Why do women wear yoga pants in public?

[MeanJoe]

@Dangerosa

Comfy.

I’m too old and fifteen pounds too heavy for them to be sexy (Helen Mirren in yoga pants might still be sexy, not me).

And MeanJoe, I think you underestimate how hyper critical women are of their own bodies. We don’t see yoga pants as sexy because we don’t see our own asses as cute or our own tummies as flat enough. Unless you are talking about someone who does an hour of pilates a day and jogs showing up in workout clothes - most of us honestly think something like yoga pants highlights our too flat, too round, too droopy ass and the tummy that hasn’t seen 100 crunches a day like you promised yourself on New Years but which do show the stretch marks and “it will never be the same” abdomen of the last pregnancy.

Look, certainly it takes all types. Not every woman in yoga pants looks attractive to the average male. And I understand the point about body issues. I’m not a Neanderthal. And perhaps I do see a larger percentage of women in yoga pants who ARE attractive due to the demographics of the area I live and shop - primarily young professionals, white, middle-to-upper income, and active lifestyles.

And to Anaamika’s point I get you don’t dress to impress men. No one says you cannot dress any way you like and your attire should not be an excuse to be hit upon by men or harassed. I didn’t say or intend to imply anything of the sort. But you’re fooling yourself that such a world will ever exist where what you choose to wear because it flatters your figure and is attractive to you will most go unnoticed by other people too - some of them men! This is the naivety I was talking about in my original comment. Do you honestly mean when you put something on that you feel is flattering to your body type and makes you feel attractive that you find it unacceptable, improbable, or offensive that a member of the opposite (or same!) sex might also find it flattering and attractive and visually appealing? To repeat and emphasize - I do not mean that that ENTITLES someone to oogle you, harass you, or make inappropriate advances.

[Anaamika]

@MeanJoe

And to Anaamika’s point I get you don’t dress to impress men. No one says you cannot dress any way you like and your attire should not be an excuse to be hit upon by men or harassed. I didn’t say or intend to imply anything of the sort. But you’re fooling yourself that such a world will ever exist where what you choose to wear because it flatters your figure and is attractive to you will most go unnoticed by other people too - some of them men! This is the naivety I was talking about in my original comment. Do you honestly mean when you put something on that you feel is flattering to your body type and makes you feel attractive that you find it unacceptable, improbable, or offensive that a member of the opposite (or same!) sex might also find it flattering and attractive and visually appealing? To repeat and emphasize - I do not mean that that ENTITLES someone to oogle you, harass you, or make inappropriate advances.

Nope, not at all. I mean, I don’t find it unacceptable or offensive. BUT, I admit, there are times I find it improbable!

Other women have said this before but we get hit on ALL THE TIME. So sometimes we just cease believing it. If men are going to hit on us when we’re all dolled up and also when we’re wearing our sweatpants/yoga pants and blearily going to the store for a gallon of milk, forgive us for not entirely believing that you saw us and didn’t just see “female”.

[GrumpyBunny]

@Anaamika

Other women have said this before but we get hit on ALL THE TIME. So sometimes we just cease believing it. If men are going to hit on us when we’re all dolled up and also when we’re wearing our sweatpants/yoga pants and blearily going to the store for a gallon of milk, forgive us for not entirely believing that you saw us and didn’t just see “female”.

This x10000
I have been hit on while wearing a geek-tv-show baggy t-shirt, no makeup, and sloppy jeans, in the line at Starbucks. Seriously, what the hell?

[brainstall]

Does there have to be any reason aside from because they’re comfortable?

Pretty sure that at 50+ and more than a few pounds above my ideal weight, I am not being ogled by men who find my yoga pant clad ass irresistibly attractive. I am, on the other hand, comfortable and appropriately dressed to run my dogs, do errands or just be out in public.

[Thudlow_Boink]

@gallows_fodder

The purpose is to wear pants that are very comfortable. It doesn’t go any deeper than that.

Oh, unless you think women wear yoga pants to turn men on? I don’t know, maybe some do. I wear them in public because they’re the most comfortable pants I have, and some days, a person just doesn’t want to deal with constricting pants, you know?

