Updated: August 2, 2016 | Originally Published: October 7, 2014
At the moment, I find myself unemployed through circumstances beyond my control—thank you, layoffs. The kids have returned to school, we’ve established a new routine, and I suddenly find myself with three days each week where I have nowhere to be. But that’s okay! I’ve taken up writing, digging through the basement for long-lost treasures, and whipping up a variety of healthy snacks. (I’ve even started sneaking raisins into chocolate chip cookies. Who says fruit can’t be delicious? Plus, it means I get more snacks all to myself!)
Much of my time, however, is spent on the couch, “resting, rejuvenating, and reviving myself”—or, more accurately, indulging in some good old-fashioned television. I’m quite traditional; I don’t usually indulge in on-demand shows. Instead, I relish flipping through channels, allowing myself to be pleasantly surprised. Of course, this means I also see a lot of commercials. As a creature of habit, I’ve grown accustomed to the dreaded ad breaks.
These breaks provide the perfect opportunity to take a bathroom break, enjoy a healthy chocolate-chip-raisin cookie, and shuffle the laundry around. But one commercial truly captivated me. For a moment, I thought I had been transported back to 1985, perhaps a la Peggy Sue Got Married. The culprit? An ad promoting the so-called “it” trend for fall: stirrup pants.
I remember the stirrup pant craze well—back in junior high, every girl seemed to own at least one pair. The big debate back then was whether to wear the socks on the inside or outside. Most opted for the latter, creating a tucked-in look that, while not showcasing the stirrup itself, definitely signaled you were in the know. Those who dared to wear socks on the inside might have been slightly less fashionable, but at least everyone could see those stirrup pants!
While I’m sure stirrup pants have undergone some modern updates, it’s hard to imagine how much they can truly change. They remain what they are—much like a bra. You can add some lace or change the color, but fundamentally, it’s still a bra with limited options for innovation.
And let’s be real: stirrup pants are incredibly uncomfortable. In the commercial, a woman struts confidently in heels, making stirrup pants appear to be the epitome of fashion. But I know the truth! That stirrup strap wraps around her foot, right across the arch, and while it might stretch slightly, it’s not enough. With each step she takes, she’s bound to feel the pants slip down, forcing her to hike them back up in a decidedly unglamorous manner.
As we know, our feet are packed with nerve endings, which is why the bottom of the foot is so ticklish. Coupled with the constant tugging from the stirrup strap, it’s an irritating sensation that lingers, akin to a sock seam rubbing against your toe no matter how you adjust it.
At this stage in my life, I have no desire to revisit the stirrup pant experience. The only place I want an elastic strap is around my waist. As we all grew tired of that odd feeling, we eventually started wearing them as regular pants, letting the stirrups hang awkwardly off the backs of our legs. It looked unusual, but at least it was comfortable—and ultimately became the accepted style.
After that brief reign of stirrup pants, they quickly faded from popularity. If someone wore them the following year? Forget it—you were definitely not cool. I suspect this latest fashion revival will be short-lived for similar reasons. Not only because of their discomfort, but also because many of us now associate the term “stirrup” with doctor visits more than with fashion trends. Who wants to revive a style that you can’t help but connect to a paper gown and a reminder to “scoot to the end of the table”?
For those of us who’ve lived through the stirrup pant era, this trend is unlikely to stick.
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Summary:
In this humorous piece, Emma reflects on her unexpected unemployment and the stirrup pants revival, recalling memories of junior high and the discomfort associated with the trend. Despite their return, she doubts their longevity, likening them to outdated fashion that many now connect to doctor visits rather than style.