Is this too sexy for high school?
Students in Loveland, Ohio were surprised to be told last week that yoga pants are “too clingy and revealing” and are now banned as items that can be worn to school. Dozens of students were either sent home or forced to change clothes, and some students even had to serve in-school suspensions.
Really?
I’m the Mom of a grammar school-age boy, so I haven’t yet waded into this pond, but I drive by the high school regularly and have seen plenty of girls in outfits that make me cringe. But never once did I do a double-take over yoga pants. Super-tight, low-cut jeans and tank tops that barely cover are always present, but what actually drives me the most crazy are pajama bottoms worn in public; that’s not sexy at all, just sloppy.
I think having a general rule of conduct for both sexes that bans clothes that are too short or too tight is appropriate, but why are the girls being singled out here? Is it a concern over the sexualization of female teenagers? Lots of boys of high school age wear nothing but skinny jeans which can be nearly as form-fitting as yoga pants, but there’s no uproar or concern over that fashion choice.
Also, it’s not just the students. Take a look at the Moms at drop-off and pick-up and I bet you many of them are wearing yoga pants. I practically live in them … okay, actually I do pretty much live in them … but society doesn’t have any concerns over the local Starbucks being over-run by form-fitting patrons.
Why are yoga pants so popular? Because they’re ridiculously comfortable, very functional, and flattering! I can smoothly go from a Pilates session to the grocery store to school pick-up to coffee with a friend. I’m sure high school girls appreciate the same flexibility as they go from classes to gym to after-school activities to study dates with friends.
So, dear mucky-mucks in Loveland, OH, please let the girls keep their yoga pants. What do you think? Are yoga pants too sexy?
Cheers,
Lisa
(The pic above is from ActivewearUSA.com and, yes, I work for them, mostly because they have awesome yoga pants!)
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Personally I can say that those pants look comfortable and they may be used when girls are in phys. ed. classes. But, professionally, as it’s said above, they are too tight! Girls, at their age, do not understand why we, the teachers, ban this pants in high school. It’s not because we want to! It’s not because male teachers feel attracted. It is because of boys. They do not respect girls. They want to touch their legs, their butt, and everything that looks nice when wearing those yoga pants. And also, some girls (few, indeed) use their attractive body as a “weapon” with male teachers in order to pass their subjects. So, this is my opinion: they may be used, but the reason why yoga pants are banned where I work, it’s boys and few impudent girls.
Regards!
Yikes! There are way worse things that girls at that age are wearing! My hubby trains a lot of high school kids and says that lots of them have their bum cheeks hanging out or constantly lift their shirts up to look at their belly. I think yoga pants would be a welcomed thing. ;-)
Juan I appreciate your input. Thanks so much for pointing out some of the hazards. L–
I agree with you. There are much worse things that I’ve seen kids wearing. Yoga pants are the new more fashionable sweat pants. The are versatile and comfortable. I remember sitting at a desk in school all day. All you want is comfort. And the fact that some of these girls are honor students shows that they probably just want to be able to concentrate at school. And why are only the girls being targeted…
OH BOY!!! A county here in GA just passed a ordnance against the sagging pants trend. Hallelujah! Boy with their britches down pass their backsides exposing their underpants. This bought up the another issues if the boys can’t sag their pants then girl should not be able to wear short short aka daisy dukes or skin tight pants in public if sagging is now deemed indecent public exposure. I totally get both sides. I totally understand the yoga pants being banned from school. The reasons Juan listed are very valid and I agree. When I was in Jr. high school stirrup pants were banned for the reasons Juan gave. Yes they were comfortable and fashion forward you could do anything in them, loved them. They were for after school, dance class and weekends only, they were not school clothes. It’s a time and a place for everything even in dressing and grooming. I love and live in my yoga pants like I did my stirrup pants. I do work from home so if I want to be in my bathrobe I can be. When I worked outside the home never would I have gone to the office in yoga pants. They are too unprofessional unless you work in an industry where they are the norm. Schools have to draw the line somewhere. They will be coming to school in P.J. bottoms and house shoes next because they are comfortable. This is just the reason why many public school have opted for school uniforms. I’m loving the idea more and more. What is considered appropriate or inappropriate to me isn’t viewed that way to others. There is no happy middle ground on this issue. Clothing is freedom of expression you have the right to have your hind parts out and exposed, you have the right to wear form fitting clothing, you have the right to have other body parts out and exposed, I also have the right not to see it. School is a child first “job” if you will, treat if professionally in all ways. If this goes for the kids then it must go for the staff as well. I’ve seen too many teachers with too low blouse & shirts, too tight pants (male & female) and too short skirts. They looked more like they were going to a party than to teach someone kids.
