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[h1]Harlem inventor has an unbelievable answer to a ‘sagging’ problem[/h1]
By Jennifer H. Cunningham, Daily News Staff Writer
A Harlem inventor has created a device to keep saggy pants low - but not too low.
Part garter belt and part suspenders, the "Subs" gadget fastens around the waist like a belt and is connected to expandable straps that clip onto pants, regulating how low-slung they are.
Inventor Andrew Lewis, 43, of Hamilton Heights, said he came up with the idea after watching men in drooping trousers struggle to keep them up as they climbed the steps at the 145th St. subway station.
"Sagging is a huge issue in my community," he said. "I spent a lot of time observing and I noticed that even for saggers, there is a point which even they're not comfortable with how their jeans were falling."
Lewis said he hopes the $30 fashion accessory - which is available in some stores as well as online at www.hatchventures.com - will help bridge the gap between saggers who want to express themselves through fashion and critics who say the trend shows off underwear and looks unprofessional.
The sagging pants fashion trend has created controversy in recent years, with state Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) putting up billboards blasting the trend and several communities in the South outlawing drooping pants.
On 125th St., sagging pants wearers were largely in favor of the new device.
"It'll probably help some people whose belts aren't doing the work," said Armani Garcia, 20, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. "Or, they could just buy their pants in the right size."
Joanna Suddreth, 38, of White Plains, said after struggling to keep her 18- and 12-year-old sons' pants up, she's glad to find a device that will do the work for her.
"I know what to get [them] for Christmas," she said.
And vendors gave them a thumbs up.
"This is actually a good idea," said street vendor Kendu Howze, 52, of Harlem. "You would be able to maintain the swag appearance without constant readjustment."
- By New York Daily News – Thu Dec 16, 8:27 am ET
By Jennifer H. Cunningham, Daily News Staff Writer
A Harlem inventor has created a device to keep saggy pants low - but not too low.
Part garter belt and part suspenders, the "Subs" gadget fastens around the waist like a belt and is connected to expandable straps that clip onto pants, regulating how low-slung they are.
Inventor Andrew Lewis, 43, of Hamilton Heights, said he came up with the idea after watching men in drooping trousers struggle to keep them up as they climbed the steps at the 145th St. subway station.
"Sagging is a huge issue in my community," he said. "I spent a lot of time observing and I noticed that even for saggers, there is a point which even they're not comfortable with how their jeans were falling."
Lewis said he hopes the $30 fashion accessory - which is available in some stores as well as online at www.hatchventures.com - will help bridge the gap between saggers who want to express themselves through fashion and critics who say the trend shows off underwear and looks unprofessional.
The sagging pants fashion trend has created controversy in recent years, with state Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) putting up billboards blasting the trend and several communities in the South outlawing drooping pants.
On 125th St., sagging pants wearers were largely in favor of the new device.
"It'll probably help some people whose belts aren't doing the work," said Armani Garcia, 20, of Brownsville, Brooklyn. "Or, they could just buy their pants in the right size."
Joanna Suddreth, 38, of White Plains, said after struggling to keep her 18- and 12-year-old sons' pants up, she's glad to find a device that will do the work for her.
"I know what to get [them] for Christmas," she said.
And vendors gave them a thumbs up.
"This is actually a good idea," said street vendor Kendu Howze, 52, of Harlem. "You would be able to maintain the swag appearance without constant readjustment."
