Okay you out there in Readerland, you may now call me ‘Don, Don, the fashion mon.? Or Don, Fashion Nazi — your call (and sorry for the phonetics up there). But, who woulda thunk when I asked, ‘Moms, Dads you know yoga pants put on display for the entire world to see, the shape and every contour of your daughter’s undercarriage — front and back — don’t you?? that all fashion hell would break loose?
Well, some did. And, lots responded. To those who have called me a creepy, old guy, I respectfully ask you to re-read what I wrote, not between the lines.
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Thank you Don! I am so sick of all these young girls running around in these overly revealing pants! They are not meant to be worn as they are now. Even as a 19-year-old female, I am disturbed by this so called fashion! I really enjoyed the reference of if they wore the same things on their tops. Now if only parents would understand what a big issue this is! Thank you, Taylor B.
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Don, simply put, you cannot change fashion. Are yoga pants the only trend in fashion you’ve ever disagreed with? I certainly hope not. Also, I think you’ve found the wrong side to the pants. Many women/girls DO wear them with something covering their ‘blankity-blanks? or are using them for their real purpose of yoga, and not for everyday wear. I respect your viewpoint, from the eyes of a dad, but who are you to try to change the trend? Many girls today say they wear leggings not to express their hips, but because they’re comfortable. Did that come to mind? Maybe the girls aren’t trying to persuade men, or whoever the targets to their bodies are, but rather putting themselves first and wear them for comfort concerns. Brock S
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Please quit your job — Jacob V up at MSU
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I agree whole heartily with you on yoga pants showing off girls fronts & backs of their hoo-haw area. If parents give you any flak on your comments ask them to ask their daughters what the slang is for when their yoga pants are too tight in front. I’d be willing to bet most teen girls know what it means. And if the parents then think this is ok for their daughters, well society has & keeps going down hill at a faster rate than inflation. I’m sorry for any parent who thinks it’s up to the person viewing their daughters hoo-haw to look away or not have ‘thoughts.? Grow up & get a pair-put a suggestive picture in front of your grandfather & see if HIS thoughts remain pure. Susan C.
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At first, when I read the headline, I was hoping for the best. I was hoping someone would contribute a well thought out column on how yoga pants should not be a big deal in schools and in Clarkston, in general. I was utterly disappointed. This column was nothing but absolute trash. I am infuriated people still actually believe clothing someone chooses to wear is the problem here. What I got out of your column was these young girls, and their parents, are the ones to blame for the creepy man stares. How is this even correct? Do you pay attention to feminist news at all?! Actually, news in general? I was really hoping Clarkston would be up to speed with basic issues our women face today, but I am completely wrong. Clothing is never the issue. It’s ‘creepy? men who are deciding to make a piece of clothing something it is not. But it’s okay because the creepy men don’t know any better, right? Wrong. I truly hope you will come to your senses because this is absolutely terrible. This column made me ashamed I am from Clarkston. I did not believe there were idiots who would still blame 12-year-old girls for getting looks from men in this town. I was definitely wrong. Please inform yourself of the times because men like you are the ones to blame. — Shelby H
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And, from another mom . . . Schools banning yoga pants is not surprising. Nor is it suppressing anyone. For all the parents who think it’s acceptable, there are an equal number saying they disagree. Schools have no choice but to try to make the best of a less than ideal situation.
At the end of the day, yoga pants are still workout attire. Banning them is essentially no worse than saying you can’t wear a bikini or Speedo to class. Sure, some kids are comfortable in them, but it doesn’t make it right. Swim wear belongs at the beach or pool. Not in the classroom. Being comfortable in something doesn’t mean it’s appropriate.
Dress codes have existed forever, and they have to constantly change with the changes in fashion. When I was in school, I had to wear shorts that reached my knee. They were nearly impossible to find, and I hated them. But I sucked it up, and wore them, and changed into something else when I got home. Every job I’ve ever had, had a dress code. Did it always match what I WANTED to wear? No. But it wasn’t up to me. Schools and businesses make the rules, and we can either choose to deal with it when we’re there, or go somewhere else.
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And finally from Todd W, ‘as a father of three daughters… I agree.?
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Oh, there is more, believe me . . . there is more to be said, like: ‘Guys, pull your pants up to the waist.?