Several good points TraceyJoy, especially about the teachers being too casual or party-like in their dress. I’m assuming that skews more to the younger teachers which in some ways makes it worse. L–
Didn’t I read recently of a school that told their cheerleaders that they couldn’t wear their outfits to class, using the same logic? One girl said that if it’s okay for the field, it should be okay for the school. Personally, I think the other way — that they shouldn’t be wearing stuff that revealing, even on the field. But I think I’m in the minority on that.
Bill it’s a pretty tricky subject, freedom of expression, the idea that kids do grow up earlier these days, boys being boys … if only muumuus would come into style we’d be all set. ;-) Thanks for your opinion … I heard that a school in Florida and also a third school in Pennsylvania banned yoga pants too, so it’s going around.
My alum just passed a rule against yoga pants, and while I am thankful that I missed the ban, I agree that many girls take them too far. I used to wear yoga pants at least 2 times a week because in high school I could never mind much time to get ready to be to class at 7am. But there were a lot of girls who wore them paired with tank tops too tight and too short, and just little cover ups. Often times I felt like I went to school in a dance school. And when I can see the outline of your front-side, you should probably think about putting on that old faithful pair of jeans.
Stephanie very well said, it does seem like a few bad apples are spoiling the bunch though … it’s too bad. L–
As a mom of a High School student at Loveland High School, I can tell you that the girls were given the option to cover their rear with a long shirt if they want to wear the yoga pants. Also, they were wearing yoga pants that looked more like leggings. The school banned Pajama pants back in 2007 and nobody made that big of a deal about that. These girls just want to show off their butts. The school promotes dressing in a manner that shows self-respect, respect for others and the institution of learning. They banned sweatpants with writing on the butt,ripped jeans, PJ’s, Shirts that have sayings or pictures that may be offensive, skirts and shorts have to be longer than your finger tips with your arm at your side, no spaghetti straps,tube tops etc. I personally like the fact that when you walk into the school, you don’t see a bunch of slobs or hoochie mamas. My son who’s a Junior said that a few girls are making a big deal about nothing and that the pants were way to tight. At this point he wishes that they would just go to a uniform. But that’s the difference between someone who is there to learn and someone who is there to be social. All the girls have to do is wear long shirts and they can keep the pants, so do they really care about the comfort, or how they look?
Barb, thanks so much for coming and commenting. There is always more behind the three paragraph story. I’ve also found that other high schools (one in Pennsylvania and one in Florida) have had similar bans without a bunch of noise around it. I appreciate you taking the time to talk about your experience and that of your sons. Thanks! L–
Our local middle school just banned yoga pants today. I’m so happy I’m in high school :) I have swimming in gym every Monday Wednesday and Friday, and after swimming it is so hard to put on jeans! But yoga pants are a lifesaver because they are easy to put on when your wet,comfy, and I don’t feel like a slob on campus. Also, there are always the days where you have so many tests, or even when we take standardized tests, all I want to be is comfy so I can do my best. Lastly, I am so busy. I play tennis, basketball, and softball, and I have so many activities after those. Therefore, comfort is very important to me because of my long days. I can wear the yoga pants for gym, school, tennis on chilly days, working out, hanging out with friend, and basically everything. I’m not trying to be sexy, I normally wear hoodies with them anyways. So, I really hope this doesn’t happen at the high school.
