no pants in public? college student fashion

[uniwelder]

Here's a really weird question to ask.  I've been asking some friends locally about this trend, but thought I'd get a much wider perspective on this forum.  I live in a college town and have noticed some women not wearing any outer clothes below the waist, as in wearing a shirt/sweatshirt but only panties underneath. 

I first saw this last year in a grocery store.  A girl was walking around with a friend.  I noticed because I thought, wow, she must be wearing some really short shorts since her shirt ended right below the butt cheeks and I still didn't see any fabric.  At some point she leaned over to pick up something off the shelf, and nope..... just wearing panties.

This past weekend, I was eating outside at a restaurant with my wife.  As people are passing by on the sidewalk, a couple of college girls noticed their friends eating at the table next to us.  One is wearing a sweatshirt that ended just below her butt cheeks as well.  She bent over to give a hug to the person seated and same thing--- full view of her panty clad ass.

Is this a new thing?  Widespread or local to my area?  I understand wearing a long shirt as a dress, totally fine in your own home, and you could get away with it in public if it at least went mid-thigh.  When I asked someone else about it yesterday, she replied its not new at all, been going on since she was in college 10 years ago.  I'm totally clueless.  Anyone in the know?

[economista]

Weird. I graduated from college 10 years ago and it's definitely not something I ever did, or remember seeing other people do.

[Sibley]

I haven't seen that, but not surprised that some are doing it. And I have zero problems with someone being asked to leave until they're fully dressed.

I don't consider leggings or tights to be pants, so you would need to wear a dress or long tunic with them. That boat has clearly sailed so I just keep my mouth shut, but no pants at all? Nope.

[Kris]

It was a celebrity fashion thing a few years ago, so I guess it has trickled down.

[OtherJen]

I haven't seen that one yet. I was in Ann Arbor on Saturday on the first hot day of the year, and the main female fashion on campus appeared to be a sports bra/crop top with tap pants.

I did see several young women wearing slip dresses either alone or layered over little t-shirts, which felt like a flashback to my own mid/late 90s high school and undergrad fashion choices. It was a bit odd to see that style on the next generation.

[cool7hand]

Yep. That's a thing.

[Shane]

Maybe they're Mustachians, or ERE folks, trying to save money on clothing, so they can retire early?

[Luke Warm]

i just saw something like that this weekend. i thought she was wearing bathing suit bottoms as we were near the water but her boyfriend wasn't in swimming attire. plus the water is too nasty to swim in.

[GuitarStv]

Sounds like Zoom approved business casual.

[SunnyDays]

That's just tacky.

[jrhampt]

We're not wearing pants anymore?  I suppose this could be a logical outcome of the pandemic...have not seen this here yet but it hasn't really gotten warm enough for no pants yet (outside). 

[CodingHare]

You must live in a much warmer climate than I, you'd catch cold fast without pants or leggings here right now.

[uniwelder]

You must live in a much warmer climate than I, you'd catch cold fast without pants or leggings here right now.

We get all 4 seasons in the same week sometimes. It snowed a week ago, followed by a few 80 degree days, and tomorrow it’ll be back to normal around 60. College students don’t need weather higher than 50 to put on shorts and a skimpy top, as long as it’s sunny out, or Halloween. Don’t you remember what’s it’s like to be young and invincible?

[HPstache]

Kids these days...

[OtherJen]

You must live in a much warmer climate than I, you'd catch cold fast without pants or leggings here right now.

We get all 4 seasons in the same week sometimes. It snowed a week ago, followed by a few 80 degree days, and tomorrow it’ll be back to normal around 60. College students don’t need weather higher than 50 to put on shorts and a skimpy top, as long as it’s sunny out, or Halloween. Don’t you remember what’s it’s like to be young and invincible?

Ha, yep. We had snow on the ground here last Monday. Temps were in the low 80s Saturday and yesterday. We're predicted to have another freeze on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. The kids will just pop on hoodies over the skimpy tops.

[Samuel]

That's just tacky.

On vinyl car seats...

[CodingHare]

You must live in a much warmer climate than I, you'd catch cold fast without pants or leggings here right now.

We get all 4 seasons in the same week sometimes. It snowed a week ago, followed by a few 80 degree days, and tomorrow it’ll be back to normal around 60. College students don’t need weather higher than 50 to put on shorts and a skimpy top, as long as it’s sunny out, or Halloween. Don’t you remember what’s it’s like to be young and invincible?

I'm only thirty, just also perpetually cold, lol.  For the record, I wish I could wear cute, skimpier clothes without freezing. Waiting for summer and 80 degrees and miniskirt season.  Until then, turtlenecks all the way.

[evme]

I've seen this before, I assumed at the time it was some sort of sorority pledge thing...

