# Are sweatpants considered "sloppy" when worn in public?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [May 12, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203 "2010-05-12T18:54:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 9
### Author:  [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/161 "2010-05-19T05:43:43Z")
People can’t change being Asian. I doubt you could say the same about clothes.
I agree that you can’t necessarily judge the entire character of a person by their clothes. But you can judge some things about them. If I see a teacher at my academy wearing flipflops and sweats in the classroom, I’m going to assume that they don’t care about making a good impression on the students. I don’t think that’s an illogical assumption.
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### Author:  [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/162 "2010-05-19T06:24:35Z")
> [@BigT](#):
>
> My objection is the judging of their character based on what they wear. Judging someone before you have sufficient infromation on their character is prejudice, and prejudice is wrong. At best, it is a necessary evil. And you don’t go around bragging about a necessary evil. You try to make it unnecessary.
>
> Imagine if you saw someone bragging about how they don’t hire Asian people because they feel uncomfortable around them. There’s a logical reason not to hire somebody that you don’t feel comfortable around. But you don’t brag about it. You try to fix your anti-Asian prejudice.
But the way people dress reflects their character.
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### Author:  [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/163 "2010-05-19T13:23:19Z")
Why on earth do some people insist on acting as though their clothes just jumped on them? You \*chose \*them. First when you bought them, and then again when you put them on this morning. They say something about you. If you don’t like what they say, change your clothes, don’t complain that I’m interpreting your sartorial statement.
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### Author:  [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/164 "2010-05-19T13:39:01Z")
Yes- without wanting to start a blue with BigT I find his post devoid of merit. You need to make judgements all the time- if it is on clothes, so be it. I won’t be totally convinced by clothing but I will be persuaded by it in the given circumstances.
Similarly I won’t be convinced by flash clothes but I will be guided.
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### Author:  [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/165 "2010-05-19T14:04:22Z")
> [@Cicero](#):
>
> I wear track suit pants around the house, but only bogans wear them to shopping centres.
Agreed. And if you add a Bintang singlet and a pair of jandals, you’ve got the bogan shopping centre-trip fashion trifecta.
Seriously though, I think most people can agree it’s perfectly acceptable to wear trackpants outside the home environment for things like a quick trip to the supermarket because there’s no bread or milk in the house, going to the post office to pay the phone bill, or going to the chemist to pick up a prescription.
But if you’re actually planning on “going shopping” then you should really, IMHO, put some actual trousers (or shorts) on. Especially because trackpants are ironically not designed for today’s active lifestyle and are sadly deficient when it comes to having space in their pockets for your wallet, phone, and keys- not to mention the fact that they’re not very good at staying around your waist when laden with said daily essentials.
I mean, people come to classes at uni in their trackies, and nothing says “I just got out of bed and I really can’t be bothered making any sort of effort” like showing up to postgraduate classes in trackpants and jandals, IMHO.
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### Author:  [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/166 "2010-05-19T14:05:42Z")
> [@BigT](#):
>
> I need to amend my above comment. It’s fine to say that you think they look sloppy, and that you believe other people will agree. It’s when you assign some sort of value judgement to wearing them that I object.
The main judgment I see being made is that the person wearing sweats out in public doesn’t care about their appearance–which is _precisely_ what at least one sweat-wearer in this thread has said is going on here, that he just flat doesn’t care about clothes or what other people think. And when you’ve already sent the message that you don’t care about two things most other people care about to some extent, it’s not unreasonable and assholish and bigoted for someone to wonder what-all else you don’t care about that matters to other people.
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### Author:  [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/167 "2010-05-19T14:10:59Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#):
>
> But the way people dress reflects their character.
That’s an arbitrary assumption.
> [@DianaG](#):
>
> Why on earth do some people insist on acting as though their clothes just jumped on them? You \*chose \*them. First when you bought them, and then again when you put them on this morning. They say something about you. If you don’t like what they say, change your clothes, don’t complain that I’m interpreting your sartorial statement.
Because it’s not the person choosing the clothes who’s deciding what they say. It’s the observer who’s applying arbitrary and discriminatory feelings to force a baseless “meaning” on clothing choices.
The person wearing sweatpants may be choosing them solely because they feel comfortable. In that case, the sole valid message is “He finds sweatpants comfortable.” Anything else is borne of the viewer’s fevered imagination. And then to socially punish the sweatpant wearer because of this entirely fictional “statement” is oppressive. This is directly comparable to people who say “If homosexuals don’t want to suffer social consequences, then they shouldn’t offend people by acting gay.” See, it’s all just about choices and behavior.
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### Author:  [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/168 "2010-05-19T14:15:40Z")
> [@acsenray](#):
>
> Tthe sole valid message is “He finds sweatpants comfortable.”