Hi Arianna, I would be on the lookout for your high school, if it’s already in your school system I’m sure they’re talking about it in all the school. Good luck! L–
Juan, while i appreciate your input, I do have to say though…
“They do not respect girls. They want to touch their legs, their butt, and everything that looks nice when wearing those yoga pants.”
That doesn’t make any sense. Boys do not respect girls at ANY TIME, whether they are wearing yoga pants, a uniform, or basically any kind of clothing you can find out there. They will always want to touch a girl, it’s their hormones, and it’s human nature. How is it that the females have to be punished for somethings that males are basically programmed to think?
And it isn’t only boys that want to touch women, its men themselves. We are all made to reproduce. Men of ANY age will be like that.
So when will it all end? When will men finally respect women?
Never. Because everything can be made to be “too revealing.” It’s a matter of opinion.
And respect can go in different ways. Do you think it shows respect to women in Middle Eastern countries where women are forced to wear Berkas? No. It shows that men want to CONTROL women, but have no intention of respecting them, judging by the fact that they can beat them if they don’t wear it.
It isn’t a matter of “respect” for young women. It’s the minds of people that think that yoga pants are too revealing. May I point out that those minds are probably more dirty, since they can find harmless clothing to be sexual, or offensive.
Isabella, interesting points. I disagree with you about no men ever respecting women ever … they do, trust me. Maybe it’s a little easier to spot after high school. (I’m guessing you’re in high school still, but if I’m wrong I apologize!). That said, a burqa certainly conceals everything about a woman and probably doesn’t stop guys from thinking about how pretty they are. L–
I think it’s BS to ban yoga pants in high school. Girls are mature enough to wear them. It’s BS that girls get in trouble for wearing them. Schools should be more worried about other things such as sexual harrassement, kids cutting class, and giving kids a good education. They’re aren’t hurting anyone when they’re wearing them. Girls want to be comfortable, so let them wear them. What does the school want; girls to be uncomfortable? To me, the school is being sexist. To Barb: “Girls should be allowed to wear yoga pants whether or not there’s a shirt to cover their rears. Girls are making a big deal out of this because they want to be comfortable. You and your son you are hypocrites. Both of you would be complaining if you couldn’t wear your favorite kind of outfits. Uniforms don’t belong in schools.” If I were the judge, I’d make the “school fashion police” were dresses for a week to see how it feels to be uncomfortable.
Andy, thanks for your comments, I agree that it’s singling out girls and it should be more gender neutral and I’d also like them to pay more attention to things like what you actually learn, having strong rules for good conduct (that would get rid of the yoga pant problem right there) and how about those gawdawful school lunches? Peace. L–
This is also going on in Loudoun County, VA. Most of, if not all of the local high schools have instituted a ban on yoga pants and leggings, form what I understand, and it’s now starting to gain some internet attention. i’ve long since graduated form high school, but I still think the schools could be putting their efforts into something far more productive than cracking down on kids who want to wear comfortable clothing. It’s the same thing as the school systems saying you can’t wear a t-shirt with a pentagram or some metal band on it because it’s “satanic”, or that you can’t sit down during the pledge of allegiance because you don’t agree with many of the country’s policies. It’s just discriminating against something because it makes some old geezer in the higher-ups uncomfortable due a generational gap.
JH thanks for your comments. I’m always a fan of focusing a bit more on healthy school lunches … :)
I agree there are worse things that people can be wearing, BUT everything should be addressed. I work at a high school some of the pants you can see every cut of there personals and some of the men talk. Believe it or don’t it is disturbing. The girls will survive if they have to wear a longer shirt. It shouldn’t hurt them to cover up. Boo Hoo what is the deal we need to take a stand. What is so disturbing about making them cover their bodies? Why do we fight this. They are better off if the schools take a stand. It is better for the girls in the end, REALLY. Everyone is looking at their bodies and you should not only hear the adults, but the boys talk to the girls so inappropriatly at the school while the girls laugh. It is very disturbing and I have to stop them when I hear them, but not everyone does. This goes on all in the school. You parents haven’t got a clue what is going on in the school at all. All sports atire for the girls needs to be adressed also. BUT, only the parents could make that stand, and no body cares.
