Several us cities (and states) have proposed fines and even jail-time for people who wear the 'saggy pants' style of clothing (low hanging pants with boxer shorts showing).

Allegedly, the trend is out of prison which some legislators have cited as a reason to ban the fashion. Another common gripe is that the "buttocks" are shown. I have never seen a butt cheek because the fashion covers the butts with the boxer shorts.

My opinion is that it is a waste of time and resources. So many teenagers/young adults adhere to the style that, in order to be successfully enforced against, more police would be needed.

Whats your thoughts?

Citation: The Associated Press: Atlanta Baggy-Pants Ban Debate Drags On

Article:

Atlanta Baggy-Pants Ban Debate Drags On

By GREG BLUESTEIN – Aug 28, 2007

ATLANTA (AP) — Striped underpants peeked out of 19-year-old Jae Cripe's outfit as she took a stand Tuesday at an Atlanta City Council meeting next to a sign that proclaimed: "Clothes are not a crime."

Across the crowded room, 76-year-old James Allen was making his own statement, talking about the start of a "belt brigade" that could one day patrol the streets to urge kids to pull up their baggy pants.

It was a snapshot of the brewing debate in Atlanta over a measure that would outlaw baggy pants that show boxer shorts or thongs. Offenders would risk a civil penalty — likely a fine — but no jail time, said the proposal's sponsor, councilman C.T. Martin.

"We cannot continue to allow our community standards to go astray, and not stand up," he said.

Critics have claimed the measure is a new form of racial profiling that would allow police to target young black males who wear their pants far below the beltline.

"These are the hope of the future of young black men. They look at you as role models," resident Kim Bryant told the panel. "Yet you'd be willing to put them in jail because they didn't wear a belt."

But if Tuesday's hearing was any indication, the divide appears to center on age, not race. The bill's sponsors are black council members, and most of the supporters who spoke were aging residents who peppered their speeches with anecdotes of the civil rights movement.

"I don't think we're doing our ancestors due justice for some of the things we are doing today. It's time for us to push back," said Lonnie King, an Atlanta resident. "We cannot afford to let young people decide what's best for our community. Young people have a lot of good ideas, but we cannot allow them to denigrate our society."

The critics, including Cripe, a white woman who stood silently in the back of the room with her striped underwear on display, tended to be younger.

"It should be my personal choice what to wear," said Jimmy Person, 34. "Maybe young people should be more tasteful. But let young people decide for themselves."

R.E. Williams, a veteran Atlanta police officer, said he views the saggy pants trend as a measure of sorts because "the lower the pants are, the lower the self-esteem."

"It's a downright disgrace to walk into a classroom with your pants around your ankles," he said. "We need to let them know they are somebody — that they can rise above the occasion."

Atlanta would not be the first city to ban saggy pants. Earlier this year, the town council in Delcambre, La., passed an ordinance that carries a fine as high as $500 or six months in jail for exposing underwear in public. Several other Louisiana governments have followed suit in recent months.

A similar proposal in Stratford, Conn., was soundly rejected this week by officials after critics claimed it would be unconstitutional and unfairly target minorities.

The Atlanta measure will likely face another hearing before it comes to a vote, and some sponsors say it is already starting a debate that's long overdue in the city's schools, community centers and churches.

"If nothing else, it's a great part of a conversation we need to have," said council member Joyce Sheperd.

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There was/is a thread on this, in a different subforum, though: jeans

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Other than it looks absolutely ridiculous...banning it would be equally ridiculous.
I don't think you can legislate good taste...or even average taste..or hell legislate out horrible taste.

I wish I had a picture of this kid I saw at the Taste in Chicago...he was probably 6'3" or so...he had HUGE baggy pants on, that were so low that it looked similar as to what you would see when walking by a restroom stall.
He had on a t-shirt that was very long.
He looked so funny! With the t-shirt and low pants - it looked like he had a 6' upper body with 3" long legs!
I remember the kid reached into his pants to get money out of his pocket, he had to pull up pants to get to his pocket because he was quite obese so he couldn't reach them.
We laughed our asses off.

VA considered a law like this a couple yeas ago and dropped it, I believe partly due to national ridicule. The state becomes the real fashion police? I sincerely hope the police have better things to attend to. Yes, it looks ridiculous; so let them look silly for the amusement of the rest of us.

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