Right now, I find myself in between jobs, not by choice—thank you, layoffs. The kids are back in school, we’ve adjusted to our new routine, and I suddenly have three weekdays with no obligations. It’s all good, though. I’ve taken to writing, decluttering the basement, and whipping up a plethora of delightful, healthy snacks. (I sneak raisins into chocolate chip cookies; I mean, fruit is healthy, right? Plus, they’re delicious, and I get to enjoy them all to myself since no one else in the family will touch them!)
I also spend a considerable amount of time lounging on the couch, “resting and rejuvenating”—or more accurately, binge-watching TV. I’m a bit nostalgic in my viewing habits; I prefer flipping through channels rather than relying on on-demand services. This means I end up watching a fair number of commercials, and I’ve grown accustomed to that familiar, dreaded break in programming. It’s a perfect opportunity to grab a healthy cookie, stretch my legs, or switch the laundry.
One particular commercial grabbed my attention. It felt as if I had time-traveled back to 1985, reminiscent of that movie “Peggy Sue Got Married.” The cause of my temporal confusion? A flashy ad promoting the latest fall trend: stirrup pants.
I distinctly recall the stirrup pants craze from my junior high days when every girl sported at least one pair. The big debate back then was whether to wear your socks inside or outside the pants. Most opted for the outside, creating that tucked-in look that, ironically, obscured the stirrup itself. But hey, it was cool, and everyone recognized who wore stirrup pants. Those who chose the socks-inside option? They were slightly less trendy, but at least their stirrups were visible, which was the main goal.
Sure, stirrup pants have likely undergone some modern tweaks to align with today’s fashion, but let’s be real: there’s only so much that can be done to enhance them. They’re like a bra. You can add lace or a pop of color, but at the end of the day, it’s still just a bra.
And let’s not forget the discomfort factor. The woman in the commercial prances around confidently, making stirrup pants look enticing. But I know the reality—the stirrup strap wraps around the arch of her foot, constraining her every movement. With each step, that elastic strap stretches just enough to pull her pants down, requiring her to adjust constantly in a way that’s far from graceful.
As anyone who has worn these can attest, the bottom of the foot is packed with nerve endings, making stirrup straps unbearable after just a few minutes. It’s akin to having a seam of your sock incessantly rubbing against your toes, no matter how you shift it.
At this stage in my life, I have zero interest in reliving those awkward stirrup moments. The only place I want elastic is around my waist. Back in junior high, we eventually grew tired of that annoying sensation and began wearing them as regular pants, letting the stirrups flop behind us. It looked odd but offered a level of comfort that won out in the end.
After that brief stirrup phase, they faded from the fashion scene. Anyone still wearing them the following year was deemed uncool, regardless of how they styled them. I predict this latest revival will have a similarly short lifespan—not just because of the discomfort, but because the word “stirrup” now conjures images of doctors and those awful paper gowns. The original stirrup pant wearers are unlikely to embrace a fashion trend tied to uncomfortable doctor visits.
In this era of home insemination, where we’re all looking for supportive resources, check out this excellent guide on pregnancy and explore fertility supplements for those looking to conceive. If you’re considering self insemination, the BabyMaker kit is a reputable option to explore.
In summary, stirrup pants are not making a comeback in my wardrobe—comfort and practicality win over nostalgia any day.
Keyphrase: stirrup pants revival
Tags: “home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”