At present, I find myself in an unexpected period of unemployment due to recent layoffs. It’s amusing how these situations unfold. With the children back in school, we’ve settled into a new routine, but I suddenly have three days each week devoid of obligations. It’s manageable. I devote time to writing, clearing out the basement, and preparing an array of nutritious snacks. (I even add raisins to my chocolate chip cookies because, after all, fruit is healthy! Plus, no one in my family touches them, which means more for me!)
I also spend considerable time lounging on the couch, “resting and rejuvenating” — which is my polite way of saying I’m binge-watching television. I tend to lean towards traditional viewing methods, preferring to channel surf rather than engage with on-demand streaming. This, naturally, results in a fair amount of commercial viewing. As someone who grew up with the classic TV experience, I’ve grown accustomed to the interruption of ads.
These breaks provide a chance for a bathroom visit, a quick snack, or managing laundry. Recently, one specific commercial caught my attention in an almost surreal way. I felt as though I had been transported back in time, reminiscent of a scene from Peggy Sue Got Married. The reason for this time warp? An advertisement for what is supposedly the trending fall fashion: stirrup pants.
I distinctly recall the stirrup pants craze from my junior high days when every girl in my class owned at least one pair. The big debate back then was whether to wear your socks tucked inside or over the stirrups. Most opted for the outside look, which concealed the actual stirrup but offered a trendy vibe. If you were in the “socks inside” camp, you were slightly less fashionable, but at least it was clear that you were wearing stirrup pants, and that was the main point.
While I’m sure these pants have received a contemporary makeover, let’s be honest: there’s only so much that can be done to enhance stirrup pants. They remain fundamentally the same, much like a bra. You can add lace or change the color, but ultimately, it’s just a bra with limited variations.
Moreover, stirrup pants are notoriously uncomfortable. The model in the commercial struts around in heels, portraying stirrup pants as the epitome of fashion. Yet, I know the reality: the stirrup strap wraps around the arch of her foot. It’s a thick elastic band that stretches minimally with movement. Each step likely leads to a constant downward tug on the pants, forcing her to adjust them unceremoniously.
As we know, the soles of our feet are highly sensitive, packed with nerve endings, making them incredibly ticklish. This sensitivity contributes to the discomfort of wearing stirrup straps. They create a relentless pulling sensation that’s hard to ignore, akin to a sock seam irritating your toe.
Personally, I have no desire to revisit that sensation at this stage in my life. The only elastic I want on my pants is around the waist. In junior high, we quickly grew tired of the discomfort and began wearing our stirrup pants with the straps dangling awkwardly at the backs of our legs. While it looked peculiar, it was more comfortable and soon became the only acceptable way to wear them.
After that brief moment of popularity, stirrup pants faded from the scene. Anyone attempting to wear them the following year quickly lost their cool status, regardless of how they styled them. I predict that this current revival will have a similarly short lifespan, not only due to discomfort but also because those of us who wore them originally now associate “stirrup” with medical visits rather than fashion. It’s unlikely that anyone who remembers stirrup pants will embrace a trend that evokes thoughts of paper gowns and awkward examinations.
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In conclusion, stirrup pants may have their moment in the limelight, but their uncomfortable design and the nostalgic cringe associated with them will likely render them a passing fad once again.
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