"If You Wear Leggings, You're a Mom Now"...What Are Generation Z Wearing These Days?

Generation Z Turns Away from Leggings
"If You See Leggings, It's Probably a Baby Boomer"
The Fashion Industry Races to Keep Up with the New Trend

Leggings, which have enjoyed overwhelming popularity as both everyday wear and activewear for women over the past 20 years, are rapidly losing their footing. Instead, loose-fitting, wide-legged pants are quickly emerging as a new trend, particularly among Generation Z (those born roughly between 1995 and the early 2010s).

On August 18 (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, "Leggings, which have been popular for over 20 years, are giving way to oversized pants," adding, "Recently, women who work out are wearing parachute pants that make a rustling sound, paired with short tops, reminiscent of 1990s dancers or the group TLC."

Generation Z is not wearing them... "If you see leggings, it's probably a baby boomer"

Leggings stock photo. Getty Images

Krissy Jones, who runs a yoga studio in New York, told the media, "The leggings trend is over," and added, "Most of my recent students wear tank tops with loose pants." Jones, the head of Sky Ting Yoga, said, "When my 37-year-old friend recently asked me which leggings to buy, I replied, 'We don't wear leggings.' If you wear leggings, you're a baby boomer," she said.

At the center of this change is Generation Z. The perception is spreading that loose-fitting pants, which cover the silhouette and offer greater mobility, are more stylish and comfortable than form-fitting leggings. Emily Oberg, founder of the fashion brand Sporty & Rich, commented, "Women with good figures actually look more attractive hiding themselves in loose clothing than in tight activewear."

The fashion industry races to keep up with the new trend

Parachute pants. Lululemon website

Sales data backs this up. According to an April report from data analytics firm Edited, leggings accounted for 46.9% of activewear pants sales in 2022, but this year have plummeted to 38.7%. The WSJ diagnosed, "The era of leggings is coming to an end."

Experts believe this trend is not simply a shift in fashion, but reflects a change in consumer values. The consumption patterns of Generation Z, who prioritize diversity, self-expression, and comfort, are clearly evident in the activewear market. This is expected to drive changes in product planning and marketing strategies across the industry.