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What are the Pros and Cons of Loose Clothing?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

One of the biggest pros, or advantages, of wearing loose clothing is that it can feel very comfortable. Yet, one of its biggest cons, or disadvantages, is that it may look sloppy rather than stylish. Other cons include safety issues, looking heavier than one really is and not having a flattering line to an outfit. More pros of loose clothing are that it may cause less irritation to the skin and allow for a greater ease of movement than fitted garments.

Walking, sitting and bending can seem unhindered to a person wearing loosely fitted clothes. Tighter pants may have a tendency to ride up while a person is walking in them or make sitting and bending difficult by being too binding to the knee area. When wearing loose-fitting pants, there is often no need to move the fabric at the knee before sitting down. Looser pants also allow a person to make larger strides while walking than more fitted types of trousers may. Yet, loose clothing worn for running may bunch up and can slow a person down.

Many people enjoy wearing loose T-shirts for comfort.
Many people enjoy wearing loose T-shirts for comfort.

Wearing loose pants while riding a bicycle can be downright dangerous, as the excess material can become caught in the chain and cause the rider to fall and/or injure his or her leg. Loose long-sleeved shirts can also pose a safety hazard when worn while using a stove or other flame source. The long sleeves of such loose clothing pieces are definitely a con as they may catch on fire quite easily and lead to the wearer experiencing serious burns.

Tight pants have the tendency to ride up while a person is walking.
Tight pants have the tendency to ride up while a person is walking.

Comfort is a common pro mentioned by people who wear any type of loose-fitting garment such as a big T-shirt or baggy pants. Yet, to others, loose clothing such as shorts, dresses, sweaters, nightgowns and long skirts can look very sloppy — especially when an entire outfit is loose-fitting. Since garments with a loose fit don't define the body, they also have the con of making many people look heavier in weight than they actually are. For extremely thin people though, this feature may be considered a pro.

Fitted clothing -- a typical example of which includes dress shirts -- is considered more formal than loose clothing.
Fitted clothing -- a typical example of which includes dress shirts -- is considered more formal than loose clothing.

Yet, even very heavy people tend to look best when clothing just skims over bulges rather than fits them loosely. Overly loose clothing on overweight or obese people can have the effect of making them look even larger. A pro of having loose garments is that they are more likely to still fit during fluctuations in weight than more fitted clothing would.

Discussion Comments

anon1005740

It's a dumb comparison. Especially when it comes to safety hazards, like duh? That's why there are dresses appropriate for certain activities. You don't ride a bike with trousers, but shorts. You don't cook with long-sleeved shirts but short-sleeved ones or you can even roll the sleeves if you have to. As for fashion, why it's just a matter of social media and what the press says. People just want to jump on the trend, but hey loose clothing are fashionable in their own right so stop nitpicking, people.

You got it right with the pros of loose clothing: comfortable and it won't discriminate by your body shape.

As for cons? None.

bear78

Some people just have to wear tighter or looser clothing because of their job. People who play sports or have to move around a lot for their job have to wear loose and comfortable clothing or working would become really difficult.

Also, some people operate certain kinds of machinery at work and loose clothing can be hazardous, so they are required to wear more tightly fitting clothing.

So I guess, whether it is loose or tight clothing, it's always a pro if it makes your job easier.

serenesurface

Another con of loose clothing for me is that it makes gaining weight easier. When I wear loose clothing all the time, I can't tell if I gain or lose weight, because it always fits and I feel like it's okay to overeat.

When I wear tight clothing though, even if I gain a pound or too, my clothing feels too tight and uncomfortable. It's actually like an alarm. It tells me I have gained weight and need to watch out. So I will watch what I'm eating and exercise more until I loose those few extra pounds. If I wore loose clothes all the time, I think I would keep gaining more weight.

burcinc

I agree with all of these pros and cons and I think that's why we have room for both kinds of clothing in our life, depending on the circumstance and our needs.

For example, I can never wear tight fitting clothing at home. Since childhood, I have always worn loose pants or sweats and t-shirts at home because I want to be comfortable. My home is my place to relax and rest so I don't care about how I look, I just want to feel good.

When I go outside though, I prefer to wear more tight fitting clothing, for definition, just like the article mentioned and also to be more fashionable. People tend to judge each other by how they look and how they dress, so I wouldn't want to look completely careless when people see me outside. I want them to see a well put together, fashionable and beautiful girl.

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    • Many people enjoy wearing loose T-shirts for comfort.
      By: Kayros Studio
      Many people enjoy wearing loose T-shirts for comfort.
    • Tight pants have the tendency to ride up while a person is walking.
      By: auremar
      Tight pants have the tendency to ride up while a person is walking.
    • Fitted clothing -- a typical example of which includes dress shirts -- is considered more formal than loose clothing.
      By: Tombaky
      Fitted clothing -- a typical example of which includes dress shirts -- is considered more formal than loose clothing.