[AccidentialMustache]

During high school I know of an incident where someone was sent to put a coat on as the t-shirt-and/or-sweater was determined to not be appropriate for the weather. The determiner did not apparently notice the lack-of-anything-resembling-pants. I have it on good authority, from the roommate of said individual, that pants of any length were not involved.

This was mid 90s.

[Just Joe]

Maybe regional. Haven't seen this yet here and there is a university in our town.

[MasterStache]

Ha! This reminds me of my old military buddy who was goofy as hell. We would frequent a local bar and after knocking a few back he would sometimes stand up and just yell "Who here hates pants?"

[KarefulKactus15]

Havent seen that here, but it seems bras are on their way out lol.   No complaints I guess.

[Sibley]

Havent seen that here, but it seems bras are on their way out lol.   No complaints I guess.

For some women, bras enhance their comfort. For others, bras are a torture device. I have absolutely zero problems with women not wearing a bra or wearing a less structured bra. I myself have switched the type of bra I wear on a daily basis. If the men don't like it, they can stuff it. Women's bodies do not exist solely, or even primarily, for a man's perusal.

[OtherJen]

Havent seen that here, but it seems bras are on their way out lol.   No complaints I guess.

For some women, bras enhance their comfort. For others, bras are a torture device. I have absolutely zero problems with women not wearing a bra or wearing a less structured bra. I myself have switched the type of bra I wear on a daily basis. If the men don't like it, they can stuff it. Women's bodies do not exist solely, or even primarily, for a man's perusal.

Preach. Especially since the pandemic, I'm done wearing bras and shoes that feel like torture devices simply because they "look good." Much more comfortable alternatives are available. I applaud young adults for figuring this out sooner than the rest of us did.

[GuitarStv]

Havent seen that here, but it seems bras are on their way out lol.   No complaints I guess.

For some women, bras enhance their comfort. For others, bras are a torture device. I have absolutely zero problems with women not wearing a bra or wearing a less structured bra. I myself have switched the type of bra I wear on a daily basis. If the men don't like it, they can stuff it. Women's bodies do not exist solely, or even primarily, for a man's perusal.

Preach. Especially since the pandemic, I'm done wearing bras and shoes that feel like torture devices simply because they "look good." Much more comfortable alternatives are available. I applaud young adults for figuring this out sooner than the rest of us did.

As a man I don't think that I've ever been in a situation where a woman is showing me her bra, and I've thought "yuck, if only that was a _____ bra I'd be so much happier".  It's just not something that crosses the mind at that juncture.  'WHOOOOO BOOOBIES!", yes . . . but really a surprisingly minimal critical analysis of bra selection.

Sometimes it feels like women assume there's more complication than exists.  :P

[jrhampt]

I also gave up bras and heels during the pandemic.  No regrets.

[CodingHare]

I also gave up bras and heels during the pandemic.  No regrets.

I'm more comfy with a bra, but I just donated my last pair of heels.  Life is too short for uncomfortable shoes and potential damage to your feet!

Preach. Especially since the pandemic, I'm done wearing bras and shoes that feel like torture devices simply because they "look good." Much more comfortable alternatives are available. I applaud young adults for figuring this out sooner than the rest of us did.

As a man I don't think that I've ever been in a situation where a woman is showing me her bra, and I've thought "yuck, if only that was a _____ bra I'd be so much happier".  It's just not something that crosses the mind at that juncture.  'WHOOOOO BOOOBIES!", yes . . . but really a surprisingly minimal critical analysis of bra selection.

Sometimes it feels like women assume there's more complication than exists.  :P

Women's dress standards are often policed by other women.  Women are absolutely capable of enforcing patriarchal dress standards on other women.  So the pressure to wear a bra to be 'presentable' may not be something you witness, but women definitely get comments and pushback on it.  Men can have pokey nipples showing through their shirts without comment at work, women get taken aside and told they are being sexual for existing braless.  There is real pressure there.

[SunnyDays]

Since we're talking about breasts now, here's a contradiction that makes no sense to me:

Women can't go topless but men can and exactly why is this?  It has nothing to do with the size of the breast, because some men have bigger ones than some women.  Women can wear bikini bras that show almost all of their breast except the nipple.  Men can show their nipples with no problem.  So, it's really women's nipples that are the problem, no?  Who decided this and why?

[GuitarStv]

Since we're talking about breasts now, here's a contradiction that makes no sense to me:

Women can't go topless but men can and exactly why is this?  It has nothing to do with the size of the breast, because some men have bigger ones than some women.  Women can wear bikini bras that show almost all of their breast except the nipple.  Men can show their nipples with no problem.  So, it's really women's nipples that are the problem, no?  Who decided this and why?

