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Leggings are arguably the most controversial—and confusing—pieces in the American women's wardrobes these past ten years. Are they pants? Workout wear? Both? A trend? A closet staple? Both? But even after years of deep and abiding questions, a legging-centric controversy has started raging in Evanston, Illinois. Middleschool girls are picketing for the right to wear them and their superiors at Haven Middle have banned the stretchy enigma because they're "too distracting to boys."
Sophie Hasty, who's 13 and leading the pro-legging charge, told the Evanston Review that the reasoning, which teachers relayed to the student body this month, "is giving us the impression we should be guilty for what guys do."
Slate reports that administrators have explained to parents that "if leggings are worn, a shirt, shorts, or skirt worn over them must be fingertip length," but there are certain girls who were told they aren't allowed to wear them. One parent, Julia Bond, said the "students who were getting 'dress-coded,' or disciplined for their attire, tended to be girls who were more developed [...] inconsistent enforcement simply makes girls embarrassed." Which is a massive bummer, but possibly worth the struggle considering we get this amazing picketing slogan: "Are my pants lowering your test scores?" Or, possibly, imagining the havoc wrought on our public education system when meggings go mass.
· Middle-School Girls Picket for the Right to Wear Leggings [Slate]
· Chicago Bros Behind Meggings Not Afraid of a 'Lil Moose Knuckle [Racked]