Most people wear sweat pants at some time or another for some reason or another. What I want to know is "why is there a sweat pants double standard?" What do I mean? Let me give you two scenarios that should help explain my point.
- Scenario 1 (S1) - An overweight individual is walking through the mall in a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt.
- Scenario 2 (S2) - A physically fit individual is walking through the mall in a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt.
The only difference between the two scenarios is the physical fitness of the individuals mentioned. In S1, the individual is overweight whereas in S2, the individual is in shape.
When most people see the individual in S1 they jump to the conclusion that the person is wearing sweat pants because he/she is too big to fit into jeans very well. The individual is wearing the pants more out of necessity than by choice.
When most people see the individual in S2 they jump to the conclusion that the person is wearing sweat pants because they are comfortable or because they are coming from/going to the gym and didn't feel like changing. The individual is wearing the pants more by choice than out of necessity.
I cannot be convinced that this generalization does not occur either, as I used to be one of the people who jumped to those conclusions. Then I put on sweat pants the other day because I wanted to wear something warm and comfortable. Then my wife (who is always telling me just to wear sweat pants, but I refuse because I don't want to be the person in S1). But I just wanted to be comfortable and I knew that. And that was when I learned the error of my ways.
Let's put an end to the sweat pants double standard!
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6 comments:
oooooooooo0o0o0 this is a good blog! I have to admit I'm one of those people who jumps to that conclusion. I guess it has to do with our society in itself and how they make us think. We all label people, whether we should or not. And the ironic thing is, we're encouraged to do that in the restaurant business."Size up your guests," they tell us. This is only so we can bring them better service. Cause most likely 4 big construction workers walking through the door aren't going to want to drink hot tea. You get my point? But why should we assume that? Just like, why should we assume that a skinny person wearing a sweat outfit means their physically fit? Most of the time their not. They probably just think those J-Lo outfits are actually flattering.
p.s. It makes me smile whenever you mention Polly. I like reading you say "my wife." :)
compromise...no sweat pants with words on the caboose ending with a "y" (e.g juicy, shorty, cutey, baby, sexy)
Yeah, it's too bad that we're taught to generalize.
And good rule andy. I like it.
I do think like this as well. But I have to say, I try to keep the sweats for at home activities only. And its just that... to be comfortable. If I am going any place else, I want to look nice. I think that an overweight individual shouldn't wear sweat pants and a t-shirt because it typically doesn't look good. I am just picturing that guy with the beer belly hanging out and his rear end half exposed. YUK! I think it also depends on the sweat pants. Some sweats are made to wear out for style.
And I too agree with your friend's "caboose" rule.
Wow, weird. That is a wacky blog there. Yep, regular old odd.
While I usually agree with your outlandish thoughts, I have to say that on this one, I fear there isn't much need for a double standard at all. Let me give you some reasons. First of all, sweatpants, regardless who is wearing them, are a disgusting and utterly unnecessary clothing option. Anything with an elastic waistband should be reserved for people over 65 (at which point it's typically accompanied by a polyester blend), or pregnant ladies...because I know that I'd want my wife to give our future baby a comfortable fetus developing environment. Let me get straight to the point: guys should never wear sweatpants period...fit or not, because sweatpants are incapable of hiding certain anatomical features, and I have no desire to see the "business" of dudes wearing sweatpants. I hope I have made my point.
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