We can thank scientists for our drawers full of leggings: Chemist Joseph Shivers created Lycra in a science lab, and by 1959 the first stretchy pants hit department stores. By the '60s, all sorts of designers were embracing the stretchy silhouette, but not quite in the way that we're used to today.
"The freedom and comfort offered by leggings in the '60s jived with the times, but they didn't have a widespread take because this was the era of Dolly Birds in mini skirts," Charlotte Fiell, designer historian and author of The Story of Design: From the Paleolithic to the Present, shares with Bustle. "That said, Andre Courrrges did create a number of collections that had space age connotations that featured body-hugging woolen leggings, and that led to their wider acceptance as a fashion item."
If you didn't want to wear something space age-y, then there was a different way to wear leggings at the time: As pants. They weren't form-fitting like pantyhose but, rather, were stretch pants with a sharp crease running down the leg.
"These were made for sportswear activities, as well as for wearing at home for housework, gardening etc," Jonathan Walford, fashion historian and curatorial director of the Fashion History Museum, tells Bustle. "Mary Tyler Moore wore them a lot in the Dick Van Dyke show — a style she apparently insisted was more realistic for a modern mom to wear at home than a house dress. Although apparently the TV censors weren’t sure if they were too sexy for TV, but the audience loved them." Even though there was a growing acceptance of slacks, the backlash against the form-fitting style was varied.
"Leggings came into fashion thanks to the youth quake, when young people truly decided that they did not want to dress like their parents and began experimenting more with fashion," Jose Blanco, author of Clothing and Fashion: American Fashion from Head to Toe, explains. "Pants in general were accepted for celebrities or for upper and middle class women living in the suburbs or vacationing in places where they were somewhat 'among equals.' It was also considered acceptable for younger women and girls in some cases. But wearing any type of pants — tight or otherwise — get you expelled from school or turned away from a restaurant."
FAQs
In the '60s, women traded last decade's poodle skirts for form-fitting leggings, often made from space age knits. Leggings made their way from Studio 54 in the '70s, all the way to Jane Fonda's workout videos in the '80s and up to Lindsey Lohan's style diaries in the early noughties. Yup: That's a whole lot of Lycra.
What are some interesting facts about leggings? ›
The Top 10 Fascinating Facts About Leggings
- Leggings Have an Ancient Origin: Leggings aren't a recent invention. ...
- The Evolution of Leggings: Leggings as we know them today have evolved significantly. ...
- Leggings Were Once Separate Garments: In their early days, leggings were two separate garments—one for each leg.
History. Leggings in various forms and under various names have been worn for warmth and protection by both men and women throughout the centuries. The separate hose worn by men in Europe from the 13th to 16th centuries (the Renaissance period) were a form of leggings, as are the trews of the Scottish Highlands.
Why did leggings become so popular? ›
This is largely due to the rise of yoga pants and the increasing emphasis on comfort in the fashion industry over recent years. Not only do leggings provide a great fit and flattering silhouette, but they also come in a variety of styles to suit any look.
Why did Gen Z cancel leggings? ›
The versatile piece can be worn for any outing, from ducking out to the shops or paired with some jewellery to wear on a night out. Now, Gen Z has cancelled the comfortable pantaloons, declaring them “cheugy” (for any non-Gen Z, this means outdated).
What is the point of wearing leggings? ›
Leggings are soft and unrestricting. They allow the leg to move freely and they feel exhilarating on the skin. Some might say leggings are even more comfortable than pajamas… although they give a neater appearance!
What makes the perfect leggings? ›
For workout clothes, lightweight fabrics that provide breathability and moisture-wicking properties are key. Look for leggings made from a combination of fabrics like polyester and spandex, or nylon and spandex, to provide both support and comfort during your workout.
Why do most girls wear leggings? ›
Here are the most common reasons why women wear yoga pants or leggings: Comfortable: Yoga pants stretch well and are snug to our body in a way that makes them very comfortable to wear all day and night long. Fits Perfectly: They perfectly fit the shape of the body, especially the butt.
How does Gen Z wear leggings? ›
Gen Z typically wears the pants in solid colors (they haven't brought overwhelming prints back, thankfully), and they sometimes opt for pairs that have slits at the ankle.
Why did the military wear leggings? ›
Gaiters: Also called leggings, gaiters served to keep dirt out of the shoes and to protect the legs in rough terrain. They were worn over trouser legs and stopped just below the knee. Gaiters were black wool or painted black canvas with a button closure on the outer side and a strap under the boot.
In 2024, leggings remain an indispensable item in the fashion repertoire, offering countless styling possibilities. They provide the perfect amalgamation of comfort and chicness, suitable for various occasions.
Why do leggings go baggy? ›
Perhaps you got the wrong size and the size you're wearing is just too big. Perhaps the elasticity in your leggings has worn down from constant wear and tear, causing them to no longer hug your hips.
Does anyone still wear leggings? ›
Indeed, leggings remain on-trend in 2024. The staple black legging is a season-less classic wardrobe staple and a must-have in 2024. At Lysse, we love our signature center seam legging & the denim legging! Why do we love them?
Why are Gen Z not wearing bras? ›
“Emotionally and psychologically, not wearing a bra can be a statement about how you want to present yourself to the world, and also how you want to cover up very normal body parts,” she said. Dober said many women feel “liberated” by not wearing a bra, which is a sign of young women wanting to reclaim their “agency.”
What is replacing leggings? ›
I wear linen pants a lot as a direct alternative to leggings (I wear leggings daily for various things). My favourite pair of linen pants is a couple of years old, and although I don't count the amount of times I wear clothing, they are far and above the item that I would wear the most.
Why is Gen Z quitting? ›
In addition to feeling the least engaged in work, Gen Z also finds their responsibilities uninspiring. Gen Z workers report having the least meaningful work (14%) and least autonomy at work (21%) compared to other generations, who are more fulfilled and have more autonomy.
How old are leggings? ›
Following the invention of Lycra (aka spandex) by chemist Joseph Shivers in 1958 and the first Lycra leggings made in 1959, the fashion industry embraced the slim, stretchy pants in the '60s, with designers like Mary Quant and Emilio Pucci even pairing them with the decade's mod shift dresses.
How many wears do leggings last? ›
There's no hard and fast rule for how many times you can wear clothing again, but experts say there are a few types that should be washed after every use: underwear, socks, tights, leggings and activewear. This advice also applies to any other clothes with stains, sweat, odor or visible dirt, Mohammed said.
What are most leggings made of? ›
Nylon is the most popular fabric used in leggings and is stronger than polyester.
How long are leggings usually? ›
Most of the popular lengths of leggings are capri, midi length (or commonly referred to as 7/8 length) and full length leggings.
