The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

They might look innocent (and stylish) enough. But hear ye the simple story of how I came to know - the hard way - of my new running tights' nasty, little secret. (The culprit is as right.) Upon first inspection, the Adidas Response running Capri had all the features I sought of my autumn running gear: coverage, Coolmax, and spiff - thanks to Adidas's fashionable triple racing stripes. Without second thought (and without trying them on, as a matter of fact) I tossed off my credit card and walked away happy with my purchase. It wasn't until after that first run in my new pants, when I was doing butterfly stretches along with other members of my running group, that I noticed the "anatomical mesh insert" at the crotch. Come to think of it, I had caught a spectacular wind around Lake Harriet that day.

Here, I demonstrate the see-through crotch by holding the pants to a red lamp in my living room:

It's nothing that can't be solved by black undies. But I couldn't help but wonder: How far will the establishment will go in keeping women's thighs locked together. I mean, skirts and dresses are one thing. But must our exercise apparel, too, be so precarious?