I wonder if this is part of the confusion: I (a guy) associate loose with comfortable, and tight with restrictive and uncomfortable. I don’t think I’ve ever worn anything tight that wasn’t uncomfortable.

[Anaamika]

@Aeschines

I think the question should actually be, “Why do women feel it’s OK to wear yoga pants in public, whereas in the past they would not have as said pants are too revealing.”

I find it to be a pretty titillating and immodest look. It would be like a guy wearing Speedo-level-tight, well, tights. So that you can see the full package in 3D, not to mention the buttcheeks well-highlighted.

Sweat pants are typically not that tight.

Camel toe is in evidence more than the wearers would probably like to think.

I’m not the fashion police and won’t say that women ought not wear yoga pants and leggings in place of regular pants, but I do find it surprising that so many find it comfortable to do so.

Oh, I should answer this too. Maybe we just don’t care anymore about somebody else’s sense of “modesty”. I mean women have been told since time immemorial that we can’t wear this or that because it’s not modest and because men might lose control and start raping everybody out there. But I think we’re just sick and tired of hearing it and want to dress the way we want. Men dress without ever worrying about their modesty, I can tell you, or the bikers you mention wouldn’t wear their bike shorts which make them look like they are smuggling grapes in the wrong place.

If you can see camel toe and it turns you on, I guess it’s just not my problem.

[MeanJoe]

@Anaamika

Nope, not at all. I mean, I don’t find it unacceptable or offensive. BUT, I admit, there are times I find it improbable!

Other women have said this before but we get hit on ALL THE TIME. So sometimes we just cease believing it. If men are going to hit on us when we’re all dolled up and also when we’re wearing our sweatpants/yoga pants and blearily going to the store for a gallon of milk, forgive us for not entirely believing that you saw us and didn’t just see “female”.

I certainly can try to have empathy for that situation but I have no idea what that must really be like. I’ve never experienced it first hand as a male. Sometimes I wonder how women don’t just go postal upon us men-folk on a regular basis. So I do apologize again if my posts have somehow left the wrong impression than what I intended.

[CalMeacham]

Because if they didn’t wear anything it would be scandalous.

Next you’ll want to know why firemen wear red suspenders.

[Omar_Little]

@SeaDragonTattoo

Why do people wear pajama pants in public?

Because people think it looks good to dress that way when your shopping at Walmart.

[Jophiel]

@Anaamika

Men dress without ever worrying about their modesty, I can tell you, or the bikers you mention wouldn’t wear their bike shorts which make them look like they are smuggling grapes in the wrong place.

Most don’t, unless they’re biking. I don’t go to the grocery store and see a bunch of guys in bike shorts wandering about. Unlike, you know, yoga pants. Then again, maybe they’re not comfortable. I’ve never worn them so I don’t know. Never seen a guy wearing them around the mall saying “But they’re comfortable” either.

Not that I give a wet slap if someone is wearing yoga pants but I don’t see the comparison – at least around here. Maybe you live somewhere where men in tight biking shorts and Speedos roam free.

[steronz]

@brainstall

Does there have to be any reason aside from because they’re comfortable?

Pretty sure that at 50+ and more than a few pounds above my ideal weight, I am not being ogled by men who find my yoga pant clad ass irresistibly attractive. I am, on the other hand, comfortable and appropriately dressed to run my dogs, do errands or just be out in public.

I think “why do women wear yoga pants in public” isn’t the right question. Sure, it’s because they’re comfortable, but there’s lot of clothes that are comfortable but socially not acceptable to wear in public. Inside your “because they’re comfortable” answer there’s an implied “and socially acceptable” that needs to be explained.

Thus, “When did society drop the taboo against women wearing workout clothes in public [while not working out]?”

The taboo is going away for men as well. Personally I don’t really approve, but I think it’s a lost cause at this point.

[Procrustus]

@Jophiel

Most don’t, unless they’re biking. I don’t go to the grocery store and see a bunch of guys in bike shorts wandering about. Unlike, you know, yoga pants. Then again, maybe they’re not comfortable. I’ve never worn them so I don’t know. Never seen a guy wearing them around the mall saying “But they’re comfortable” either.
.

