Hawera Cinemas stopped an "increasing trend" before it took off after reminding moviegoers not to wear pyjamas, onesies or gumboots to its movie screenings.
The cinema based on the North Island posted a message on Facebook claiming it had noticed an increasing number of patrons choosing to wear the items to the movies.
"Just a friendly reminder that we have a dress code at Hawera Cinemas, it's simple really, as long as you are appropriately dressed and are wearing clean footwear you are good to go," the post from 20 April read.
"Please no pyjamas, onesies, dressing gowns or dirty gumboots - no matter how cute they are!"
The post sparked debate among customers with the majority applauding the cinema for upholding a dress code.
"Think all the shops in town should take your lead and share this post! Well done," one Facebook user commented.
While other Facebook users did not take kindly to being told what to wear.
"I'm not wearing pjs in public girl but I don't see how others wearing pjs out affects anyone else so I can't see the reason for this rule," another person wrote.
Hawera Cinema sparked a dress code debate on Facebook. Source: Facebook: Hawera Cinema 2
Hawera Cinema sparked a dress code debate on Facebook. Source: Facebook: Hawera Cinema 2
Hawera Cinemas wrote it was not attempting to be the fashion police but: "Onesies and dressing gowns just aren't the vibe that our cinema is about".
Hawera is a small town in the Taranaki region of New Zealand with a population of 12,000 people.
