First, it was trousers — low-rise and tight, or high-rise and baggy? Then, it was socks — ankle or crew? Now, another generational style divide is emerging, this time in the gym. On TikTok, a quiet fashion skirmish is playing out in activewear, with Gen Z increasingly side-eyeing the ultra-fitted sets that defined millennial workout style.
In a series of viral videos using a popular ‘approved’ audio clip, users rate their gym outfits. And the verdict is clear: for many younger creators, the once-coveted tight-on-tight silhouette is starting to feel outdated, “middle school” even.
Search data suggests this shift is more than just a passing TikTok fad. “Searches for ‘baggy gym outfits’ on Pinterest have risen over 400 per cent in the past year, predominantly among 18 to 24-year-olds (58 per cent),” says Molly Rooyakkers, founder of data-driven fashion account Style Analytics. Interestingly, the trend appears to be highly localised to the US — a reminder that even digital fashion discourse often plays out along regional lines. Still, Rooyakkers argues Pinterest is a strong indicator of long-term interest. “It’s where people go to plan their future wardrobes. So this data tells us baggy gymwear isn’t just a fleeting aesthetic — it’s something people are looking to wear, style and buy.”
Retailers are seemingly already taking notice. In 2022, oversized activewear made up 84 per cent of stock online, according to retail intelligence firm EDITED. That figure has since dropped to 65 per cent, while looser bottoms and outerwear are on the rise, up 50 per cent year-on-year. “Nike, one of Gen Z’s favourite brands, is leaning in hard,” says EDITED retail analyst Krista Corrigan. “They’re now the leading supplier of women’s oversized activewear silhouettes.”
Meanwhile, the era of leggings may be losing its grip. In 2021, leggings accounted for 47 per cent of activewear bottoms across major retailers. Today, that number has fallen to 32 per cent, as wide-leg trousers, joggers and even skirts begin to muscle in, according to data provided by EDITED. “Activewear and fashion are becoming increasingly intertwined,” says Corrigan. “We’re seeing fashion retailers introduce performance styles, while sportswear brands are experimenting with more trend-led silhouettes.”
