Leggings have been a staple fashion item for women for decades now. While trends come and go, leggings have remained popular due to their versatility and comfort. However, some have wondered if leggings are starting to go out of style. Let’s take a look at the history of leggings and their current status in women’s fashion.
The History of Leggings
Leggings first emerged as part of women’s fashion in the 1960s. These early leggings were made of stretchy fabrics like spandex and were often worn for athletic activities. In the 1970s and 1980s, leggings became a basic accessory, often worn under skirts or dresses. They allowed women to stay warm while still being stylish.
In the 1990s, leggings exploded in popularity. They were now being worn on their own as pants. Leggings became a wardrobe staple, available in a wide variety of colors, prints, and fabrics. Major fashion designers started creating leggings and they dominated the runways. The 1990s cemented leggings as a versatile fashion item that could be dressed up or down.
In the 2000s and 2010s, leggings remained extremely popular. New innovations in fabrics like compression material and faux leather brought even more varieties of leggings. Athleisure wear also became a major trend, making leggings the perfect pant for both the gym and everyday wear. More varieties of leggings emerged such as jeggings, which looked like denim jeans.
Are Leggings Going Out of Style?
Despite their long reign as a fashion staple, some have wondered if leggings are finally going out of style. There are a few factors that have contributed to this question:
- Rise of mom jeans – Mom jeans and loose denim are back in style. The baggy silhouette is the opposite of the form-fitting leggings look.
- Athleisure on the decline – With people returning to offices, athleisure wear and gym clothes like leggings are less necessary.
- Y2K fashion revival – Trends from the early 2000s are coming back in style, when low-rise jeans and trousers were popular over leggings.
- Cottagecore movement – Cottagecore emphasizes a romantic, vintage aesthetic that leggings don’t match.
However, while these new fashion movements may threaten their dominance, leggings are still widely worn and sold. They likely won’t disappear completely from women’s wardrobes.
The Case for Leggings
While new trends arise every season, there are some classic reasons why leggings remain popular year after year:
- Comfort – Leggings are stretchy and lightweight, providing maximum comfort.
- Versatility – Leggings can be dressed up or down seamlessly, worn for working out or for a night out.
- Fit – Leggings fit and flatter all body types.
- Easy to wear – Pull-on leggings require minimal effort compared to jeans or trousers.
- Moisture-wicking – Leggings made of moisture-wicking fabrics keep you cool and dry.
For these reasons, leggings have become a wardrobe basic for many women. Even if they aren’t the most cutting-edge item, their simplicity and usefulness endure.
Leggings Sales Trends
Looking at recent sales data also indicates that the demand for leggings is not going away. According to market research company NPD Group, leggings sales grew by 7% in 2021. Over the past two years during the pandemic, leggings sales rose by 11%.
In addition, leggings dominated the apparel industry in terms of items sold. Leggings made up 17% of all women’s apparel units sold in 2021. That’s more than any other women’s apparel item type.
Activewear brand Lululemon, known for its popular leggings, also saw its shares rise by 47% in 2021 as sales of its legging designs grew. All of this data supports that leggings are still widely purchased and not going away anytime soon.
| Year | Leggings Sales Growth | Share of Women’s Apparel Units Sold |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7% | 17% |
| 2020 | 14% | 16% |
The Forecast for Leggings
While fashion continually evolves and new trends arise, leggings are poised to remain popular for the foreseeable future. Here are some predictions for leggings in women’s fashion:
- Leggings will remain a staple for athleisure wear as people continue to embrace casual and comfortable clothing.
- Innovations in fabrics, dyes, and prints will result in new legging styles that keep the item feeling fresh and on-trend.
- The growing popularity of outdoor activities like hiking and cycling will drive demand for technical leggings with moisture-wicking capability.
- Leggings will continue to dominate sales thanks to their affordability and accessibility at all price points.
- Celebrities and influencers wearing leggings will contribute to their continued relevance in fashion.
Leggings have become such a wardrobe basic that they are unlikely to fade from popularity completely. Even if they exist alongside new styles like mom jeans or ’90s trousers, leggings have become too practical and versatile for most women to give up.
Conclusion
While some new fashion trends may threaten their ubiquity, leggings are here to stay for the long run. Sales data and their continued presence in women’s wardrobes demonstrate their enduring role in fashion. Leggings have simply become too comfortable, convenient, and accessible for the majority of women to abandon them completely. Though legging’s dominance may wane as fashions change, they will remain a closet staple. Their versatility and comfort mean leggings are far from being out of style.