Gen Z fashionistas have declared a war on what they term 'millennial cringe,' starting with the much-maligned skinny jeans. Now, according to a new report by the Wall Street Journal, another long-standing wardrobe staple, leggings, has been deemed out of style.

This shift is not merely a preference but a significant market trend, as retail analyst group EDITED revealed in its report titled 'The Death of Leggings,' showing a decline in leggings sales from nearly 47 percent of all athleisure bottoms in 2022 to just 38.7 percent this year.

This declining demand has even impacted giants like Lululemon, whose iconic yoga pants, once a favorite among celebrities likeOlivia Rodrigo and Kim Kardashian, have seen a slowdown in growth. The emerging trend favored by Gen Z is a stark contrast: loose-fitting sweatpants or baggy workout pants paired with a tight vest.

Photo Credit: Vogue Business

Celebrity Commentary

Emily Oberg, founder of Sporty & Rich, articulated this new aesthetic, stating, “A super fit girl hiding her body under baggy clothes is more appealing than skimpy, tight workout clothes.” The popularity of this style is evident, with Vogue reporting an astronomical 400% surge in Pinterest searches for “baggy gym outfits” over the past year, and Nike, a top brand for Gen Z, actively embracing the trend.

However, this new fashion directive has met with strong opposition from fitness enthusiasts and gym regulars who argue against the practicality of oversized clothing during workouts. Many have voiced concerns, with one commenter challenging, “Try a spin class in big pants and see what happens.” Others emphasize the functional limitations, stating, “You can't hold a crow pose or not slip off the reformer wearing slippery, baggy pants.”

Fitness influencer Kira Stokes further elaborated on this, asserting that baggy pants would receive a “big 'F'” for functionality in activities like running, cycling, jumping rope, or high-intensity interval training, underscoring that “Leggings are only dead if you care more about being on trend than the actual workout.”

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Conclusion

The scope of Gen Z's fashion influence extends beyond just activewear. The generation is also taking aim at various other 'millennial' items. Popular interior design shades like sage and olive have been rebranded as “millennial green” and deemed passé.

Formal footwear such as stilettos has been declared out of style. Furthermore, fast fashion brands, includingShein and PrettyLittleThing, are now a significant no-no. Instead, Gen Z is emerging as a more conscious consumer base, opting for ethical choices by engaging in thrifting and utilizing second-hand apps like Vinted and Depop, as noted by UK-based stylist Rochelle White.