# Which modes of fashion do you view as "inappropriate" for the public? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 20, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303 "2012-09-20T19:12:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![the\_apples\_fell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@the\_apples\_fell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_apples_fell)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/1 "2012-09-20T19:12:58Z")
And why? It is multiple choice. Do you think there are some things that just should not be worn in public and are frankly inappropriate? ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/2 "2012-09-20T19:44:00Z")
“In public” covers too much ground. Do you mean in the business district, or at the beach, or at a nightclub? Some of these I would find inappropriate for business attire, or for polite society (e.g. a restaurant). Most of them are not objectionable per se, but only in context. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/3 "2012-09-20T19:46:14Z")
Saggy pants that hang below the wearer’s backside and require him to hold them up with one hand (especially when the custom in my area seems to be that said hand is planted in groin). Super-low-rise jeans that force everyone anywhere near the wearer to be quite aware of type/color of underwear (if any) she has on. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/4 "2012-09-20T19:48:31Z")
I don’t really find any of these inappropriate. I mean yeah, don’t wear booty shorts or sagging jeans to a business meeting, I guess, but I wouldn’t object to any of them in public. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/5 "2012-09-20T19:57:27Z")
Indeed context is everything. But I was picturing walking down a city street in the summer. Shirtless is the only thing I checked, but butt crack is really pushing it. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/6 "2012-09-20T19:57:54Z")
I can’t answer until I get more context. Shirtless for men is inappropriate in a store or at the office, but fine if you are mowing your front lawn. ---
**Author:** ![the\_apples\_fell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@the\_apples\_fell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_apples_fell)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/7 "2012-09-20T20:10:59Z")
In public I mean at a grocery store, restaurant, walking through the mall, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/8 "2012-09-20T20:18:10Z")
Inappropriate for wandering about at the mall? None of them. Tackey as hell is another thing entirely. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/9 "2012-09-20T20:19:31Z")
Racists find pants sagging inappropriate because it occurs in “black culture”. I thought the sdmbers were more enlightened than that 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/10 "2012-09-20T20:22:17Z")
Wolf t-shirts. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/11 "2012-09-20T20:23:01Z")
I’m assuming you, the OP and it seems **tdn** (and some others now too since I took so long to find the youtube clip), are taking shirtless for women means their breasts are showing? For me the first thing I thought of when I saw that was, “Of course not. What’s wrong with dresses or a women jogging with a sports bra.” And after thinking for a second I thought I really wouldn’t mind if women were out in public with their breasts showing as long as they are not allowed to slap me for staring. But yeah, skinny jeans on men and saggy pants gotta go. I mean really, you want this, [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HEeQor0QfHQ/hqdefault.jpg "Skinny Jeans") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEeQor0QfHQ) walking within your eyesight. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/12 "2012-09-20T20:25:48Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Indeed context is everything. But I was picturing walking down a city street in the summer. Shirtless is the only thing I checked, but butt crack is really pushing it. It is relative to where you are. I think that shirtless is inappropriate wandering the streets of Washington D.C. but I’ve seen enough guys in Rio de Janeiro coming from the beach and stopping in bar for a drink or a bit to eat on the way home for me to think it is inappropriate there. ---
**Author:** ![core\_dump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dec6dc/32.png) [@core\_dump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/core_dump)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/13 "2012-09-20T20:26:54Z")
> [@](#): > > ( ) Shirtless (women) > [@Muffin](#): > > Inappropriate for wandering about at the mall? None of them. If we had malls like that here I might actually drag myself in there. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/14 "2012-09-20T20:27:16Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I’m assuming you, the OP and it seems **tdn** (and some others now too since I took so long to find the youtube clip), are taking shirtless for women means their breasts are showing? No, with a bra. I’m OK with a bikini top, but not anywhere too far from a beach or pool. Sports bras are fine. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/15 "2012-09-20T20:29:10Z")
I don’t find any of this inappropriate except shirtless for women Caveat 1: Although I didn’t take the poll to mean “In a grocery store” in which case I will add “shirtless for men” Caveat 2: If we mean “shirtless for women with a sports bra or bikini top on” then I do not find that objectionable even in a store. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/16 "2012-09-20T20:29:24Z")
> [@Caffeine.addict](#): > > It is relative to where you are. I think that shirtless is inappropriate wandering the streets of Washington D.C. but I’ve seen enough guys in Rio de Janeiro coming from the beach and stopping in bar for a drink or a bit to eat on the way home for me to think it is inappropriate there. Agreed. Not that I’ve been to Rio. I’ve gone to restaurants in a wet bathing suit, but I’ll put a t-shirt on. I don’t think my naked belly is going to increase many appetites. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/17 "2012-09-20T20:34:19Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Racists find pants sagging inappropriate because it occurs in “black culture”. I thought the sdmbers were more enlightened than that 😕 UH No Where I live there are plenty of white boys, who wear that style. It looks stupid no matter what color you are, especially when the waistband of the pants is hanging below the butt cheeks. FWIF my black SO thinks it looks stupid too. No matter what some people think it’s not always about race. Stupid is stupid and stupid is color blind. I’m not offended by it but I still think it looks stupid to walk around holding your pants up with one hand. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/18 "2012-09-20T20:49:14Z")
Well, I wouldn’t wear any of them, but at one point in my life I did and I wouldn’t object to seeing someone more youthful than me wearing them at the appropriate venue. Now, if some woman came in my office wearing booty shorts and no top and wanted to talk about renovating her lab, I might ask her to throw on a sweater or something, but mostly I just don’t give a shit. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/19 "2012-09-20T20:58:28Z")
None whatsoever, and it doesn’t depend on context. Ladies, if you want to go topless in a business meeting, that’s fine with me. The president of the United States could go buck naked to the next “World Leaders Meeting” and I could care less. Whatever floats your boat. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303/20 "2012-09-20T21:08:59Z")
There’s a difference between “inappropriate” and “objectionable”. Inappropriate depends on context and location, and yes, everything on the list would be considered inappropriate in certain circumstances. Whether I would be offended or find it objectionable, generally no. My kids and I usually just point and laugh. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-modes-of-fashion-do-you-view-as-inappropriate-for-the-public/635303.md?page=2)