Why do Londoners drop their pants on the tube every January?
Around 100 people stripped down to their underwear on the London Underground this past weekend for the annual No Trousers on Tube Ride. Because nothing says British eccentricity like pretending you’ve forgotten your pants on public transport.
It’s the most British thing you’ll see all year. While commuters shield their children’s eyes and pretend not to notice, around 100 people strip down to their underwear on the London Underground.
Welcome to the annual No Trousers on Tube Ride.
Sunday marked another year of this peculiar tradition, which has been running since 2009. The premise is delightfully simple: ride the Tube in your undies, wear your coat and scarf like everything’s normal, and confuse the hell out of everyone.
“The world is a rough place at the moment, and it’s lovely to have something that is just for the sake of fun,” organiser Dave Selkirk told reporters. Fair point, mate.
From Breakups to Dating Profiles
The participants had their reasons. William Skannerup, 32, joined after going through a “terrible breakup” and wanted to “do something different.”
His game plan? “To look as cute as possible and get a picture to use on my dating profile.” Respect.
Will, a 28-year-old marketing worker, admitted he “did some squats before” the event “to look good.” The commitment is admirable.
Mexican couple Daniela Garcia and Fran Ruiloba summed up the British spirit perfectly.
“I love it, it’s so cheeky, it’s so English,” Garcia said. “It’s not illegal but like pushing the envelope a little bit.”
Why “No Trousers” Not “No Pants”?
The event started in New York in 2002 as “No Pants on the Subway.” When it came to London, organisers had to rebrand.
“In New York, it’s called ‘No Pants’, but that means something different in London,” Selkirk explained. Where pants refers to underwear, obviously.
Participants are told to wear “low-key” lingerie so “it looks like you’ve just forgotten your pants.” Because nothing says British understatement like pretending your missing pants are an honest mistake.
As one father told his bewildered son aboard a Victoria Line carriage: “Nothing to see here.”
Just another Sunday in London, really.
Mark your diaries for next January. And comment below if you joined in or got caught up in the action.