Low-hanging pants with exposed boxer shorts are high fashion for some young men in Bermuda and around the world.

Many jurisdictions around the world have implemented fines to battle the trend, calling it offensive.

This week Attorney General Kim Wilson sparked a debate when she raised the issue in the Senate. She decried the style, explaining in the Upper House that the trend originated in prisons where belts are banned. Young men began wearing their pants this way to emulate inmates, she claimed.

The Royal Gazette yesterday took to the streets of Hamilton to gauge public opinion. Some thought how a man wore his pants should be the least of the Island's worries. Others argued every individual has the right to dress however they choose.

"It cracks me up," said Michael Swain. "While it is my opinion that it sends the wrong message, I believe in freedom of expression. Some wear their pants like that as an artistic statement but people mature and things change."

Said Olivia Dunlop: "I think people should be able to dress the way they want. All it is is self expression. It's a free world – they can do what they want."

Michael Cardoso agreed: "It is just a style and that is all it is. It is fad that will come and go like anything else."

Others claimed saggy pants look sloppy and it is inappropriate to show one's underwear.

Rollin Nathan said that saggy pants are a symptom of a bigger problem in Bermuda.

"The whole problem is discipline," he said. "They don't keep themselves tidy because their parents do nothing about it. By not properly training young people to be respectable we are teaching them that this kind of behaviour is OK."

Alice Binns, a Bermudian living in the US, said saggy pants offend her. She said she sees the trend all the time in Alabama and is sad to see it spread to Bermuda.

"It really is terrible and I find it extremely offensive," the senior citizen said.

Mike Smith claimed that he would never allow his child to dress in such an "untidy" manner.

"I think it looks disgusting," he said. "How can these guys even walk with their pants like that? Maybe when I was younger I would be OK with it but I know that I will never allow my son to dress like that."

Mccoy Minors said he also would not let his son sag his pants.

"It comes from the prisons and the prison mentality," he claimed. "We all know what it really means and I would not let my son walk out of the house like that. I think that we need to start fining people who show their underwear."

Beverly Pitcher applauded Ms Wilson for saying something on the issue.

"I don't want to see anyone's dirty underwear," she said. "I am solely against it and I don't blame her for saying something. Somebody needs to do something somebody needs to pull up their pants."

Several young women said they would never date a man who dressed in such a way.

Melanie Lopes admitted that she is turned off by the style.

"I don't like it and I don't find it attractive," she said. "Why can't they just buy pants that fit them?"

Tonae Perinchief said it is an individual's right to express themselves anyway they please but she claimed saggy pants aren't her "thing".

"I am really not into it," she said. "I would never date a guy who dressed like that. People are entitled to dress how they want but it is not for me."

Said Sheniqua Hunt: "I think it looks tacky and it is not in style anymore."

Added Kira Kelley: "I think it looks sloppy and shows that the person wearing their pants like that doesn't care about their appearance."

Nelshea Bean said the style implied to her that the wearer didn't have much self-respect.

Said Tammy Ingham, the mother of a 23-year-old: "My son went through it. He is starting to grow out of it now that he is maturing. I think it is just a phase. I don't think it is a big issue although we need to encourage change."

Kirk Stapff agreed.

"What a trivial subject," he said. "I think it is just another style; everyone has their own style. They are just going through a stage in life and I am sure they will grow out of it."

Llewelyn Rogers claimed he has the right to dress anyway he likes.

"I pay for my pants so I can wear them how I want," he said. "Those people who don't like the style don't have to look at me. I am an adult, I have two kids and some money in my pocket. I am living my life how I choose why should anyone else care?"

His good friend Ronnie Pitcher said he used to wear his pants low but has since changed his style.

"I was tired of older people telling me to pull them up, so I just wear them higher now," he said.