The reign of the skin-tight, high-performance legging appears to be over. A new generation of consumers is staging a sartorial rebellion in gyms and on high streets across the UK, trading in the once-dominant Lululemon gear for a distinctly retro alternative: the baggy tracksuit.
The End of an Athleisure Era
For years, brands like Lululemon and Gymshark defined the athleisure market with their sleek, sculpting leggings and technical fabrics. This ‘second skin’ aesthetic became the unofficial uniform for fitness enthusiasts and school-run parents alike. However, market analysts and trend forecasters are now reporting a dramatic decline in their popularity with the crucial 18-25-year-old demographic.
Why Gen Z is Embracing the Baggy Look
This shift is driven by more than just a fleeting fashion whim. Industry experts point to several key factors:
- Comfort and Inclusivity: The loose, relaxed fit of tracksuits and joggers offers a more forgiving and accessible silhouette, moving away from the body-conscious pressure of compression wear.
- The Y2K Nostalgia Wave: Gen Z’s obsession with early-2000s culture, fuelled by social media platforms like TikTok, has rehabilitated the once-maligned tracksuit, making it a coveted symbol of cool.
- Rejecting ‘Old Money’ Aesthetics: The minimalist, often expensive, ‘clean girl’ or ‘quiet luxury’ look is being challenged by a more casual, relatable, and expressive style.
- Versatility: A matching tracksuit effortlessly transitions from a workout session to a coffee run without a change of clothes, perfectly suiting a generation that values practicality.
The High Street Responds
UK retailers are capitalising on this trend with remarkable speed. High-street giants are now filled with racks of colourful, fleece-backed matching sets, offering an affordable entry point into the trend compared to premium sportswear brands. This accessibility is accelerating the trend’s move from niche to mainstream.
What This Means for the Market
This isn't just a change in hemlines; it's a significant market disruption. Established brands that built their empires on legging sales are being forced to re-evaluate their collections and marketing strategies to stay relevant. The power has demonstrably shifted to a new generation of consumers who value comfort, nostalgia, and individual expression over brand prestige alone.
The humble tracksuit, long relegated to the back of the wardrobe, has been resurrected as the unlikely champion of a generational shift in how we dress to move.
