Without a doubt the popularity of leggings, jeggings, and, in particular, yoga pants have exploded onto the scene in recent years. It’s no stretch of the imagination that nearly all young women own a pair of this new fashion staple of form fitting clothing.

Some would argue that clothing styles such as yoga pants are offensive and inappropriate. Others argue that they are distracting to the young men in classrooms. But, what no one can agree on is to what extent yoga pants should be controlled.

Administrative boards have been grappling with whether or not action should be taken against the seemingly harmless fad. Namely, Milford’s cross-town rival, Lakeland, was rumored to place a ban on the style.

With the changing of administration that occurred over this past summer vacation, the new rule was not put to action.

“Now we have a new principal and some of the positions switched around so they haven’t been as pushy this year, just reminders,” said Lakeland senior, Marlayna Malvich, on the topic of why the yoga pants aren’t banned.

She also noted that last year the administration at LHS was extremely adamant on enforcing dress code. Shorts were the issue, at one point the International Academy, a school in the basement of Lakeland, had more than 30 girls at one time in lunch detention for wearing clothes deemed inappropriate by Lakeland’s standards. During the winter and spring, teachers began issuing warnings on yoga pants and the school dress code, according to Malvich.

For a while Milford students were under the to be the impression that there would indeed be a new rule controlling the dress code, however as the school year came around no new regulations were enforced.

“Until today, I wasn’t really sure what yoga pants were,” said Vice Principal Eric Dziobak. “I’m sure there won’t be a rule on it as long as students don’t abuse their privileges.”

There are some people that still oppose or are uncomfortable about yoga pants. Teachers and parents often find them trashy or disrespectful.

One wary teacher, Kathy Olgiersson believes girls at Milford are abusing their privileges given to them in the school dress code. She feels that the “skin tight” fashion is a disgusting display of the impurities of our teen taste.

“Girls need to be respectful to their bodies and try to cover up,” said Olgiersson.

Senior, Zoe Berg disagrees. “Girls wear yoga pants because they’re comfortable and simple, they aren’t worn for any reason other than that.”

It’s often a common criticism that they are distracting to males in the classroom. Though logical, this argument has very little merit. It’s just as distracting as a tight-fitting shirt or jean shorts and boys don’t find them a problem.

Junior, Connor Adams points out, “I understand why some teachers argue against yoga pants, but to be honest, they really don’t bother me.”

Yoga pants won’t be a huge deal in the coming years, it’s only a fad. Fads change, tastes change, and soon you’ll be reading an article on a totally different “offensive” fad and yoga pants will not matter. But students should not be deprived of their right to express themselves. If girls want to be both fashionable and comfortable, they should be allowed to do so. Nowadays, girls are labeled too much already. It’s not helping them by saying their safe haven for comfortable fashion is wrong.