be a member, you’ve to play by the rules. Because if you don’t?

There are a few thousand on a list who are very keen to take your place.

Do you think it was fair that Reid was asked to leave? Do you think dress codes should be banned?