Leggings were once ubiquitous with gym wear, lounging essentials, and pandemic-era uniforms rolled into one. But is their reign actually ending? 

In this blog, you'll discover the latest consumer trends reshaping activewear, what younger shoppers and fitness brands are choosing instead, and how fashion founders, stylists and catalog managers, can stay ahead by adapting product assortments and storytelling with precision. With real figures and expert insight, we're unpacking whether leggings are fading from relevance and what comes next.

The Decline of Leggings: It's Real, and Data-Backed

● Younger consumers are moving on. According to Business of Fashion, leggings are no longer the go-to bottom even in the gym for rising Gen Z shoppers.
● Assortment share is shrinking. Edited analytics show leggings made up just 39% of bottoms across activewear brands in Q1 2025, down from 47% in 2022.
● Sales reflect flavor shifts. Free People Movement reports track pants have now overtaken leggings as their best‑selling bottoms style—marking a clear pivot to looser silhouettes.

The data paints a consistent picture: leggings are receding from dominance, replaced by wider, more relaxed activewear.

(Source: Business of Fashion)

Why Athleisure is Moving from Skintight to Loose

Gen Z Prefers Breathing Space

Younger shoppers increasingly reject the clingy, restrictive styles of millennials’ favorite gymwear in favor of comfort-forward shapes baggy pants, relaxed yoga trousers, and flared sweatsuits.

Shift in Exercise Mindset

Fashion coverage notes the shift toward gear that supports mood and movement over appearance: think linen trousers that double as pajamas or jersey pants you can teach yoga in and test on the street favoring ease over compression.

Stylists Reimagining Leotard Alternatives

Outfits have evolved beyond “leggings plus oversized tee.” In 2025, styling directions include pairing capri leggings with chain belts, kitten heels, trench coats, structured blazers even sock boots to elevate comfort staples into streetwear moments.

What’s Still Working? Leggings Trends Holding Strong

Select Leggings Aren’t Dead Yet

While overall share may be waning, well‑curated styles still have relevance:

• Burgundy and earth tones like sienna and chocolate are on-trend, offering muted alternatives to black and refreshing the palette for 2025.

(Source: ebonylouisefrancis)

• Flared or bootcut leggings are gaining streetwear credibility: Kaia Gerber, for example, matched flares with Ugg Tasman slippers for a stylish hybrid look.
  
  

High-Performance Appeal Remains

Certain leggings like Lululemon's Align line remain celeb-favorite wearables. Brittany Mahomes recently praised their soft, sweat-wicking fabric and pocketed design- showing that premium comfort continues to resonate.

(Source: GC Images)

Strategic Takeaways for Fashion Professionals

Catalog Managers & Buyers

• Refresh assortments by reducing tight-fit styles in favor of relaxed fit track pants, wide-leg bottoms, capris, and trousers.
  
  

• Use demographic accurate models to shoot for specific categories of leggings like “loose fit,” “flare,” “track-style,” “relaxed stretch,” and specific tones like “brown leggings.” will appeal more to the younger demographic but the classic designs and styles will appeal to an older or millennial demographic.
  
  

• Data visibility matters: track keyword searches for “baggy gym outfit” to predict preferred silhouettes.
  
  
  

Stylists & Content Teams

• Craft layered outfit stories: show leggings under skirts, with trench coats or cropped jackets and place flared styles in editorial alongside sock boots or loafers for editorial polish.
  
  

• Highlight tonal updates: Invest time shooting burgundy legging pairings with neutral hues, elevated with belts or tailored tops.

Brand Founders & Strategists

• Keep product ethics consistent: Leggings can still be part of sustainable or inclusive lines but position them as elevated pieces alongside lounge trousers or curated tech fabrics.
  
  

• Market lifestyle shifts: Emphasize breathable, multifunctional wearables designed for all-day movement not just workouts.

So, Are Leggings Over?

Short answer: Not completely but they’re no longer universal.

Leggings still deliver in premium comfort categories and niche styling, but their broad dominance is clearly waning. Activewear preference is shifting toward looser, fashion-forward, mood-conscious attire especially among younger consumers prioritizing ease and expression over compression.

Brands that treat leggings as one piece of a wider active-adjacent assortment (including capris, flared bottoms, track pants, and relaxed silhouettes) will best reflect the current consumer shift.

For fashion stylists, eComm/content teams, catalog managers, and fashion brand founders this is a pivotal moment. As leggings lose ground with Gen Z and activewear evolves, it’s your opportunity to lead the styling change. Refresh assortments, fine-tune your catalogues with demographic relevant models to increase visibility, relevance with the buyers, and weave storylines that balance comfort with modern polish.

Try out Ayna or request a free demo to elevate your activewear catalogue with specific and accurate models workflows.