Sagging (fashion)

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Sagging is a manner of wearing pants or shorts below the waist, revealing some or all of their underwear, most commonly practiced by young males. In recent years young females have also begun to practice the style of sagging. It is closely associated with hip-hop music and fashion. Sagging is also common among skateboarders and the Skate Punk music scene.

1 Origin
2 Controversy
3 Other names
4 References

[edit] Origin

Sagging is commonly assumed to have originated in the prohibition of belts among incarcerated inmates, when belts were confiscated to prevent prisoners hanging themselves.^{[citation needed]} A popular urban legend rumored that Sagging while incarcerated means that the inmate is "available", but this was debunked by Snopes.^[1] However, some former inmates from the 80s^[who?] maintain the claim.^{[not specific enough to verify]}

Also, it is suggested that the trends are said to initially be worn by Southern California gang members, it became popular when gangsta rap artists from Los Angeles became popular in the early 90s^[2]^[3]^[4] and was also called "bustin' slack." However, baggy pants or as it is popularily referred to as sagging (which is baggy looking but with under-garments exposed) really have their origins in eastern culture^{[citation needed]} i.e. people in Africa, and many indigenous people wore and some continue to wear loose-fitting or saggy style clothes e.g. Agbada (bubu) and pants (in Africa).

[edit] Controversy

In early September 2007, the city of Atlanta, Georgia was debating whether to have the fashion statement made illegal under an ordinance sponsored by Council member C.T. Martin. This proposal caused considerable feedback.

In March 2008, the Hahira, Georgia City Council passed a highly controversial clothing ordinance, in the name of public safety, that actually bans citizens from wearing pants that are below the waist and reveal skin or undergarments. The council was split 2–2, but the tie was broken by the mayor.^[5]

In many school districts across the United States, sagging is prohibited.^{[citation needed]} The Virginia General Assembly tried, but failed to approve a law making the sagging style illegal in February 2005.^{[citation needed]} In June 2007, the Town council of Delcambre, Louisiana passed an indecent exposure ordinance, prohibiting people wearing trousers which show their underwear.^[6]

The American Civil Liberties Union has associated laws against sagging to be racial profiling.^[7] Benetta Standly, statewide organizer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia stated, "In Atlanta, we see this as racial profiling... It's going to target African-American male youths. There's a fear with people associating the way you dress with crimes being committed."