Gen Z Thinks Leggings Are Over—Here's What They're Wearing Instead

I have it on good authority: Gen Z are officially over leggings. This probably won’t shock you. After all, the generation has built much of its fashion identity around a love of slouchy, Y2K-inflected silhouettes—most notably, wide-leg jeans and roomy trousers. Against that backdrop, the once-ubiquitous second-skin legging feels like an outlier.

But here’s the thing: leggings have always filled a crucial slot in the wardrobe—a comfort-first, throw-on-and-go option. So, what’s stepping into their place? Journalist and Substack writer Casey Lewis has been tracking the shifts, spotlighting the trouser trends currently owning that sacred space.

So, what are they wearing instead? From dance-inspired swish to deliberately slouchy staples, here are the new go-to’s Gen Z are reaching for.

4 Anti-Leggings Trousers Gen Z Are Buying Instead

1. Loose, Dance-Style Trousers

Style Notes: Once, an entire drawer might have been reserved solely for leggings. Today, it’s being overtaken by swishy, voluminous trousers with a distinctly ’90s dance-class vibe. Equal parts retro and easygoing, the silhouette has fast become a Gen Z staple. Pair them with baby tees and fitted tanks for a nostalgic throwback, or with a sporty jacket for a modern, athletic edge. Either way, they’ve become the uniform of off-duty 2025.

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2. Uncuffed Sweatpants

Style Notes: Say goodbye to cuffed joggers—Gen Z are all about the looser, drapier “uncuffed” trackpant. It’s easy to see why: the relaxed cut is infinitely more comfortable, and they double as a chic stand-in for jeans when running errands. Worn low-slung with a fitted tank or tee, these track pants read effortless and cool—without the annoyance of cuffs creeping up the calves.

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3. Faded Black Jeans

Style Notes: Blue denim still has its place, but black jeans have seen a major surge in popularity this season. The appeal lies in their grungier, undone vibe—perfectly in line with Gen Z’s taste. Rather than a polished, inky black, the preference is for washed, lived-in shades that hover just shy of grey. They bring an edge to even the simplest outfits and slot seamlessly into the “casual but intentional” look dominating right now

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4. Long Shorts

Style Notes: Sorry, Daisy Dukes. Gen Z’s short of choice barely qualifies as a short at all. Hems are dropping lower and longer, blurring the line between shorts and trousers. Think knee-grazing, loose-fitting silhouettes that give outfits a slouchy, androgynous twist. A quick scroll through the Instagram feeds of anyone born post-’96 proves it: the era of the micro-short is over.

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