Pull up your pants or face a fine

One northern Indiana town is considering an ordinance that would require people to wear their pants a certain way.

Merrillville officials have discussed banning people from wearing saggy pants in public. It’s not a novel idea – several cities and towns across the country have banned the style. In Albany, Ga., city officials say that an ordinance banning saggy pants – defined as pants or skirts worn more than three inches below the top of hips – has netted nearly $4,000 in fines from 187 citations. Albany instituted its ban in November 2010.

Officials seeking to ban the style apparently aren’t fans of the look – often pants are worn so low that most of one’s underwear is shown and a belt is needed to keep the pants in place. I’ve also seen people holding up their pants with one hand as they walk. What people will do for fashion!

There are concerns that if a ban is adopted, it could be challenged as unconstitutional. Some worry that bans could be imposed on other styles of dress.

What do you think – should a town be able to dictate how its residents dress?