Both Gen Z and Millennials Agree: If You're Going to Wear Leggings This Summer, Wear Them Like This, This and This
Our take
The resurgence of leggings, particularly as a summer staple, might seem like a predictable cycle, but the current styling approaches championed by both Gen Z and Millennials reveal a fascinating shift in how we perceive and integrate comfortable basics into elevated wardrobes. For years, leggings often carried a stigma – a casual, almost apologetic garment. Now, they're being embraced with a newfound confidence, styled not as workout wear confined to the gym, but as a foundational piece for creating surprisingly chic, everyday looks. This isn't just about comfort; it’s about intentionality and a quiet rejection of the fast-fashion, relentlessly trend-driven cycle. It echoes a broader movement towards valuing versatility and longevity in our clothing choices, a sentiment explored in I'm a Former Nordstrom Buyer—Sorry, I Tossed These 8 Popular Items From My Closet and Added These Trends Instead, where we see a conscious pruning of wardrobes in favor of considered investments.
The key to this summer’s leggings evolution lies in the styling. The article rightly points to the emphasis on layering and elevated accessories. Gone are the days of pairing leggings with oversized sweatshirts and sneakers. Instead, we're seeing them styled with tailored blazers, crisp linen shirts, and even delicate slip dresses – a testament to the power of juxtaposition. It’s about creating a sense of balance, grounding the inherent casualness of leggings with elements of sophistication and polish. This echoes the observations in ICYMI, Summer Has Hit London—7 Outfits the Capital's Best-Dressed Can't Live Without, where the London fashion scene demonstrates a keen eye for contrasting textures and silhouettes. The choice of footwear is also crucial - pointed-toe heels, structured sandals, and even loafers elevate the look, signaling a departure from solely athletic-inspired pairings. Ultimately, it's about creating an outfit that feels considered, not accidental.
This shift also speaks volumes about the evolving definition of “luxury” in contemporary fashion. It's no longer solely about the price tag or the brand name; it’s about the curation of a personal style that reflects confidence, intentionality, and an appreciation for quality over quantity. Investing in a well-made pair of leggings, and then creatively styling them to transcend their inherent casualness, is a powerful statement. It aligns with a broader cultural desire for authenticity and self-expression, rejecting the pressure to constantly chase fleeting trends. The focus on versatility and the ability to transform a single garment into multiple distinct looks is a hallmark of a truly sophisticated wardrobe, and resonates with the principles of mindful consumption highlighted in I Just Found Summer's Most Popular Pant Trends at Nordstrom—Here's What's Worth Buying. It's about owning your style, not being owned by it.
Looking ahead, it will be interesting to observe how this “leggings as elevated staple” trend permeates beyond the social media sphere and influences mainstream fashion. Will we see luxury brands increasingly incorporating sophisticated leggings options into their collections? Will the styling techniques evolve, introducing new and unexpected pairings? Perhaps the most significant question is whether this represents a lasting paradigm shift – a move away from disposable trends and toward a more sustainable and thoughtfully curated approach to dressing, where comfortable basics are elevated through deliberate styling and a quiet confidence. The future of fashion may very well be rooted in the unexpected versatility of a simple pair of leggings.
As a seasoned fashion editor, I’m often asked which summer capsule-wardrobe staple I couldn’t live without. Over the years, this answer has fluctuated. At various points, classic straight-leg jeans were my number one; adding a '90s polish to floaty blouses and graphic T-shirts. At others, it was a linen dress, a style so lightweight and breathable you’ll survive a heatwave with ease. But, for the past few years, my answer has unequivocally been the same: leggings.
The humble legging has undergone something of a style renaissance of late. Gone are the high-shine, primary-colour spandex beloved by the likes of Lisa Rinna and Jane Fonda during their iconic VHS workout-tape eras. Today, they’re less eclectic and more Pilates princess. And the prim pedal-pushers favoured by royals and A-list celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe are today more "model off duty" than anything else.
With everything from fashion-forward capris to Y2K-inspired foldover flares trending in summer 2026, what I love about this revival is that they genuinely feel cross-generational. So, whether you're Gen Z, millennial or part of Gen X, trust me: there’s a legging silhouette that will work for you. Need further proof? Mere weeks ago, I watched my 53-year-old mother (a woman who's typically quite trend-averse) saunter down the stairs in a cropped-capris-and-thong kitten-heel look—an outfit that could have been plucked from Hailey Bieber's warm-weather rotation.
After scouring my social media feed, I discovered there are quite a few styles both Gen Z and millennials are favouring; they're just styling them in different ways. Scroll down to discover the four leggings trends and how to wear them.
How Millennials and Gen Z Are Wearing Leggings in Summer 2026
1. Capris
Style Notes: After years on the sidelines, the reinvention of pedal-pushers as capri leggings has made them one of this season's most coveted buys. Perfectly balancing a '50s pin-up glamour with 2026 It-girl edge, their cropped finish elongates and elevates. Plus, the style looks particularly sleek with many of summer's most prominent trends, from heeled ballet pumps styled with linen shirts, minimalist flip-flops paired with baby tees and strappy sandals finished with 3/4-length tops.
