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Actress Eva Mendes Inadvertently Causes An Uproar With Her Sweatpants Shaming

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There are many issues that can cause break-ups, but can sweatpants cause a couple to split?

A celebrity recently said yes, and the comment made headlines, CBS2's Jill Nicolini reported Friday.

Actress Eva Mendes says you can't do sweatpants, ladies. Why not? Because it's the "number one cause of divorce in America," she said.

In a recent interview the new mom said she doesn't wear them because it might turn off her boyfriend, actor Ryan Gosling.

"I don't think it would be the only cause. I think that you have to maintain yourself. You have to feel pretty, have to look pretty. You have to do a little bit of everything. It can't just be the sweatpants," fashion designer Julie Brown said.

New Yorkers who spoke to CBS2 on Friday were divided on the issue.

"Sweatpants are not very sexy," one woman said.

"You may put Victoria's Secret underneath it," another said.

"That's ridiculous. That should be the reason that people are together -- because you're comfortable," another said.

"I still think you should keep it sexy for your man," a woman said.

"No, it shouldn't matter what you wear. Your spouse should love you no matter what," another said.

"I'm married and I think my husband likes my sweatpants and it's so comfortable," another said.

One psychologist told Nicolini the real reason couples gets divorced.

"Finances and the hectic and stressful pace of life -- and expectations that the happy, newlywed kind of time is going to last far, far into the future," Alison Telsey said.

Asked what pet peeves they have about their men that would justify a divorce, New Yorkers got specific.

"Holes in your socks. That's just irritating! Why do all men have holes in their socks and underwear? They just don't care!" one person said.

"They wear something that's raggy, ripped shorts or something," another person said.

"When he wears it inside out and refuses to change," another added.

Earlier Friday, Mendes took to Instagram to set the record straight.

"Dear favorite pair of sweatpants," she wrote, "I was just kidding when I said you're the #1 cause of divorce. Everyone knows that orange crocs are the #1 cause of divorce."

Mendes went on to say it was a bad joke and that she felt terrible if anyone thought she was serious, Nicolini reported.

Gosling told his Twitter followers that this was all a joke and he made it clear that he was tweeting in his sweatpants.

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