High Water Pants Poor

High Water Pants Poor

High Water Pants Poor--boy's legs and bare feet wearing tight, ripped, and too short jeansAll my life, I heard people talk about high water pants. They meant pants that were too short. Sometimes they bought them without trying them on for a proper fit. In most cases, they had either outgrown them or washed them until they shrank

When children outgrew their pants and families could not afford more, they were high water pants poor.

They had to make do until they could do better.

High water pant legs stop above the ankle.

I never considered that a fashion statement. However, many people desire high water pants. In fact, I have worn them without realizing they fit the definition. Various names include:

  • Capris
  • Cropped pants
  • Flood pants
  • Ankle pants
  • Kick flares
  • Clam diggers
  • Pedal Pushers

Like ripped jeans, what was once a sign of poverty became a fashion trend.

The high water pants poor are often richer than they think.

Like the dirt poor, they enjoy wealth beyond measure if they have:

  • Safe housing
  • Food for every day
  • Access to medical care
  • More than one change of clothes, fashionable or not
  • Family and friends who love them

Money cannot buy the greatest riches.

Peace, love, hope, and joy do not depend on stylish clothes or financial gain. Those signs of success never last. Rather, true riches come from following Jesus and finding new life and purpose in Him.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV).

Thanks to Ona Buckner Sidebottom for the suggestion and to Karen Atwood for the photo.

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10 thoughts on “High Water Pants Poor

  1. Excellent post, Diana! I’d heard of high water pants but didn’t know the full expression. Thanks also for reminding us of the real meaning of wealth—our new life in Christ! Blessings to you!

    1. Thank you so much, Kim! Apparently, many of us are more familiar with the first part of the expression. If we remember our true source of wealth, our outlook changes and our generosity increases. Blessings.

  2. I’ve heard the expression often, but didn’t associate it with being poor. I guess I took it literally. Being a farm girl, we often waded in the creek and rolled our pants up as needed. Thank you for reminding us that our personal possessions or clothes are not what truly matters.

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