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Leggings are several types of leg attire that have varied through the years. Modern usage from the 1960s onwards has come to refer to elastic close-fitting high-rise garments worn over the legs typically by women, such as leg warmers or tights. Usage from the 18th century refers to men's wear usually made of cloth or leather that is wrapped around the leg down to the ankle. In the 19th century, leggings usually referred to infants' leg clothing that were matched with a jacket, as well as leg-wrappings made of leather or wool and worn by soldiers and Trapping. Leggings prominently returned to women's fashion in the 1960s, drawing from the form-fitting clothing of dancers. With the widespread adoption of the synthetic fibre Lycra and the rise in popularity of aerobics, leggings came to further prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, and eventually made their way into streetwear. Leggings are a part of the late 2010s into the 2020s athleisure fashion trend of wearing activewear outside sporting activities and in casual settings.
The linen pantalettes worn by girls and women under in the mid-19th century were also a form of leggings, and were originally two separate garments. Leggings became a part of fashion in the 1960s, as trousers similar to capri pants but tighter.
During World War II, United States Army foot soldiers were referred to as legs by paratroopers and other U.S. forces that did not wear the standard Army leggings issued with the field service shoe. Late in World War II, after experiments with the general issue of high-top and for soldiers, leggings began to disappear from military service. In 1943, the United States Army modified their field service shoe by adding a taller leather upper that reached to the lower calf; secured by a combination of laces and buckles, the new design was designated the Type III Field Boot. However, the United States Marine Corps retained canvas leggings throughout the war, and used them in combat as late as the Korean War; Marines were referred to as Yellow Leg troops by North Korean and Chinese Communist forces.
Men's leggings, dubbed "meggings" (a portmanteau of the words "men" and "leggings") were presented as the latest fashion trend for men at spring/summer 2011 fashion runways, supposed to be styled and layered beneath shorts and preferably with large, baggy, loose or long tops such as .
have been wearing male leggings under shorts as a fashion item since the 2010s.
There have been a number of instances of people wearing leggings as pants who have been restricted or criticized for their actions. In 2013, schools in Sonoma County, California, banned students from wearing them as outerwear,Callahan, Mary (April 11, 2013) "Petaluma, other schools crack down on girls' leggings worn as pants" The Press Democrat as did a Massachusetts school in 2015.Khoo, Isabelle (September 1, 2015) "School 'Bans' Yoga Pants and Leggings, But Not for the Reason You Think" . Huffington Post. Schools in Oklahoma, Illinois,Culp-Ressler, Tara (February 11, 2015) "Proposed Bill Has Everyone Confused About Whether You Can Arrest People For Wearing Yoga Pants" ThinkProgress and North Carolina have enforced or suggested similar dress codes.Associated Press (May 25, 2016) "North Carolina school looks to ban skinny jeans, leggings" New York Post A state legislator in Montana introduced a bill in 2015 intended to ban leggings and yoga pants.
In March 2017, three children flying on a company pass were barred from boarding a United Airlines flight by a gate agent who decided that their leggings were inappropriate. United Airlines defended its position, while rival airline Delta Airlines stated via Twitter that leggings were welcome on its flights; United said in a statement that it does not bar regular female passengers from boarding if they are wearing leggings.Stack, Liam (March 26, 2017) "After Barring Girls for Leggings, United Airlines Defends Decision" The New York TimesZorthian, Julia (March 27, 2017) "Delta Encourages Fliers to Travel in 'Comfort' Amid United’s Leggings Ban Controversy" Fortune Although some public figures, including actress Patricia Arquette and model and actress Chrissy Teigen, were critical of United's decision, a survey encompassing 1,800 travelers carried out by Airfarewatchdog found that 80% of their respondents backed the airline's decision to ban "inappropriate clothing", although the term was not defined in the poll.Paul, Kari (April 8, 2017) "Most travelers say people wearing ‘inappropriate’ clothes shouldn’t be allowed to fly" MarketWatch
Restrictions on wearing leggings is sometimes linked to slut shaming or body shaming, with critics noting that "...not being able to wear leggings because it's 'too distracting for boys' is giving us the impression we should be guilty for what guys do."Dockterman, Eliana (March 25, 2014) "When Enforcing School Dress Codes Turns Into Slut Shaming" Time
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