No, it’s “he finds sweatpants comfortable, and doesn’t care how he looks”. Which is fine, but there’s a whole lot of information that can reasonably be extrapolated from “he doesn’t care how he looks”, whether he likes it or not.
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### Author:  [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/169 "2010-05-19T14:31:22Z")
> [@acsenray](#):
>
> That’s an arbitrary assumption.
No, it’s not. It’s a perfectly cromulent assumption that someone wearing (for example) black jeans with a singlet, a flannel shirt with a packet of smokes in the pocket, and a pair of jandals is, if not an actual bogan, then certainly from a lower socio-economic group.
> [@](#):
>
> Because it’s not the person choosing the clothes who’s deciding what they say. It’s the observer who’s applying arbitrary and discriminatory feelings to force a baseless “meaning” on clothing choices.
They stop being meaningless when enough people agree on them.
People in police uniforms are generally considered to be police officers. People on the side of roads wearing a fluorescent orange vest, white hard-hat, and digging holes in the footpath are generally considered to be working for the local council. and there’s no baseless or discriminatory meaning to that, any more than there is saying that someone in trackpants when doing something important obviously doesn’t care about how they look.
> [@](#):
>
> The person wearing sweatpants may be choosing them solely because they feel comfortable. In that case, the sole valid message is “He finds sweatpants comfortable.” Anything else is borne of the viewer’s fevered imagination.
Just because you find pleasant to do doesn’t mean you should necessarily do it in public.
> [@](#):
>
> And then to socially punish the sweatpant wearer because of this entirely fictional “statement” is oppressive.
Too bad, I say.
> [@](#):
>
> This is directly comparable to people who say _“If homosexuals don’t want to suffer social consequences, then they shouldn’t offend people by acting gay.”_ See, it’s all just about choices and behavior.
(Italics mine) There’s a lot of people out there who would agree with the italicised part of that statement, you know.
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### Author:  [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/170 "2010-05-19T16:05:49Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#):
>
> But the way people dress reflects their character.
No, it reflects their priorities. I have a three-year-old to chase, a house to clean and a very stressful full time job. Two years ago I cut my hair off and gained an hour each day to deal with other problems. My hair used to be elbow length, my nails long and flawless (and never one longer than another) and my clothes lovely. Now I wouldn’t give a rat’s @$$ for what judgement anybody else makes about my appearance/attire.
I step out of the shower, run my fingers through my hair, and throw on some clean clothes. I am clean, I wear real shoes, and the bikini areas are covered at all times in public. If you look at my outfit and my daughters outfit, it is very clear which one I put more thought/money into.
I have a (probably) broken foot that I’ve been walking around on for almost a year because I don’t have time to go to the doctors. Keep your thoughts about my Crocs or sneakers to yourself. If recreational outrage is your idea of a good time - I’m just the girl for you. Have at it - just don’t get in my way because I have to finish this errand, and get to Target in time to buy diapers before she needs a nap and has a complete public breakdown.
You have my sympathy, and I hope someday you’ll have something more important to spend your time/thoughts on. I’m much happier now than I was when I cared about such things.
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### Author:  [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/171 "2010-05-19T16:14:30Z")
And your priorities don’t reflect your character? Am I in Bizarro World?
Hey, you have more important things to worry about then how you’re dressed. Seems like you should also have more important things to worry about than what I think of how you’re dressed. Seriously, if you don’t care, then DON’T CARE. Don’t get mad at people for judging you on your choices. It’s what people do.
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### Author:  [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/172 "2010-05-19T16:38:59Z")
I don’t care. I thought I made that clear???
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### Author:  [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/173 "2010-05-19T16:41:16Z")
Abundantly. You care so little you typed a 250-word post to justify your position.
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### Author:  [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/174 "2010-05-19T16:50:35Z")
I’m trying to give you some idea of all the factors you can not possibly know about the people you are judging.
We call it “fighting ignorance” and it’s what we do here. . .
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### Author:  [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/175 "2010-05-19T17:20:24Z")
A point - if you think that my trackpants (I don’t like sweats, but I think based on this thread that there are those here who put both in the same category) at the grocers means that I don’t care about how I look - you are wrong. If you go further and assume that my SES point is low, you are wrong again.
I wear them for comfort, after wearing a suit all week. They are clean, the tshirt is clean, and the ball cap is reducing my chances of cancer.
Does your opinion really matter to me? Not much (though just enough to read this thread, I admit). However, you would be smart to be careful with YOUR **ass** umptions. I am reminded of the auto dealers in Silicon Valley who had to adjust their pre-judging once the early tech IPOs started to hit. They had assumed that slovenly dressed individuals walking into the showroom were bums with minimal cash, instead of being newly minted multi-millionaire software engineers.
