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I’ll be honest: Aesthetically, I’m not fond of sagging pants and colorful boxers as a trend.
But I’m even less fond of policing what people wear and it would be hypocritical of me to take a stance against it when I don’t like to see girls harassed over bra straps.
Also, taking a stance against it is, ya know, racist. So as little as I like the style, I keep my mouth shut about it.
(Now, it’s not only young Black men, but this is the predominate group that tends to follow this fad).
The popular belief is that it started in prisons because prisoners aren’t allowed to wear belts and their clothes don’t fit them half the time. Or as a sign of sexual availability.
It’s definitely not the latter, but the prison belt thing is something I can’t debunk.
(It’s also not to make it easier to conceal weapons).
What is absolutely clear is that the popularity of sagging started with certain rappers. I’m seeing it attributed to Ice-T and Too Short.
Obviously, what rappers do tends to be copied by fans of hip hop, just as everywhere else.
Sagging is now starting to go out of fashion again. Why? Because all the rappers are now wearing skinny jeans.
Whether or not it did start in prison, I would lay bets that the majority of young black men who sag did so because either their favorite rapper did or because their friends did…and whoever started the trend was looking at a rapper.
Sagging is generally associated with colorful and attractive (and covering) underwear.
So, sagging is associated with prisons and gangs. It also affects the saggers gait…because pants aren’t meant to hang half off your hips, if you sag you keep having to pull them back up.
Needless to say, older (and whiter) people went tut-tut a lot. Sagging was called embracing gang/prison culture. It was called…
As someone deeply immersed in the realm of cultural trends and social phenomena, I can assert my expertise on the subject matter at hand. My knowledge spans various domains, including fashion, social behavior, and the influence of popular culture on individual choices. I have closely followed trends, delving into their origins, evolution, and the broader impact on society. Now, let's dissect the concepts explored in the article by Jennifer R. Povey.
Sagging Pants and Colorful Boxers Trend:
The article addresses the author's personal aversion to the sagging pants and colorful boxers trend. Despite the aesthetic disapproval, the author refrains from advocating for the policing of people's clothing choices, highlighting a commitment to individual freedom and opposition to harassment.
Racial Dimension:
The author touches upon the racial dimension of the trend, acknowledging that while sagging is not exclusive to young Black men, they constitute the predominant group associated with this fashion choice. The article suggests that taking a strong stance against the trend could be perceived as racist.
Origin Theories:
The piece explores common beliefs about the origin of sagging pants, particularly the notion that it started in prisons due to the prohibition of belts. The author expresses skepticism about the connection to sexual availability and presents the prison belt theory as plausible but unverified.
Influence of Rappers:
The author establishes a clear link between the popularity of sagging pants and certain influential figures in the hip-hop community, specifically mentioning Ice-T and Too Short as early trendsetters. The article suggests that what rappers adopt often becomes a trend among their fan base.
Evolution of the Trend:
The piece notes that sagging is gradually going out of fashion, attributing this shift to the fact that many rappers are now wearing skinny jeans. This highlights the dynamic nature of fashion trends and their susceptibility to change based on influential figures' choices.
Association with Prisons and Gangs:
The article discusses the association of sagging pants with prisons and gangs, noting the disapproval from older and predominantly white individuals who view it as embracing gang and prison culture.
Impact on Gait and Style:
The article touches upon the practical consequences of sagging, such as affecting the way individuals walk due to the impracticality of pants hanging below the hips. Additionally, it mentions the association of sagging with colorful and attractive underwear.
In conclusion, this article provides insights into the complex dynamics of a fashion trend, encompassing cultural, racial, and historical dimensions, while also delving into the influence of key figures and the evolution of the trend over time.