Well, I mean . .. all laws regarding clothing/nudity are arbitrary.  They're usually determined by whatever society happens to think is moral at the time, and tend to hang around a lot longer than they're necessary.  Taboos are often silly and make no sense . . . but man, they are harshly enforced by society.

FWIW, in Canada women who want to are allowed to go topless anywhere that men are.  But I've never actually seen a woman take advantage of this . . . because taboo.

[OtherJen]

Since we're talking about breasts now, here's a contradiction that makes no sense to me:

Women can't go topless but men can and exactly why is this?  It has nothing to do with the size of the breast, because some men have bigger ones than some women.  Women can wear bikini bras that show almost all of their breast except the nipple.  Men can show their nipples with no problem.  So, it's really women's nipples that are the problem, no?  Who decided this and why?

Well, I mean . .. all laws regarding clothing/nudity are arbitrary.  They're usually determined by whatever society happens to think is moral at the time, and tend to hang around a lot longer than they're necessary.  Taboos are often silly and make no sense . . . but man, they are harshly enforced by society.

FWIW, in Canada women who want to are allowed to go topless anywhere that men are.  But I've never actually seen a woman take advantage of this . . . because taboo.

That, and a strong awareness that it would lead to instant verbal and probably physical harassment.

[Telecaster]

Ha! This reminds me of my old military buddy who was goofy as hell. We would frequent a local bar and after knocking a few back he would sometimes stand up and just yell "Who here hates pants?"

I love your friend already. 

[Villanelle]

Havent seen that here, but it seems bras are on their way out lol.   No complaints I guess.

For some women, bras enhance their comfort. For others, bras are a torture device. I have absolutely zero problems with women not wearing a bra or wearing a less structured bra. I myself have switched the type of bra I wear on a daily basis. If the men don't like it, they can stuff it. Women's bodies do not exist solely, or even primarily, for a man's perusal.

Preach. Especially since the pandemic, I'm done wearing bras and shoes that feel like torture devices simply because they "look good." Much more comfortable alternatives are available. I applaud young adults for figuring this out sooner than the rest of us did.

As a man I don't think that I've ever been in a situation where a woman is showing me her bra, and I've thought "yuck, if only that was a _____ bra I'd be so much happier".  It's just not something that crosses the mind at that juncture.  'WHOOOOO BOOOBIES!", yes . . . but really a surprisingly minimal critical analysis of bra selection.

Sometimes it feels like women assume there's more complication than exists.  :P

I've seen plenty of men openly judge a woman for not wearing a bra.  If the woman is 22 and had a traditionally "sexy" figure, then it is hot. If she is older or larger, then suddenly it is gross and/or inappropriate. 

Until men start wearing a dance belt everywhere, they can fuck right off, and then re-fuck off if they have feelings about a woman not wearing a bra. 

As for the OP, I've seen this but my impression is that there are what I call "dance shorts" under the top.  Those are basically boy-short underwear (or cut slightly higher than a boy short), but meant to be seen.  It's a bit of an arbitrary distinction--like a bathing suit bottom vs. underwear.  Not much difference, but one is intended to be seen and the other not. 

A higher-cut leg dance short:


And a lower cut leg:

[Chaplin]

Well, I mean . .. all laws regarding clothing/nudity are arbitrary.  They're usually determined by whatever society happens to think is moral at the time, and tend to hang around a lot longer than they're necessary.  Taboos are often silly and make no sense . . . but man, they are harshly enforced by society.

FWIW, in Canada women who want to are allowed to go topless anywhere that men are.  But I've never actually seen a woman take advantage of this . . . because taboo.

Walk around Vancouver in the summer and you will. Even crunchier places like Hornby Island and it's pretty common.

I clicked on this thread because I had noticed a few cases of no pants here in Victoria over the last few weeks. I chalked it up to a few people being individualistic with their fashion choices but it sounds like it's a trend.

[driftwood]

Haven't seen the trend, but am glad to see incremental shifts in American culture where women are dressing more comfortably.

[GuitarStv]

Havent seen that here, but it seems bras are on their way out lol.   No complaints I guess.

For some women, bras enhance their comfort. For others, bras are a torture device. I have absolutely zero problems with women not wearing a bra or wearing a less structured bra. I myself have switched the type of bra I wear on a daily basis. If the men don't like it, they can stuff it. Women's bodies do not exist solely, or even primarily, for a man's perusal.

Preach. Especially since the pandemic, I'm done wearing bras and shoes that feel like torture devices simply because they "look good." Much more comfortable alternatives are available. I applaud young adults for figuring this out sooner than the rest of us did.

As a man I don't think that I've ever been in a situation where a woman is showing me her bra, and I've thought "yuck, if only that was a _____ bra I'd be so much happier".  It's just not something that crosses the mind at that juncture.  'WHOOOOO BOOOBIES!", yes . . . but really a surprisingly minimal critical analysis of bra selection.