Gen Z:
Style Notes: Leaning into stylish cuts and playful colours, Isabelle Coheen’s look is quintessentially Gen Z. From her cinch-detail denim jacket to her Sisters and Seekers Martha Carryall, the look oozes the playful energy synonymous with this set.
Millennials:
Style Notes: In a timeless ensemble, fashion designer Cass Dimicoo puts a fresh spin on capri leggings. By layering a relaxed button-down shirt over a fitted tank, she channels Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s signature understated elegance with ease. Finishing her look with a Bottega Veneta Andiamo clutch and strappy peep-toe mules, it feels both refined and modern.
Shop Capri Leggings:
These come in 16 shades.
Kendall Jenner is always spotted out in Adanola capris.
Lululemon makes some of the most comfortable leggings around.
If you're a curvier girl, you need to see Abercombie's Curve Love range.
2. Fold-Over Flared Leggings
Style Notes: A revived relic of the Y2K era, fold-over flared leggings have made a triumphant return thanks to vintage-style athleisure. Now a staple of summer wardrobes, the once "dated" silhouette offers both versatility and comfort, especially as the waistband can be manoeuvred to fit the wearer's comfort.
Gen Z:
Style Notes: Leaning into playful colour and bold proportions, Gen Z trendsetter Sofia plays with clashing hues, eye-catching prints and dynamic layering to give her Pilates look a distinctly youthful edge. Finished with biker-style sunnies and all-black Longchamp Le Pliage, the ensemble feels right at home on East London's eclectic streets.
Millennials:
Style Notes: Ever the minimalist, Kendall Jenner's fold-over flares look proves that millennial dressing is anything but beige. Opting for a neutral colour palette, she finished her Alo ensemble with a capacious suede tote and a fashion-person favourite (The Row City Sandals) for an on-the-go 'fit.
Shop Fold-Over Flared Leggings:
Cult brand Princess Polly has finally landed on ASOS, and its pieces are just as good as we remember.
Pair with flip-flops and a tank top.
Aquamarine is Gen Z's favourite colour trend this season.
Kylie Jenner has been spotted in this Skims set.
Who What Wear UK acting deputy editor Rebecca Rhys-Evans swears by this Sporty & Rich pair.
3. Full-Length Leggings
Style Notes: Whether you’re a gym girl or a Pilates princess, full-length leggings are a true year-round wardrobe hero. Adding warmth when layered beneath jeans in winter and perfect for the coffee run, their ultra-sleek silhouette has a transitional appeal. Plus, if you opt for trending lace or leather-look, you can take your outfit from day to night with ease.
Gen Z:
Style Notes: Choosing full-length leggings in a subdued grey, Gen Z fashion person Gigi Yasein plays with colours and shapes to create an unapologetically cool look. From her teal long-sleeved tee to her Mandarin-collared cape jacket and rounded wedge heels, it's a trend-focused look.
Millennials:
Style Notes: Choosing clashing colourways and playful textures, Veronica Campos' full-length-leggings-and-sports-bra look is fun, fresh and comfy. I especially love the pop of colour through her pastel-striped socks.
Shop Full-length Leggings:
M&S's Goodmove range is one of the best activewear lines on the high street.
The high waistband will help you feel comfy and secure at the gym.
Iconic.
The scuba material will feel like second skin.
No one does elevated casual quite as well as The Row.
4. Polka-Dot Leggings
Style Notes: This summer, we’ve seen a myriad of printed and textured leggings crop up on the style set. Think pretty pointelle capris or laced full-lengths; however, no style is quite as popular as polka dot. Whether you go for a cropped capri with a thong kitten-heel à la Hailey Bieber, or choose a vibrant ballet flat, their mood-boosting pattern breaks up the monotony of solid-colour activewear with vintage-inspired flair.
Gen Z:
Style Notes: From her windbreaker to the tied jumper and vintage red Chanel ballets, French It girl Marie-Victoire Tiangue's look is one to save for later. The jumper doubles as a practical layer in case the weather dips, whilst her polka-dot leggings add a playful touch of pattern. If you’re a maximalist dresser in search of some fresh inspo, this outfit is one to save for later.
Millenials:
Style Notes: Echoing Hailey's look, fashion person Nitsan Raiter proves that a three-quarter-length top and polka-dot leggings are a match made in heaven. The heels elongate her legs whilst the top keeps it casual enough not to feel overdone. It's definitely one to re-create this summer.
Shop Polka-Dot Leggings:
Make a statement at the gym in this set.
Who'd have thought butter yellow would pair so well with polka dots?
The also come in a white-and-black colourway.
Faithfull polka dots have been all over my social media feeds this summer.
How cool is this pair?
Read on the original site
Open the publisher's page for the full experience