Wildwood Makes It Official, Bans Saggy Pants
And there are real teeth to the ban, too, as AP reports:
Hindsight will soon be punishable by a $25 fine in this Jersey Shore resort.
Wildwood passed a law Wednesday night banning overly saggy pants on the boardwalk, prompted by numerous complaints from longtime visitors about having to see people’s rear ends hanging out in public.
Subsequent violations of the law, which could take effect as early as July 2, could result in fines as high as $200, and 40 hours of community service.
Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. said the city was addressing dozens of complaints from visitors over the years, but the American Civil Liberties Union said the new rule infringed on freedom of expression and it might try to block it in court.
“We would get 100 emails and 98 would say they were offended by it,” Troiano said of jeans or trousers slung far below the waistline, exposing the wearer’s underpants.
“We’re just asking people be a little decent to those who are offended. I’ve had kids say ‘I have a right to wear my pants like this,’ and I respond ‘I have a right not to look at your rear end,'” Troiano said.
Esquire’s Style blog wants New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to take similar action in his city:
So, after you’ve hiked up NYC’s collective trousers and gotten everyone in shoes and shirts, perhaps you could help us stamp out a few other style infractions we’ve seen a lot of lately. First off, no more men tucking their skinny jeans into boots. Maybe you could subsidize a citywide skinny jean buyback program, where guys from all five boroughs could trade their calf-stranglers for something with a little more room.
Also, let’s outlaw those sleeveless shirts — homemade or otherwise — with the armholes cut so large that we’re getting side-boob from dudes. Actually, while you’re at it, maybe just ban tank tops entirely outside of beachfront and poolside locations. Oh, and toe shoes. Let’s make those illegal, too. In fact, let’s make wearing them a serious offense. Something with jail time.