Jack, thanks for adding your thoughts. I hear you. :-) L–
Lisa, just curious since you work for active wear. Why is writing or graphic on the butt just so popular? Brands like Juicy Couture, and Victoria’s Secret Pink, make millions of dollars, sexualizing girls and women’s butts, but from what I am reading so many women and mother’s and fathers do not agree with writing on the butt, so why do you think it is a style that persists with such ferocity. by the way I am a yoga teacher, and I also like my yoga pants.
Kat, I was a little bit too old when those came out and I don’t get why they exist. What bothers me is not so much the sexualization … (which it is) but why would you pay good money to advertise someone else’s brand on your butt?? Makes no sense to me …
I will say that of the 80 brands we carry at ActivewearUSA.com I truly don’t think a single one has writing on the butt. Sometimes a little scroll design or something, but nothing that overt. I think it’s tacky … L–
I think this is rediculous! Have they not seen the cheerleading uniforms? maby they should ban all the little preppy girls from wearing those really short “booty” shorts and low rise tank tops. these pants are pretty much the same as the form fitting low rise jeans all the girls are wearing just not in the same fabric.
I don’t see anything wrong with yoga pants, considering what some girls, here in Canada wear to school. To be honest I grew up in the UK and the vast majority of schools have school uniforms which allows the kids to more or less look the same, saves the parents money, and all the designer stuff can be worn on the weekends.
They haven’t banned them from my daughters school fortunately!
In fact the only thing they’re not allowed to wear are microskirts and short booty shorts and tank tops…otherwise its pretty much a free for all.
and I never allowed my daughter to wear pants that said anything across her hiney cuz why do I want people looking at her butt?! not happening!
There are definitely a lot of opinions and I agree the most with things that aren’t yoga pants but are just as tight and revealing. I guess if we start dressing teens in muumuus we’ll all be safe. ;-) L–
I just recently graduated from high school, luckily prior to the upcoming ban on yoga pants. I am a young woman with a shapely body, and there is no end that young males will cease to find females attractive. For the first two years of my highschool career, I wore nothing but baggy sweatpants, sweaters and no makeup and was constantly being hit on by the young pervs. This year when I started wearing jeans more and yoga pants, there were just as many males. The way the girls are wearing yoga pants, laced with revealing shirts, is not reflective of the pant style, but of the individual and they themself should be punished. I believe clothing generilazions are made too broadly, it should be the way the outfit is worn and the student is presented, rather than the particular article of clothing and I have faced this reprocussion many a time and am quite tired of the controlling aspect this gives administration.
Sarah, thanks so much for leaving this comment. You’re very well spoken and I think quite right. Boys are boys right? We could be wearing potato sacks and they’d still hit on us. Thanks again, L–
They should be banned. I am a high school sophmore and some girls wear them so tightly they literally wrap around each individual ass cheek, you can see their glorious camel toe, and they are stretched to the point that you can see through them. Skinny jeans are tight, but they are not as tight as yoga pants. We had a debate about this and I said they should be banned and I wouldn’t be happy, and my teacher said “if a teenage boy wouldn’t be happy if something got banned, then you know they shouldn’t be allowed.” The yoga pants moms wear are not nearly as tight. You may think I’m exaggerating, but I kid you not you can see their ass as if they are not wearing anything. They shouldn’t be allowed. Sorry for any typos, I did this on my phone
Evan thanks for contributing, to me wearing them that tight is more tapping that individual on the shoulder and letting them know they’re off by a size or two … also the cheaper the yoga pant the worse the camel toe #justsaying Stay away from the Old Navy type stores …
If you are going to ban yoga pants for being revealing, what about short skirts, short shorts, skinny jeans…etc. where would the banning of revealing clothes stop? If high schools are going to ban yoga pants on the account of being revealing, then they would have to ban ALL clothes that are revealing if they want to be consistent.