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### Author:  [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/176 "2010-05-19T17:21:03Z")
> [@TruCelt](#):
>
> I don’t care. I thought I made that clear???
This, right here?
> [@TruCelt](#):
>
> You have my sympathy, and I hope someday you’ll have something more important to spend your time/thoughts on. I’m much happier now than I was when I cared about such things.
That’s not not caring.
I’m just amused by people who are all _ **“I don’t care what you think! Oh, you think something bad? Well, now I feel compelled to justify myself. But not because there’s anything wrong with me! It’s shallow people like you who make deep people like me feel like I’m supposed to care what you think! But I don’t. Also, you’re mean!!!”** _ :rolleyes:
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### Author:  [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/177 "2010-05-19T17:37:21Z")
> [@TruCelt](#):
>
> No, it reflects their priorities. I have a three-year-old to chase, a house to clean and a very stressful full time job. Two years ago I cut my hair off and gained an hour each day to deal with other problems. My hair used to be elbow length, my nails long and flawless (and never one longer than another) and my clothes lovely. Now I wouldn’t give a rat’s @$$ for what judgement anybody else makes about my appearance/attire.
>
> I step out of the shower, run my fingers through my hair, and throw on some clean clothes. I am clean, I wear real shoes, and the bikini areas are covered at all times in public. If you look at my outfit and my daughters outfit, it is very clear which one I put more thought/money into.
>
> I have a (probably) broken foot that I’ve been walking around on for almost a year because I don’t have time to go to the doctors. Keep your thoughts about my Crocs or sneakers to yourself. If recreational outrage is your idea of a good time - I’m just the girl for you. Have at it - just don’t get in my way because I have to finish this errand, and get to Target in time to buy diapers before she needs a nap and has a complete public breakdown.
>
> You have my sympathy, and I hope someday you’ll have something more important to spend your time/thoughts on. I’m much happier now than I was when I cared about such things.
You don’t have time to see a doctor about a possible broken foot? Boy, that kid is going to owe Martyr Mommy big–all her life.
I was _never_ a high-maintenance chick. My hair’s been various lengths, but daily upkeep has always been minimal. Fingernails–clean & not ragged. Comfortable shoes? Yup. (Purses a bit better than they need to be, though.) I usually wear simple tops & skirts (cooler than pants here in Houston) but do like to play with colors. And even apply a bit of makeup.
Why would I judge you on your appearance? Or even notice you? Unless you yell at your kid while we’re waiting in line at Target…
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### Author:  [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/178 "2010-05-19T18:10:00Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#):
>
> You don’t have time to see a doctor about a possible broken foot? **Boy, that kid is going to owe Martyr Mommy big–all her life.**
That was uncalled for and inaccurate. I am not a martyr type, I don’t blame anything on my daughter, and she has no idea that my foot hurts.
I am also confused at the common assumption that I am angry or concerned about what you all think. I am trying to teach here, not looking for sympathy. I had to go back and check to make sure I hadn’t stumbled into the pit!
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### Author:  [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/179 "2010-05-19T18:26:27Z")
> [@TruCelt](#):
>
> TI am trying to teach here
But teach what? I’m not snarking here, I’m asking. Because I’ve been that crazy busy, and I still cared what I looked like. I cared, both because looking good makes me happy, andbecause I recognize that people do indeed judge on looks, and there’s a whole world of opportunities I’d miss by looking less good.
I’m not saying that makes me a better person than you, because it doesn’t. But \*not \*caring doesn’t make you a better person than I am, either. It’s not as though I had to choose whether to be a good mother/employee/whatever or dress nicely, and chose vanity. A person can do both.
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### Author:  [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-sweatpants-considered-sloppy-when-worn-in-public/539203/180 "2010-05-19T18:38:09Z")
> [@TruCelt](#):
>
> That was uncalled for and inaccurate. I am not a martyr type, I don’t blame anything on my daughter, and she has no idea that my foot hurts.
>
> I am also confused at the common assumption that I am angry or concerned about what you all think. I am trying to teach here, not looking for sympathy. I had to go back and check to make sure I hadn’t stumbled into the pit!
If you weren’t so concerned about our imagined criticism of your appearance, why did you compose such an angry message?
> [@](#):
>
> You have my sympathy, and I hope someday you’ll have something more important to spend your time/thoughts on. I’m much happier now than I was when I cared about such things.
Yeah, happier. But in constant pain. Seriously, schedule time to see a doctor about that foot.
The OP dealt with a specific instance of a guy showing up to see an apartment in his sweat pants. Which most of us think wouldn’t make the right impression–on somebody who _will_ be judging him as a possible tenant.
Most people, passing you in the street, will find you quite easy to ignore.
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