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We'll Always Have Leggings—But They're No Longer the Main Character

Key Takeaways

Leggings were a ubiquitous fashion staple in the late 2000s and early 2010s, but today, product stats and street-style feeds suggest these ultra-comfortable pants are experiencing a decline in popularity.
Today, new options for elevated comfort are reigning supreme, such as wide-leg pants and stirrup and split-hem leggings styles.

Most of us have a vivid memory of leggings' reign across fashion and pop culture in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Comfortable yet bold, they truly met the moment's craving for elevated athleisure, championed by students, models-off-duty, and busy women about town.

But while leggings remain an option, they no longer have the mandate they once did. There's been a shift in both retail and relevance. In 2022, leggings accounted for nearly half of what brands sold; by 2025, that share had fallen to around 39 percent, according to Edited, which tracks online product assortments. At the same time, fashion trends are leaning toward looser, roomier silhouettes—a direction that reflects where we are now and what's coming next. Ahead, we tapped style experts for their insights on the great rise and fall of leggings, from design changes to the alternatives taking their place.

Meet the Experts

Christine Arra is the founder of Arra NYC and a former designer for Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan.
Dina and Elana Solomon are celebrity wardrobe stylists.
Taylor Dedeaux is the founder of the fashion and lifestyle Substack, The September 18.

The Heyday of Leggings

I vividly remember when leggings became the main character. It was 2008, and at my all-girls school, my friends and I decided they no longer belonged solely under dresses and skirts. This was, of course, a bit taboo at the time—even in the gym. Nike running shorts reigned supreme, and the closest thing to a fitted yet comfortable silhouette was the fold-over yoga pants from Victoria's Secret Pink, which I still think about fondly as a true millennial diva.

It took a moment for leggings to recapture the energy of the '80s aerobics craze or the slim, classic Hollywood look of the '60s. By 2010, though, the pants were officially back at the fashion forefront thanks to stars like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Rihanna, Kendall Jenner, and Gigi and Bella Hadid. Their paparazzi shots served as outfit inspiration, giving us an edgy-meets-sensual formula: Leggings + a leather jacket + moto boots (or sneakers) = instant hit.

Getty Images / Byrdie

As time went on, other iterations emerged: leggings with a blazer and heels, or topped with a statement coat. The off-duty piece turned wardrobe staple completed each outfit seamlessly while prioritizing comfort and style. The COVID-19 pandemic only further cemented their status, as everyone gravitated toward athleisure and loungewear. In the years since, they've found new life through pop culture moments like Kim Kardashian's Balenciaga pantaboots era in 2021 and, more recently, Pluto's viral hit "Whim Whamiee," which famously name-checks Lululemon. But as we approach 2026, I can't help but notice that leggings just don't hold the same power they used to.

Leggings Reimagined

Leggings have had to adapt. While their traditional format remains a fitness staple—especially as Pilates and Lagree remain as much status symbols as workouts—leggings as a fashion item have had to work harder. They've needed to become "more elevated," says Arra, the founder of Arra NYC. "My customer is still looking for comfort, but with sophistication. They want something they can wear casually or dress up, depending on how they accessorize. Plus, there are so many brands out there that offer the same thing."

These days, there needs to be an element of surprise—a show-stopping detail that doesn't feel overdone—to make a pair of leggings feel worthwhile. "It's become more difficult to corner the market," Arra says. "It's saturated, and there's an increased need for people to feel like they're dressing up." This has led to the revival of stirrup leggings: their fabric wraps around the foot, making the look memorable. The same goes for split-hem leggings, which draw attention to your shoes, giving you a reason to show off a pointed-toe silhouette or ballet flats in a wild color.

@itskarolinacruz / Instagram

It's all part of a larger push to reimagine what leggings can be—and stylists (and sisters) Dina and Elana Solomon say that shift is playing out on both the streets and the runways. "They've been repurposed," they tell us. "On the fall 2025 runways, we're seeing leggings resurfacing in reimagined, luxurious formats. Gucci's show, for example, showcased velvet leggings with rhinestone logos, turning the gym basic back into a fashion moment."

There's a clear desire to polish things up, and the Solomons say that instinct has fueled the current obsession with capris. "It's a subtle but meaningful pivot," they explain. "Capri-length leggings are gaining traction. They're thicker than the ultra-thin iterations we saw before, almost pant-like, and the cropped inseam makes the leg appear longer."

@maysbastoni / Instagram

The Oversized Era

While the quiet luxury aesthetic is fading into the background, a focus on understated sensuality—an effortless cool factor—remains abundantly present. Along with logo-free pieces, we're seeing more clean lines and flowy silhouettes, leaving little room for leggings.

"When leggings reemerged in the 2010s, society was all about embracing thinness, thigh gaps, and ultra-fitted shapes," the Solomons say. "Leggings were often styled with cropped tops, tight tanks, painted-on bottoms—looks that locked out a lot of women. The implication was very much to show the leg, show the gap, and show the contour." Though we can (unfortunately) argue that being skinny is still the agenda, it's not quite the same. "Now it's looser but still sleek," the sisters add, pointing to details like pockets, panel seams, and the growing trouser revival as signs of a move toward balance and polish.

That shift is especially evident among Gen Z, which gravitates toward "a more relaxed, expressive form of ease," according to Taylor Dedeaux, founder of fashion and lifestyle Substack, The September 18. "People my age are looking for pieces that still feel comfortable but communicate intentionality," she explains. "There's a quiet move toward structured yet relaxed silhouettes that feel polished without trying too hard. The rise of barrel and balloon silhouettes reflects this shift perfectly—they carry the same comfort that leggings once did, but they feel more current and expressive. It's a different kind of minimalism—less about sleek perfection, more about ease, volume, and movement."

@katiesfitz / Instagram

For Dedeaux, the change is as emotional as it is aesthetic. "Leggings became synonymous with the body-conscious era—tight silhouettes and gym culture," she says. "Now, Gen Z is quietly rejecting that uniform. There's a noticeable switch toward clothing that feels breathable and effortless, pieces that don't make you hyper-aware of your body. The emphasis has moved from appearance to ease, from shaping the body to simply being in it."

The Post-Leggings Climate

Leggings will always have their place, Dedeaux says. "They've reached a point of timelessness where they exist beyond the typical trend cycle," she tells us. "Even when they're not in the spotlight, they remain an essential." There will always be people who prefer a slimmer silhouette—just like those who hold onto skinny jeans. But now, there's a broader range of options that still prioritize comfort, just in a flowier, more breathable way.

@abimarvel / Instagram

If you're looking for a leggings replacement for everyday wear, the Solomons suggest "jeans that feel like joggers" or "bootcut trousers with stretch fabric or an elastic waistband." The sisters add that harem or genie pants are "trending," offering a relaxed yet playful style statement. And for those still wearing leggings, it's all about how you style them: "Pair them with oversized jackets, chunky socks, platform trainers, or kitten heels to elevate the look," they advise. At the end of the day, the field of comfortable pants has simply diversified, so we all have endless ways to look casually chic—leggings or otherwise.

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