Zak it does seem that a general policy of non-revealing clothing makes more sense doesn’t it? In this case all-or-none thinking makes sense. L–
I don’t see any issues with yoga pants as long as they are the proper size. It’s been mentioned before but some girls wear them way too small and they outline every aspect of the lower body. I don’t think the concern is so much directed at the butt as it is the front side being shown in near naked detail. I’m a guy and I personally find it to be pretty disgusting, tacky, and far from sexy.
It’s fine to be that revealing in private or with your sig other but I think the public should be spared from having to catch an unintended view of the frontal wedgie. Same goes for the dudes in super tight jeans, uck!
The ban on yoga pants is absolutely ridiculous. Girls should not be forced to change their wardrobe just because boys cannot control their hormones.
Let me take a step back and say that I do understand banning miniskirts, short shorts, etc. as they do show a lot of skin, which can cause distractions. However, yoga pants do not show any skin. The legs are covered from hips to feet.
If the distractions caused by these pants are mainly a girl’s butt, and her curves, then the argument is flawed, as one cannot see a girl’s behind when she is seated at a desk. Sure, they will see the girls walking in the hallways, but the girls will be seated during class time.
I disagree with the comment that girls wear yoga pants to look sexy. As a yoga pant enthusiast I will say that I wear them for comfort, and ease of getting ready in the morning. I know that many of my friends and classmates agree with that statement. Yes, we know that we look good in them; however that is not the main cause for wearing them. When I want to look good I throw on nicer pants, or a dress. Some mornings it is just nice to wear yoga pants!
Most girls wear yoga pants that are indeed the correct size. There are a few, however, that may wear them too small which causes them to be see-through. This is a problem of sizing, which can happen with any article of clothing; it is not the fault of the specific pants. If a girl wears them too-tight then an administrator has the right to ask them to change. The pants themselves are not the problem and should not be blamed.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a correctly fitted pair of yoga pants. Women have the right to express their curves. No, we should not encourage our daughters, sisters, mother, and friends to dress provocatively. However, we also should not teach them to be ashamed of their bodies by banning one of their favorite articles of clothing. Soon people will say schools should ban fitted t shirts and tank tops because it puts too much emphasis on girls’ chests.
While I understand the argument against them, I find it silly. All hail the yoga pants!
-Allie
This is an interesting topic for me. I’m a freshman in high school and came across this article searching for Yoga Pants. I’ve got a pair of yoga pants myself and was debating on whether I should wear them or not. I have a big butt and bigger thighs and when I wore my yoga pants to school, I got a lot of compliments and other unwanted attention. I don’t really feel comfortable in yoga pants at school because I feel like I’m walking around in my underwear really. I think that yoga pants should be more of a at home thing rather than school. School is for learning and although yoga pants are comfortable, so are sweats and sweatshirts. I feel like if a girl really wants to be comfortable, then why would they want to squeeze into a size -10? Or wear a crop top without a tank top? I guess it all depends on how you wear the yoga pants, but I know that I’m going to be sticking to my skinny jeans.
Kayla, I think you answered your own question … you should feel comfortable about how you look and how you move. Choose clothes based on that and you’ll be fine. :-) Good luck! L–
I am a student in high school, and I love my yoga pants! They’ve become popular as many feel that they are less sloppy than sweatpants, a bit more professional and super comfy. Somedays I don’t feel like sitting in jeans or other pants so I wear my yoga pants, often with a hoodie, if not, then with a t-shirt. I do see your point on them being too tight, but only sometimes, depending on the girl. Many girls at my school like to wear them to where they are so tight, the material is made shiny, and oftentimes they are Victoria Secret’s brand PINK, which typically features many things like bright colors, rhinestones, and patterns, to attract attention to the backside, and this can also be found in many different brands as well. Most of the girls wear them as I do, for comfort a day or two out of the week, and sometimes we even wear them when there are presentations for school with a nice shirt, because they look similar to dresspants, but with comfort. Our middle school is banned from wearing yoga pants as the girls were becoming very sexual with boys, which was made easy by how tight they were wearing the pants, and these were 7-8th graders, so 12-14 year old girls. So, depending on how they’re worn, I can see both sides to the story, too tight should be banned, but when they are worn for comfort and to fit, they’re alright.
