‘Flared leggings’ a.k.a. yoga pants are Gen Z’s favorite athleisure trend

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Fashion trends come and go, but the best ones make us feel nostalgic. Case in point: Gen Z is obsessed with flared leggings. But what TikTokers don’t realize is that flared leggings are actually one of the most era-defining fashion trends of the early 2000s.

The difference? Millennials called them yoga pants.

Are flared leggings just yoga pants rebranded or am I missing something?
— Danielle Mae (@df_purplelove) November 5, 2020

With brand like Hard Tail and So Low among the most iconic during the trend’s peak, modern athleisure brands have since reimagined the boot leg, body-hugging yoga pant and made it cool again. For example, Lululemon took it’s cult-classic Groove pants and relaunched it with new sweat-wicking and lightweight fabric, along with a super-high rise waistband.

Soooo apparently Gen Z are starting to wear yoga pants but they’re calling them FLARED LEGGINGS
— 𝕂𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕖 𝕃𝕖𝕘𝕒𝕥𝕖 (@katielegateYT) November 1, 2020

Emma Chamberlain, one of Gen-Z’s pioneering influencers, is partially responsible for the revival. After she posted a series of Instagram Stories wearing the pants, it seems like the rest of her generation followed suit.

Suddenly, “flared leggings” became the new it-style.

Seeing lots of “flared leggings” when it’s actually called yoga pants. Tucked into ugg boots. Respect your elders.
— suejin (@suejincho) October 15, 2020

Ahead, check out these flared leggings a.ka. yoga pants that will take you from workout class to brunch — and will also score you major cool points.