What Common Clothing Is Banned In North Korea?

What common clothing is banned in North Korea? It's one you'd never expect. You might be thinking thong underwear, bikini bathing suits, or some sort of crop tops because they show off skin. That would make sense.

However, this banned piece of clothing doesn't fit that description. It's a staple in our closets here in America--so much so that it's actually the reason the article of clothing is banned in North Korea in the first place!

According to The Guardian, jeans are the common piece of clothing that's banned in North Korea. Yes, jeans! We wear them on the regular, and for that reason they're out in North Korea.

Alan Titchmarsh is an English gardener and broadcaster who is well-liked in the authoritarian country due to his calm demeanor and wholesome image. Even he was surprised to learn of his celebrity in North Korea. The Guardian reports Titchmarsh said, "I never imagined that my programmes would reach North Korea, but hopefully the calming nature of British gardening will be well received there." It seems like it has been! Minus one little inconvenience.

Recently, however, people have been noticing something strange about his appearance on the North Korea television broadcasts--his pants are censored with a blur. What? Why? Is he naked? Is his thing accidentally out? Why would they blur that area? In America, we're accustomed to seeing a blur over nudity. However, that's not the case in this scenario. They're simply burring out his jeans!

Turns out, jeans have been banned in North Korea since the early 1990s because they are seen as a symbol of US imperialism, per The Guardian.

It's not just jeans that North Korea is cracking down on. The Guardian reports that the regime has also been seeking to limit other "capitalist" fashion including skinny jeans, t-shirts with foreign words, and dyed or long hair.

Check out the example of Titchmarsh's censored jeans below!

Sometimes, fashion just doesn't make sense. I don't choose what's popular, I just have to go along with it. These are 5 of the most questionable fashion trends of 2023.

We were introduced to some strange fashion trends in 2023. Some other fashion trends from the past also made a comeback this year.

I am not a fashionable person. Love me some sweatpants and hoodies. However, if these items are what's in style, then I think I'm perfectly find not being fashionable.

Some strange clothing items became popular in 2023 for a number of different reasons. You can blame TikTok, you can blame Taylor Swift, you can even blame nostalgia. Again, just don't blame me.

I've gone through some photos and videos and have identified 5 questionable fashion trends from 2023. To me, these stood out as the strangest. However, there were much more popular trends that didn't make the list. It's hard when you stick to only five!

Some of the popular trends that didn't make the list this year include Tabi shoes, Y2K, ballet flats, jean maxi skirts, and more, according to Huffpost. Tabi shoes were very polarizing in 2023. They're a split-toed shoe inspired by traditional Japanese work shoes from the 15th century.

It seems like Y2K is popular every year, and this year was no exception. We saw cargo pants, metallic colors, oversized shades, and platform shoes make a big comeback in 2023.

Also, ballet flats were flat out everywhere in 2023. There were tons of options and choices available to buy. You could get them bedazzled, with a bow, silk, suede, corduroy, anything you could possibly want! Seems like they could also pair well with most outfits. It's like the shoe equivalent of the little black dress.

Well, those items didn't make the list of the 5 most questionable fashion trends of 2023. Here's what did make the list.

Going without pants was big in 2023. Sort of reminds me of the trend in the 90s that was pointed out in Seinfeld where women were going without a shirt, only wearing their bra. I prefer to go out with my pants on.

Opera gloves were a major fashion choice for celebrities on the red carpet this year. Thankfully, it's just a red carpet thing and people didn't start wearing long opera gloves to work. That would be a strange choice. However, for a formal event they look pretty good. Something sleek and sexy about them. Or is that just me?

You probably saw a few micro bags this year. Perhaps you even own one. I'm not judging. Everything is getting smaller, and that includes purses, evidently. The days of giant bags are behind us...until they come creeping back.

Thanks to celebrities like Harry Styles, fringe was huge this year. You had the funky futuristic fringe and the traditional western fringe in fashion. I don't think I could pull it off, but it would be fun to have those dangling sleeves.

Friendship bracelets were massive in 2023, and all fingers go towards Taylor Swift for that one. People bought them by the dozen for her concerts and movie. Even I have one. What am I doing??