Molly, I totally agree with you. As a Pilates Instructor I basically live in yoga pants and if done right they’re sleek and stylish, not slutty. :-)
i think yoga pants are horrrible!!! jk jk uhm theyre okay as long as you dont have a huge ass and big thighs like if u do then it just becomes grosss. :) otherwise theyrre just for comfort, but at the smae time its kind of not fair if girls with huge asses get punished and skinny girls don’t
Amy, it is possible to get properly fitting yoga pants at any size … it is something to be aware of though, stretch fabric, fully stretched is never a good thing on anyone.
I’m a junior in high school and I wear flared yoga pants and the straight leg ones. All the girls wear them, they’re very comfortable, especially during testing and one and a half hour long classes. If they’re gonna ban yoga pants, might as well ban skinny jeans or any other form of pants that resemble a potato sack. Seriously, guys are used to it and hello, we sit during class, so how the hell are they distracted by a girls ass? If you’re THAT distracted by a girls butt when you’re walking down the hallway, have you been living under a rock? Girls are everywhere, outside of school, you can wear whatever like miniskirts and even then, some guys don’t care. So what’s the big deal with yoga pants? If my school was to ban them, almost every girl would go against it. Why trade in our comfort for what other people think? No skin is shown, so what I have a big butt? It’ll be the same size in regular pants.
People, please, get off girls’ backs and be happy they’re wearing PANTS that DON’T show skin! Apparently us high schooler’s just don’t seem to please any of these uptight adults.
Let us wear what we want, and focus more on teaching, not preaching. That’s our parents’ job.
Shandi I like your line, “focus more on teaching, not preaching.” Good luck. L–
Banning yoga pants from school or work or anywhere actually isn’t legal. One of our fundamental laws is that people are allowed to go and do whatever it is they need to do as long as they don’t break any laws. That is what you call liberty. Yoga pants are acceptable attire for women in public. They have not been banned, do not show nudity, and are not lewd. They are perfectly legal.
If you prevent a girl from going to school because she is wearing yoga pants, you are denying her her natural right to liberty, because she has not broken any law. She is not guilty of indecent exposure or lewdness. Yoga pants could only be considered lewd if the female form itself was considered lewd, but if that were the case, you could argue that the only appropriate clothing for a woman would be a burqa.
If yoga pants were actually banned by our society, then this wouldn’t be true. But yoga pants have become a popular and common article of clothing for women, both in the gym and in public. They have proven not to be lewd by becoming socially acceptable in public. Because of this, it would be unjust to deny a female a place in a public institution like a school simply because she is wearing yoga pants.
Schools all over the place have been banning yoga pants because they are “too sexy” and “too revealing”. They do fit snug and can clearly define the buttocks, and sometimes you can see “camel toe”. They are indeed sexy, but sexy doesn’t necessarily mean lewd, and the female form is not lewd. One problem with banning yoga pants is that it makes the female form somehow lewd, and something that needs to be covered. This could create a cultural attitude and a slippery slope where all women’s clothing that is “revealing” could be banned. All clothing for women that is comfortable and practical could be banned because it is too “sexy”.
Principals and schoolboards should know that they are overstepping their bounds in dictating to the rest of society what acceptable clothing is. Society and culture itself determines what clothing norms are, and the popularity of yoga pants tells us that they are proper and normal garments for women.
Get used to seeing “ass cheeks” everybody. It isn’t so bad, because they’re not ugly.
A company or institution is allowed to have a dress code. People can wear whatever they want in public but schools do have the right to enforce a dress code
James you bring up an interesting point actually. If you work at a public school do you have the right to impose a dress code?
The most obvious and simple solution to this problem would be to require that students wear uniforms to school. Either the federal or the state governments should pass a law requiring all public schools to have a uniform dress policy.
Governments have the right to pass whatever laws are necessary to ensure good education.