What are ‘legging legs’? Latest TikTok trend criticised for shaming women
“Legging legs” is a new phrase that has been trending on social media which has been heavily criticised for promoting unhealthy body ideals among women and young girls.
The new hashtag appeared on TikTok, where users have been posting images and videos of themselves wearing leggings.
Similarly to the “thigh gap” beauty standard that was pushed throughout the Noughties and beyond, the trend appears to celebrate a very specific and narrow body type that is largely unachievable for most people.
What are “legging legs”?
According to social media, “legging legs” are legs that are deemed desirable and socially acceptable in leggings.
Predictably, this aesthetic is confined to long, very slim legs, with a gap between the thighs and zero cellulite.
For the majority of women, such images are not achievable, realistic or healthy – and positioning such images as desirable has been met with anger and frustration by many users.
How did the trend start?
The trend began by users who met this beauty standard simply posting images of themselves on social media (predominantly TikTok) wearing leggings and tagging their post using the hashtag #legginglegs.
What has the backlash been?
The backlash to the trend has largely been swift and overwhelming.
Fitness trainer Rebecca McKenzie wrote: “It’s giving glorified eating disorder vibes.
“Do we understand that there are women and young girls online that wear leggings every single day, that now feel that they can’t wear them, because they don’t have ‘legging legs’?
“If you see this video and you have one of those videos up I suggest you take it down. For your own mental health and for all females that are going to come across these videos.
“Wear leggings, be proud, be confident.”
“If you have seen this on social media, it’s repulsing,” said therapist Holly Essler.
“Basically it’s a trend saying that if you have leggings and you wear leggings your legs have to look a certain way in them.
“Do not let social media tell your body that it is a trend. If you have a body and you have leggings, you have legging legs.”
“So much of TikKok is repackaging harmful beauty standards and gender stereotypes for a new generation and it’s sad to see ppl suckered into it,” wrote one user.
Other users who largely follow fitness accounts (known colloquially as “gym tok”) wrote, “I’m on gym tok so luckily for me, leggings legs I see are legs as big and strong as possible”.
Tom Quinn, director of external affairs of the eating disorder charity Beat, told i: “It’s disappointing to see harmful trends such as ‘legging legs’ circulating on social media.
“Whilst looking at this kind of content wouldn’t be the sole cause of someone developing an eating disorder, it could cause those already affected or vulnerable to carry out dangerous eating disorder behaviours.
“We’d encourage anyone struggling to step away from social media, block accounts or use the ‘Not Interested’ feature, and instead focus on positive sources of support, such as Beat.”
At any given time, at least 1.25 million people in the UK are struggling with an eating disorder, according to Beat.
If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.uk.
