kickshawproductions.com

There used to be a Canadian television program in the 1970s called This is the Law. The show was a series of skits and each skit would end when one of the characters was arrested for breaking the law; the panelists then had to guess what law had been broken. Invariably, the law in question was some obscure regional edict that was almost impossible to detect - such as shorts not being allowed on Sunday in some Podunk town.

Sagging trousers, 2007

Laws governing how one dresses date back to ancient Egyptian times when certain styles and colours were privileges of social position. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, sumptuary laws were enacted that limited types of decoration and materials as well as how much you could spend on your clothes according to your social class and annual income. Since the 19^th century, clothing laws have been enacted to preserve what is perceived as public decency but many of the laws have had the purpose of keeping women out of trousers, men out of skirts, and everyone dressed like God-fearing Christians. Laws that dictate clothing styles are still being enacted (yes there is such a thing as the fashion police.)

In 2007, some Louisiana towns banned the hip-hop fashion for sagging trousers, a style that originated with rap stars in the early 1990s. Inspired by the oversized outfits issued in prison without belts to prevent suicides, trousers were worn at the top of the buttocks exposing brightly patterned boxer shorts. The Louisiana laws fine wearers as much as $500 for failing to wear a belt. Already on the decline, the style was reinvigorated when it became illegal.

Hajib

Then there is hajib - an outfit that usually consists of a scarf that is drawn around the neck and worn with a long loose dress or modest contemporary clothing such as long sleeved blouses and trousers. This common version of Islamic dress is worn as an expression of modesty, required of women of the Islamic faith and is about as eye catching as a Mennonite girl in a gauze cap or Hasidic rabbi with curls. The scarf and clothing does not inhibit movement or create a safety problem and most women who wear hajib say they are approached with more respect, although they often receive comments from those that see the style as oppressive. Perhaps it is seen as oppressive because hajib was slowly falling from use throughout the 20^th century but was revived at the same time Islamic fundamentalism was growing in the 1980s. In France, which has a large Islamic population due to its historical ties to North Africa, the head scarf, worn as part of hajib, has been outlawed for wear in schools and government offices since 2004 under the excuse that France is a secular country. I thought the point of separating church and state was to protect the church, regardless of the faith, from government influence, and visa versa… apparently I was wrong.

Niqab

Although I don’t understand why there is a law banning hajib, I wonder why any woman would wear the the most extreme version - niqab. This is a veil that covers the entire body but for the eyes and hands. A couple of weeks ago I was having my taxes done when I noticed one of the accountants was a woman in a niqab. The full veil is a strong statement that says the wearer is inaccessible, even antisocial. I didn’t know what the protocol of interaction would be if I got her as my accountant; I would have to talk to her about my taxes but I doubt the offer of a handshake, a standard protocol for business, would have been accepted. Fortunately, we were shown to the accountant at the neighbouring cubicle. The premise for wearing a niqab for modesty doesn’t make sense here in the West because the outfits look so peculiar that they bring undue attention to the wearer.

Ironically the reason for banning sagging trousers was immodesty, the same reason Western dress is banned throughout much of the Middle East, or fully covered by ground sweeping robes in public. Western fashion may not be at its most modest right now but don’t forget that only a 100 years ago a woman didn’t show her ankle in public, and only forty-five years ago there were outcries of public indecency regarding the adoption of mini skirts. Less than twenty years ago I was asked to leave the non-air-conditioned Old Mill restaurant on a hot and humid August night in Toronto because I removed my tie after dancing the Jive. I didn’t break a law, just a house rule, but considering the circumstances I thought their rule was pretty stupid…

Update: In Britain there is also a law that bans sagging trousers as well as hoodies worn up! However a recent judge overturned the rule in his court as a violation of human rights - read about it HERE