Sometimes it feels like women assume there's more complication than exists.  :P

I've seen plenty of men openly judge a woman for not wearing a bra.  If the woman is 22 and had a traditionally "sexy" figure, then it is hot. If she is older or larger, then suddenly it is gross and/or inappropriate. 

Until men start wearing a dance belt everywhere, they can fuck right off, and then re-fuck off if they have feelings about a woman not wearing a bra. 

As for the OP, I've seen this but my impression is that there are what I call "dance shorts" under the top.  Those are basically boy-short underwear (or cut slightly higher than a boy short), but meant to be seen.  It's a bit of an arbitrary distinction--like a bathing suit bottom vs. underwear.  Not much difference, but one is intended to be seen and the other not. 

A higher-cut leg dance short:


And a lower cut leg:

Hey, preach on lady.  I too feel the sting of judgement for wearing modest beach wear, even WHEN my nipples are covered!



:P

[scottish]

Ewww.

[FIRE Artist]

Looks like this has been going on for many years now.

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/a8121476/celebrities-are-trying-to-make-no-pants-happen/

[uniwelder]

As for the OP, I've seen this but my impression is that there are what I call "dance shorts" under the top.  Those are basically boy-short underwear (or cut slightly higher than a boy short), but meant to be seen.  It's a bit of an arbitrary distinction--like a bathing suit bottom vs. underwear.  Not much difference, but one is intended to be seen and the other not. 

A higher-cut leg dance short:


And a lower cut leg:

In the two cases I'm talking about, I don't think they were quite what you're describing in the photos.  They seemed to be regular underwear-- more than a thong, less material than the dance shorts, and not granny panties.  Either way, its a slight distinction as you said.

Reading everyone's comments, this might be common enough and I'm just noticing the ones who's shirts are just a little too short to pull off the "am I wearing anything underneath this or not?" guessing game.

[Just Joe]

Until men start wearing a dance belt everywhere, they can

Okay, what is a dance belt?

[partgypsy]

So funny! My daughter in HS told me about this. Not to extent see underwear, but wearing a baggy Tshirt or sweatshirt as a dress. She likes the look, but wears it with biking shorts or short shorts (her preference but also I would not be cool with it otherwise)

[Villanelle]

Until men start wearing a dance belt everywhere, they can

Okay, what is a dance belt?

Kind a thong for men, combined with sort of a jock strap.  Image a male ballet dancer and the very tight leggings they wear.  If they wore nothing under them, things could get quite graphic, but anything with any butt coverage would interfere with the lines of the body.  That's also why they have thick waist straps--so that it doesn't interfere with natural lines by cutting in to the flesh.   

It was the only  uncomfortable male undergarment I could think of, to make a semi-decent comparison.  Having never worn one myself, I can't say for sure, but my male dancer friends were never big fans.  And still I suspect they are less uncomfortable than an underwire bra. 

[GuitarStv]

Oh.  It's a jock strap?

[Villanelle]

Oh.  It's a jock strap?

But a thong.  As I understand it, jock straps have 2 straps that run across/around the buttocks.  But the dance belt is a thong, with just one strap, running between the buttocks.  Plenty of google images out there if that will help.   

[Just Joe]

Hell no... I appreciate dancers even more for what they put themselves through.

[LonerMatt]

I honestly don't care, you're only young once, why not enjoy being a bit cavalier?

[TomTX]

Since we're talking about breasts now, here's a contradiction that makes no sense to me:

Women can't go topless but men can and exactly why is this?  It has nothing to do with the size of the breast, because some men have bigger ones than some women.  Women can wear bikini bras that show almost all of their breast except the nipple.  Men can show their nipples with no problem.  So, it's really women's nipples that are the problem, no?  Who decided this and why?

Depends where you are (as noted above) - even here in Texas there is no legal distinction between topless men and women. In court? Better wear a decent top (and pants). Walking down the street? Strip down nearly as far as you like - no showing genitals. That dance thong or Borat bathing suit would keep you legal.

Doesn't bother me in the slightest if someone wants to go around with no pants.

[gooki]

Even the president of China wears no pants.

Spoiler: show

[By the River]

according to timeanddate.com, today is National No-Pants day.  So all y'all* can go celebrate after re-reading this thread.

  *All y'all is from another thread and should only be discussed there.

[iris lily]

I didn’t know that no pants was a thing until reading the thread.

And then couple weeks later I saw it out in public, worn by one college girl in a pair of college girls. She was not… The model type. Some girls can wear anything and look fabulous. That was not her, it just looked like she forgot her pants.

[jinga nation]

Even the president of China wears no pants.

Spoiler: show

I expected this, and still fell for it. Chapeau!