I was seeing "saggers" out in Seattle as early as 90-91. The act of "sagging" was always referred to "pimping" ... ergo, pimping the sag.

Apparently it's annoying enough that more than a couple of communities (one of them in Florida, if I remember right) have at least attempted to pass some sort of city code restricting the sagging pants on grounds that it's some sort of gang identification. How you're supposed to run from the cops with your britches around your ankles escapes me but, whatever.

So to the questions: 

1.) See above for part 1. There should be limits to style, I think. Seriously, could you really imagine that parachute pants and Coca -Cola shirts could have lasted well into the ripped jeans and flannel shirted Grunge era? Even that became annoying and died out. Don't even get me started on Members Only jackets.

2.) Yes, but that's just because I'm an overly opinionated old geezer.

3.) Oh yes. I would probably even point and laugh, too.

4.) Wasn't Roth's highwaters a blatant ripoff of ska culture?

My son sagg, and wears skinny jeans /unpossible

I have always thought that the people who wear their pants like that probably were never "de-pants" in Junior High.

I just don't get sagging pants when viewed in a crime-Darwinist light. So you have your pants around your knees because you're a hardcore gangsta. Cops like to chase hardcore gangstas. It's really hard to run from the cops when your pants fall down, ergo, the best criminals have belts?

In my wilder youth, I never would have chosen a fashion that would result in me getting busted easier.

If us old people understand the latest fashions the kids aren't doing their job. However, though attributed to hip-hop, low-riding pants were actually pioneered by a country/old-time banjo player named String Bean.

Saggy pants (as much as I grit my teeth every time I see them) are the new slack -- much the same as long hair in the 60s, or green hair and tattered clothes in the 80s.  It's the latest F U to the man. Apparently we are the man and it's working. I say let your freak flag fly. Meanwhile, the big hoodie, hat and shoes trend seems pretty harmless -- at least they're wearing a jacket!

Wait. Who's Molitor?! That wasn't me.

Pants hate goes both ways.  Recently was verbally harassed by young toughs, for wearing outdated fashions. Occurred at TJ Maxx. A discount outlet for outdated fashions.

@pH, shouldn't they be referred to as MAX-inistas?

I work for a co. that owns the largest apparel trade show in the world...the saggers are SO out of date. This used to be considered an alternate lifestyle/urbanwear genre. Now it's just stupid.

The skinny jean, hoodie/sweater, stocking cap look came out of Japan about three years ago. Most of them sported high end premium contemporary brands so they could pull it off. Think jeans that retail at $225+ & Mr. Rogers sweaters at $75+

What's next? Fitted jackets in all styles & fabrics for women paired with jeans, leggings, longer skirts & for men paired with jeans or tailored trousers. Pomegranate and dark olive are the big winter colors.

I agree Cork, the skinny jeans are unacceptable, but look at the bright side. Surely they are a fad as skinny, tight jeans are the most uncomfortable piece of attire one can wear.  In most cases, these d-bags won't be able to reproduce a new generation of d-bags due to low sperm count.  

As for the "saggers," well I see a lot of them in my neighborhood, and I can't think of a better way to make yourself look like a piece of shit. Success and "sagging" seem to have absolutely no connection with each other, so I can only assume when a person takes on this look they have given up on any chance for a productive life, happy to look like a d-bag, under the delusion of being a badass.

So, saggers and hipster/sk8r types frequent the mall?  Reminds me of the famous quote by Lisa Simpson: "So you're rebellious in a conformist sort of way."

Cork: How long did you wear that stocking cap?

A few years back working at HCMC in Mpls during my lunch hour, I wandered over to a park in the Stevens Park neighborhood. There I witnessed a pick-up full court BB game that included a couple "saggers" doing their very best to hold onto their trousers while playing. Ridiculous, comical, and dangerously frightening all at once.

I just consider them "wasters." You assume that instantly. Who else would they be? You can't have a good job if you're a sagger? Or can you?

I can take the sagging but please no hiking way up of the pants which leaves your belt too high. Also, I'm really tired of sweat pants or jammy pants while shopping!!! Skank.

I live in the thick of "the hood" in North Minneapolis.  People around here tell me that sagging originates from prison culture in which the sag is an invitation for prison sex.   I've heard this numerous times from different sources.   Not certain if it is true or not, but it certainly seems to be what folks believe to be true around here.

While having lunch at a food court in a mall in Colorado Springs a few years back, it occurred to me that sagging, baggy clothes are pretty much the ideal way to hide a weapon.  Especially when you're at a shopping mall in the middle of the day instead of a) at school or b) at your job*. 

And I concur with others that this fad gets its origins from prison culture, along with the tied-on do-rag, and oversized shirts that match bottoms with contrast stitching.  It's prison-issue.  I think those guys are soooo cool*.

*sarcasm