Except stupid sexy Flanders

[jem_1]

@Thudlow_Boink

I wonder if this is part of the confusion: I (a guy) associate loose with comfortable, and tight with restrictive and uncomfortable. I don’t think I’ve ever worn anything tight that wasn’t uncomfortable.

Tight jeans = uncomfortable. Tight yoga pants = extremely comfortable. Different fabric, not restrictive. I think that women feel they have to wear jeans relatively tight since that is the fashion. Relaxed jeans for women results in “mom jeans.” Men can wear relaxed fit, loose jeans and look fashionable. So, some women prefer yoga pants versus tight jeans when shopping and such.

I wear compression capris (a below the knee version of yoga pants) to workout at the gym. During cold months, I change into long yoga pants after my workout to run errands. My jeans would be too tight after leg workouts. If I’m just leaving the house to go shopping, I wear jeans. Never gave it much thought until now.

[Caffeine.addict]

@Jophiel

Most don’t, unless they’re biking. I don’t go to the grocery store and see a bunch of guys in bike shorts wandering about. Unlike, you know, yoga pants. Then again, maybe they’re not comfortable. I’ve never worn them so I don’t know. Never seen a guy wearing them around the mall saying “But they’re comfortable” either.

Not that I give a wet slap if someone is wearing yoga pants but I don’t see the comparison – at least around here. Maybe you live somewhere where men in tight biking shorts and Speedos roam free.

Because of the padding, bike shorts aren’t all that comfortable to wear if you aren’t biking. I prefer mountain bike shorts which are slightly looser, but the same applies.

I see a lot of the moms dropping kids off at my son’s school wearing yoga pants, both the looser kind, and the tighter Lululemon kind. I figure that they must be comfortable or why bother.

[No_umlaut_for_U]

Practically a uniform around here. Personally, I think they look stupid, but I would never say immodest as long as a fairly long shirt is worn in public. I hypothesize that their athletic purpose is so the yoga instructor can see if the correct form is being used.

[brainstall]

@steronz

I think “why do women wear yoga pants in public” isn’t the right question. Sure, it’s because they’re comfortable, but there’s lot of clothes that are comfortable but socially not acceptable to wear in public. Inside your “because they’re comfortable” answer there’s an implied “and socially acceptable” that needs to be explained.

Thus, “When did society drop the taboo against women wearing workout clothes in public [while not working out]?”

The taboo is going away for men as well. Personally I don’t really approve, but I think it’s a lost cause at this point.

How does one determine ‘socially acceptable’ for just being out in public? Certain situations suggest a dress code - weddings, work, going to the opera, riding a horse, running the Iditarod, going to the beach, to name a few, but for just minding your business in a public place, who determines what is suitable and appropriate? Do we need an official fashion police to beat women with sticks for the fashion crime of wearing yoga pants in public when clearly not on the way to or from a yoga class?

And yes, I shake my head at some of the things I see people wearing in public, or even at my office, but it’s not my call, and most days I’m just glad I managed to get my shoes on the correct feet and remembered to zip my fly.

[Aangelica]

Oh, for the love of little green apples.

I wear yoga pants* on weekends in the cooler months quite often. They’re at least as (and sometimes slightly more) comfortable as jeans, cover precisely the same amount of skin, and are approximately the same level of snugly fit, except that the yoga pants don’t get all saggy around the knees after a few hours. They also are much more forgiving to actual body movements - like bending over to put things into or take things out of shopping carts, automobiles, shelves, etc. And I don’t have to wear a belt with yoga pants, because they manage to stay up all day without starting to creep inevitably downwards as the day wears on if I’ve forgotten to put on a goddamn belt again. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaate having to hitch my goddamn pants every couple of minutes because they’re slipping inexorably off my hips as I go about my day.

