In the ever-evolving world of fashion, the latest casualty in Gen Z’s style revolution appears to be leggings. Once a staple in the wardrobe of Millennial women, these soft, stretchy, all-purpose pants have been dethroned from their unofficial position as the go-to attire for those born between 1981 and 1996, especially during their teenage years.
Following the previous assault on skinny jeans, leggings are now the latest victim of Gen Z’s discerning fashion sense.
Leggings, often the go-to choice for a myriad of occasions, whether paired with a going-out top and chunky jewelry for dinner or a hoodie for a quick run to the store, have been officially canceled by Gen Z’s style gurus.
Described as “chuegy,” a term signifying something outdated, leggings are now relegated to the status of a fashion relic from the Victoria’s Secret sale at the mall, deemed unworthy of a place in the modern closet.
As the torchbearers of fashion, Gen Z isn’t leaving a void; they have a replacement ready—enter “flared leggings,” or as Millennials once affectionately called them, yoga pants.
This revelation comes courtesy of Gen Z style icon Hannah Brown, a TikToker who humorously dubs herself a “hot girl anthropologist.”
Drawing inspiration from the “hot girls of TikTok,” a group of young trendsetters who have made the app their style playground, Brown has become a conduit for the latest fashion dictums.
In a recent viral video, Brown showcased her outfit for running errands, featuring Air Force Jordan lows, black leggings, a chunky knit sweater, and a tote bag, prompting the question, “What are we wearing to run errands?” Gen Z’s swift response: leggings are out, and the new in-thing is flared leggings or yoga pants.
The couture-conscious commenters of Gen Z showcase their preferred styling, pairing the tight yet comfortable bottoms with platform UGGs or Birkenstocks, a crewneck sweater, and delicate gold jewelry—an ensemble hailed as the “holy combo.” Flared leggings, much like their predecessor, offer versatility. They can be dressed up or down to suit various occasions, ensuring that anyone can look and feel good in this Gen Z-approved attire.
Distinguishing today’s flared leggings from the yoga pants of yore, Gen Z favors solid colors with a thin waistband, eschewing the bright eccentric prints and thick waistbands that characterized Millennials’ choices. Beyond leggings, Gen Z is orchestrating a revival of “Y2K trends,” ranging from the embraced—slip dresses, popcorn shirts, and flip phones—to the less enthusiastically received—micro miniskirts, over-plucked brows, and low-rise jeans.
As Gen Z continues to redefine fashion norms, their influence may soon extend beyond the realm of style into broader cultural trends. With the oldest members of Generation Alpha entering high school, the cyclical nature of generational shifts suggests that Gen Z may soon find themselves at the receiving end of cultural critiques. As one astute observer from the older generation noted, “We’re gonna be made fun of so bad.” The fashion landscape, it seems, is in a perpetual state of flux, with each generation leaving its unique mark on the canvas of style.
