I wouldn't laugh too soon, either.
I never had any, but the comments are interesting to me.
Is it the stirrup elastic, or was it the styles available then? A lot of the comments about inseam and stride and taper and so on may be independent of the stirrup part. What if they were re-done, different fabrics, different designs and cuts?
Isn't it kind of like a bodysuit--there would be design and comfort factors and what's above the waist. And certain people may have more problems with tucking and creeping and all that.
And there is who should and shouldn't wear them, and how, as with any fashion item, using "fashion judgement", of course, recognizing "it's a free country".