There once was a time that dressing to exercise meant putting on clothes uniquely suited to the gym. If you were wearing sweatpants, you were exercising, and no one would dream of wearing sweatpants to grab lunch. But then athleisure trends took hold, while in parallel, technological advances in clothing materials introduced new, slimmer silhouettes. Thus, it became common to encounter people clad head to toe in Lycra or spandex, in nearly every arena of daily life.
Such casual apparel certainly has its appeal for many consumers, but the specific cuts associated with form-fitting gear do not sit, or fit, well with everyone. Embracing the goal of comfort, Gen Z is reinventing gym gear yet again, calling for baggier cuts, a wider range of options, and stylish alternatives that support their desire to make their carefully crafted look appear effortless.
Proponents of looser fits cite the sense of freedom they gain from deviating from prescribed athletic uniforms, as well as greater flexibility to take comfortable clothing from the streets to the gym without needing to change. Moving away from skin-tight clothing also supports ethical goals for greater inclusivity, and some feminists embrace the shift as a way to establish a clear rejection of the male gaze in favor of wearing whatever makes people comfortable, while doing strenuous physical activity.
Predictably, labels are taking note. Major brands have rushed to introduce new cuts and draping. Even Lululemon has slowly shifted away from its usual figure-hugging silhouette. But even as these trends are spreading, detractors claim the entire discourse is just one more reactionary pushback by Gen Z against all things Millennial. These users brought up Gen Z’s insistence on parting their hair in the middle rather than on the side, or preference for baggy jeans over skinny, both of which seemingly took hold overnight, and became a way for the younger generation to mock older Millennials.
As always, the echo chamber of social media has only amplified the discourse, making the voices on both sides of the conversation especially loud. But perhaps the solution is so boringly simple, it was easily overlooked: Everyone should just wear whatever they want.
Discussion Questions
- Is the loose clothing trend likely to persist, after the initial discourse dies down?
- How should brands like Lululemon, known for tighter silhouettes, adjust to changing trends? Should they completely pivot to cater to current preferences?
Sources: Madison Malone Kircher, “Millennials and Gen Z Are Fighting Again. This Time About Gym Clothes,” The New York Times, March 17, 2025; Destinee Scott, “Gen Z Is Ditching Millennials’ Favorite Workout Wear-Here’s What They’re Buying Instead,” PureWow, April 18, 2025; Kirsty Thatcher, “Leggings Are Out, Parachute Pants Are In: The Rise of Baggy Activewear,” RUSSH, August 29, 2025.