LONDON — Keep an eye on the trousers, or rather the lack of them.
On a chilly Sunday afternoon, countless Londoners descended into the Underground, shedding their pants and embarking on a humorous adventure as if nothing was amiss.
This quirky gathering, known as the Official No Trousers Tube Ride, has become an annual tradition aimed at adding some lightheartedness to the dreary winter season.
There is no underlying agenda or serious meaning behind this bizarre spectacle; instead, the sole intent is to engage in frivolity, even if it is only for a single afternoon.
“The world has a lot of negativity, and not enough joy,” remarked Dave Selkirk, a 40-year-old personal trainer who helped organize the event. “It’s refreshing to do something just for amusement.”
After assembling in Chinatown, a group of adventurous participants braved the cold as they made their way to the Piccadilly Circus Underground station, where their journey truly began.
However, the crowded trains posed a small challenge, with some individuals unable to remove their trousers due to the packed conditions.
Amid the laughter and joviality, selfies were snapped, cheerful exchanges took place, and bemused tourists watched the unusual scene unfold.
This whimsical tradition traces its roots back to a similar event launched in New York City in 2002 by comedian Charlie Todd.
Todd’s entertaining concept was simple yet amusing: What if someone boarded a subway train in the dead of winter, dressed warmly except for their pants?
In fact, the terminology differs between the U.S. and London, as ‘pants’ refers to trousers in the UK, while ‘pants’ in America typically signifies undergarments.
“It would definitely be a sight in New York, even though our subway sees all kinds of antics,” Todd explained in an interview. “What would really make it comedic is if, at the next stop, more individuals entered without trousers, acting as if it’s completely normal.”
Todd’s brainwave gained traction, and similar no-pants events have since taken place across several cities including Berlin, Prague, Jerusalem, Warsaw, and Washington, D.C.
The first significant no-trousers ride in London was held in 2009.
“Essentially, it’s all about having harmless fun,” Todd reflected. “In today’s atmosphere of cultural battles, my fundamental rule was to entertain others and evoke laughter. This event is not meant to provoke or irritate; it aims to spread joy.”
Among the participants was Basil Long, a lawyer who showed up dressed in a warm coat and hat for the freezing weather.
Once underground in the Tube’s warm tunnels, he transformed into a vibrant figure, sporting a white shirt decorated with flamboyant rainbow stripes, bright pink underwear, and Underground-themed socks.
“I stumbled upon it online and thought, why not participate?” he remarked. “It’s the same type of question you’d get from someone climbing Everest — just… why not?”
Miriam Correa, a 43-year-old chef, had her own motives for joining the fun.
She was inspired by images of past events that predominantly featured slim, minimally clothed women.
“I am a real woman,” Correa confidently stated, emphasizing that everyone should embrace their body shape. “All bodies are perfect.”
