Not Kool! Time to Pull It Together
Sagging pants and pajama fashion in public—it’s quickly becoming a style epidemic. Whether you’re heading to Walmart, Macy’s, or just strolling down the block, it’s not uncommon to see teens (and even some adults) showing off sagging jeans or stepping out in full pajama sets. Comfy? Maybe. Appropriate for public? Absolutely not.
Being relaxed doesn’t have to mean looking sloppy. It’s time for a style check—and a reality check.
Public Pajamas: Fashion Faux Pas
Wearing pajamas is great—for sleepovers, lazy weekends, or lounging on your patio. But making a trip to the grocery store, mall, or school drop-off dressed like you just rolled out of bed? That’s a whole other story.
Public and private fashion have lines—maybe not written in stone, but definitely drawn in common sense. Wearing sleepwear in public not only looks messy, but studies suggest it can also influence behavior, like increased binge eating due to constant comfort cues sent to the brain. Pajamas signal rest, not readiness.
Sagging Pants: A Style That Needs Lifting
For young men, sagging pants exposing underwear has somehow become a fashion statement—but one with questionable roots. This trend actually traces back to prisons, where sagging was a signal for vulnerability. In public life, it’s not just unattractive—it’s uncomfortable, impractical, and potentially damaging.
Medical concerns include:
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Lower belt pressure causing nerve sensitivity
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Disrupted urinary flow
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Increased risk of leg numbness and hip pain
Worse, it attracts negative attention from law enforcement and strangers, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
Parents, Step Up and Speak Out
We know parenting teens isn’t easy, and you can’t be with them every second. But staying aware of trends and maintaining open conversations can make a big difference. Encourage confidence over conformity. Teach them that “cool” doesn’t come from blending in—it comes from leading with purpose.
Nelson Mandela said it best:
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
It takes courage to dress with dignity and stand out for the right reasons.
Dress to Impress, Always
Let’s remind our kids:
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Pull up your pants.
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Leave the pajamas and slippers at home.
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Wear real shoes.
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Make a good impression.
When in doubt, go by the golden rule of style: Dress not just for comfort, but for respect. What would you say to your child before they walk out the door?
Love your article. I always wondered about the dress code in this country in general. I grew up in Switzerland where you will never spot someone going to the market with rollers in her hair etc. … which is still very puzzling to me when I come across it in the US.
As for teens … who wants to see the “undergarments” or worse … maybe I am just too “old” now to understand … or … ?
Christina, I understand and you are correct rollers & PJ’S a bad mix out in the public….a no no for me…..distasteful.Glad you like post.
To be honest I don’t get it… why would you want to look like this in public? Are we really going to “break” all the rules just because we can…
Agata, Just don’t care or their are not aware. I do know it is the Parents that set the example for there children. Glad you like post.
I definitely see this in middle school. However, I’d rather see pj pants than some other things I see! Yikes!
Jen, Glad you like the post. I can image…. indeed.
I can’t stand the sagging pants! It drives me crazy
Brandi, Glad you like the post.
I think it is awful. I understand some want to express themselves, but I don’t think they really want to express the message they are sending when they dress that way.
Debbie, I feel the same way . Glad you like it.