London commuters were treated to an unusual sight as dozens of residents boarded the Underground without trousers, proudly showing off colourful underwear, winter coats and accessories as part of the annual No Trousers Tube Ride. The light-hearted event, often dubbed London’s “pants-less day”, turned routine train journeys into moments of laughter, with fellow passengers smiling, staring in disbelief, and snapping photos.
Despite freezing January temperatures, participants went all out with creativity. Some paired bright underwear with tuxedo jackets or trench coats, while others opted for beanies, scarves, and even bold puffer jackets. The idea was simple: look completely normal, except for the missing trousers.
What Is No Trousers Tube Day?
The event is organised by Improv Everywhere, a New York–based comedic performance art group known for public pranks under the slogan “We Cause Scenes.” The concept began in New York City in 2002, when seven participants boarded the subway wearing winter clothes, but no pants. The prank quickly gained popularity for its absurd yet harmless humour.
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By 2006, participation in New York had grown to around 150 people, though eight were briefly handcuffed for disorderly conduct. Over time, authorities and commuters became more accustomed to the spectacle, allowing the event to flourish worldwide. Today, No Trousers events are held in nearly 60 cities, including Berlin, Prague, Warsaw and London, usually every January.
London first embraced the No Trousers Tube Ride in 2009, and it has since become a symbol of the city’s quirky spirit. Participants are instructed to act as if they don’t know one another and to behave normally on public transport, maintaining the prank’s original deadpan humour.
For many, the event is about more than comedy. Basil Long, a lawyer, paired a thick winter coat with bright pink underwear and a rainbow-striped shirt. “I just saw it online and thought, why not?” he said. Chef Miriam Correa described her participation as a stand against rigid beauty standards, declaring, “I am a real woman. All bodies are perfect.”
Planned largely through social media and grassroots organising, the No Trousers Tube Ride continues to attract people of all ages and backgrounds. For a few hours each year, Londoners ditch convention, along with their trousers, and turn the daily commute into a shared, unforgettable moment of joy.
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