I wear them because they are practical, ridiculously comfortable, relatively inexpensive (this is important for me since I’m hard on clothing), and no more or less modest than wearing a pair of jeans that actually fit. Also, I only need one freaking outfit to complete a whole day of errands and chores. I can wear them to do my grocery shopping, clean the bathroom, weed the lawn, do laundry, scrub the kitchen, go to the pharmacy, pick up dry cleaning, or whatever random errands I have. I try to keep my clothing changes to a minimum. Therefore, I want my casual clothing to be clothing I’m happy to lounge around my house in once I’ve finished doing all the things I have to do. Yoga pants are more comfortable for lounging around my place than jeans are.

Mostly, on weekends, if I don’t have particular evening plans, I’m not super interested in changing clothes at all. I want to put on one outfit and then wear it all day, so I want it to be an outfit that I’ll be comfortable in when I get to the glorious portion of my day when the chores are done and I can plop my ass down to play computer games or watch TV with my husband.

Even when I was younger, single, and put some thought into how men viewed my clothing choices, that consideration didn’t rise over maybe a 20% level of consideration. It was lower on the list of considerations than, for example, “Are all the important bits covered?” “How do I think I look in this?” “Do I look good in this color?” “Do my girlfriends think this is an attractive look for me?” and “If I wear this, what are the chances I will accidentally flash the world?”. It mostly was higher than “What are the odds I manage to drop something on this outfit and ruin it, therefore costing me money I can’t afford?” though.

*To be scrupulously clear, the yoga pants to which I refer herein are the sort that are basically non-fleece-lined sweatpants without the God-forsaken heinous elastic band around the fucking ankles. They’re mostly navy or grey or black, and the fit is pretty much identical to well-fitted jeans. They’re some sort of jersey-knit fabric.

[Jophiel]

I think the yoga pants people are asking about are considerably more revealing than even tight jeans. Denim seems more pre-formed where you’re filling the shape, yoga pants cling to your natural shape. You don’t see the same “hug” and movement in tight jeans which are the qualities I’d guess people are asking about.

Of course, “yoga pants” apparently run a gamut so YYPMV

[Aangelica]

@Jophiel

I think the yoga pants people are asking about are considerably more revealing than even tight jeans. Denim seems more pre-formed where you’re filling the shape, yoga pants cling to your natural shape. You don’t see the same “hug” and movement in tight jeans which are the qualities I’d guess people are asking about.

Of course, “yoga pants” apparently run a gamut so YYPMV

True, they run the gamut from “semi-opaque tights” to “sweatpants without elastic ankles”. The ones I see most often are sort of a cross between tight jeans and capris - they’re capri-length, but more figure hugging than capris.

The sort of shirt one wears with the yoga pants makes a pretty big difference too. Is it a normal T-shirt or a sports bra pretending to be a shirt?

[steronz]

@brainstall

How does one determine ‘socially acceptable’ for just being out in public? Certain situations suggest a dress code - weddings, work, going to the opera, riding a horse, running the Iditarod, going to the beach, to name a few, but for just minding your business in a public place, who determines what is suitable and appropriate? Do we need an official fashion police to beat women with sticks for the fashion crime of wearing yoga pants in public when clearly not on the way to or from a yoga class?

And yes, I shake my head at some of the things I see people wearing in public, or even at my office, but it’s not my call, and most days I’m just glad I managed to get my shoes on the correct feet and remembered to zip my fly.

I’ve got some t-shirts that I used to love, super comfortable, that were eventually afflicted with those horrible yellow pit stains we recently had a thread on. I stopped wearing them out in public and instead use them as work shirts, so now they’re even worse, covered in paint and motor oil and the like.

Could I still wear one of those shirts to the grocery store, maybe with pajama pants and socks with sandals? Sure, nobody’s going to arrest me or beat me with a stick. Heck, nobody’s going to even say anything, and people are generally polite enough that I doubt I’d get so much as a dirty look. But I won’t do it, because it’s not really socially acceptable to go out dressed like that, as comfortable as it may be.

Fashion changes, and most people don’t have a problem understanding what’s “allowed” and what’s not allowed without anyone really having to spell it out. I got rid of all my ripped jeans and baggy flannels in the late 90s, not because anyone said anything to me but because I knew that stuff was no longer socially accepted. Is this controversial?