Is the ‘reign of leggings’ really over? Here’s what Australian brands have to say
image via @pinkyandkamal/instagram
words by daisy henry
Are we really ditching Lycra?
Form-fitting activewear has been the uniform of choice for Pilates, yoga and most exercise classes for decades – so much so that its influence has grown to surpass the realm of exercise, even. Working from home, or running to the shops? Slip on some leggings, runners and you’re good to go.
Our universal love for activewear seemingly reached a peak during Covid, with plenty of local brands reporting booming sales over Australia’s lockdown.
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But that was then, this is now. In July this year, Business of Fashion boldly declared “the reign of leggings” over.
“The slow fade of leggings from their once-dominant perch in the athleisure hierarchy is in no small part driven by a generational divide,” author Cathaleen Chen wrote. Leggings are the telltale signs of millennials, she explained, while Gen Z gravitate towards oversized, slouchier workout clothes.
“For these younger consumers, comfort isn’t about stretch — it’s about ease, looseness and a kind of anti-polished attitude that reverses the decade-long supremacy of immaculately matching colour-blocked sets,” Cathaleen argued.
Her words definitely strike a chord. Back in July, I interviewed Good Times Pilates teacher, Georgia Lucy, about her popular ‘wearing anything but Lycra to teach Pilates’ TikTok videos.
Rather than skin-tight leggings and crop tops, Georgia spoke about the importance of dressing in what makes you feel comfortable. For her, that typically involves drapey blouses, loose pants and natural fibres. “Sometimes, as a bloated girlie, I just want to wear a pair of baggy pants,” she said.
Her sentiment is echoed all over TikTok. There’s a seemingly endless list of people sharing videos of their own oversized and baggy gym outfits. Whether it’s for comfort, convenience or a simple act of defiance, consumers’ taste in activewear definitely feel like they’re shifting.
But is that enough to declare leggings over? Wanting to get an inside take, I reached out to three Australian activewear brands to see if these changing trends reflect a tangible change in sales.
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So, have brands noticed a shift?
Nagnata is a Byron Bay luxury fashion and lifestyle brand that sits at the intersection between activewear and leisurewear. The label has long offered both ends of the spectrum, from form-fitting seamless leggings to track pants, and its recent foray into denim.
Though they’ll always remain a core part of Nagnata’s collections, the brand did notice a small dip in leggings sales over the winter months. “Much of our business is still seasonal. A warmer Australian winter likely contributed to consumers gravitating toward lighter, looser pieces,” head of Marketing Verena Lukas says. Alternatively, track pants continued to grow in popularity.
“Another factor influencing this is that we have never offered very tight [or] uncomfortable Lycra activewear. [Instead, we] allow our customers to work out in natural, non-toxic fibres,” she tells me. “Our customers train in yoga, Pilates, and daily movement. Sometimes they want the more supportive compression of a legging, sometimes they prefer the ease of a loose pant.”
Rather than abandoning a category, Nagnata’s approach is instead to refine and expand.”You’ll continue to see both styles evolving each season, with some exciting new track pant options in the works.”
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Australian label Pinky and Kamal have had a similar experience. The brand is known for its unique take on activewear, with asymmetrical cuts, one-shoulder long sleeves or cut-outs. Though Pinky and Kamal stock form-fitting leggings and tops, it’s expanded its ready-to-wear range with boxy T-shirts, track pants and wrap cardigans.
The brand has noticed a slight drop in leggings sales, but brand manager Lucia Townsend-Sim says there’s been an uptick in flared cuts and alternative styles. “We’ve definitely noted a shift in recent years,” she explains.
“People are opting more and more for natural fibres, too, whether it be for the feel, breathability, or the long-lasting nature of the fabric. There’s also been a huge demand for styles that are wearable both to work out in but also cross as a ready-to-wear piece you can style.”
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Lorna Jane has long been a go-to for people all over Australia looking for traditional activewear styles. However its latest collection has introduced lounge shirts, utility jackets, denim pants and boxy three quarter shorts into the rotation.
“Form-fitting leggings are still a bestseller for us and will always be a cornerstone of our brand, but there’s definitely a lift in more relaxed silhouettes and lifestyle pieces,” founder Lorna Jane Clarkson tells me. “Wide-legs, flares, and our iconic Flashdance pant collections are having a real moment again.”
“We’re also seeing more layering happening with lightweight over-shirts and lifestyle pieces that take you seamlessly from a workout to coffee with friends. It’s that mix of comfort and versatility that’s really resonating right now.”
Team leggings or loose pants?
Rather than paying too much mind to trends, Lorna emphasises the importance of offering people a choice. Just as you don’t have to don a matching lycra set to the gym, you don’t have to wear a drapey blouse and pants, either.
Inevitably, some people will prefer sweat wicking materials, while others will always opt for loose and breathable fibres. Maybe, instead of it being about choosing one or the other, there’s a word where leggings and parachute pants can exercise side-by-side in harmony.
For more on activewear and the environment, try this.
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