Just when we thought the horrible and hurtful beauty standards we Millennials endured during the 2010s were past gone, new generations are bringing them back, throwing away years of healing and body positivity. One of those examples is what they are now calling the ‘Legging Legs‘ trend, which, let’s be honest, it’s no different from the ‘thigh gap‘ obsession or other horrible trends of the time.
Back in the day, young women and girls would go to extreme lengths to try to fit into the idea that no gap between the legs was horrible. This terrible blast from the past is now back with a new “hip” term, Legging Legs, but it’s equally painful and unhealthy as it was before. Perhaps social media mania makes it even worse as new generations are feeling pressured to fit this impossible standard.
Starting this year, the Legging Leg trend got a lot of attention on platforms like TikTok, where young women started sharing the hashtag #legginglegs and sharing some videos of themselves wearing yoga pants and showing off the gat between their legs. Fortunately, although the trend got traction quite fast, many users soon started to call out creators promoting this unhealthy fad.
The Legging Legs trend simply aims to tell women that they can only wear yoga pants if they have a gap between their thighs, making people believe that losing lots of weight is the way to achieve it. However, that couldn’t be more wrong, dangerous, and excluding. What happened to the time when we all agreed that all bodies are beautiful?!
This trend only spreads really toxic and outdated ideas about beauty standards, putting millions of young women in danger of developing serious disorders to fit in and damaging their self-confidence. Therapist Holly Essler, rapidly tackled the trend, pointing out the dangers of trends like this. Her video has now millions of views and tons of comments.
“If you have seen this on social media, it’s repulsing […]. 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,” shared Essler. The number of videos with the terrible hashtag is certainly alarming, especially considering that an important percentage of users on the platform are Gen Z and Gen Alpha female users.
After the controversy over the trend and the endless complaints, TikTok has decided to ban the hashtag #legginglegs from its platform. Now, if someone searches for the trend, they will only be redirected to the National Eating Disorder Information Centre and other resources to really understand the problems of eating disorders and body dysmorphia. But is that enough?
The Dangers of These Trends on Social Media
Let’s go through some data so this makes more sense! According to a study published in the PLOS Global Public Health, social media is guilty of leading people to body dysmorphia, mental health issues, and eating disorders. The amount of audiovisual content focusing on beauty trends and standards gives people the idea they have to look a certain way, even if it means risking their own lives.
Data from the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, show that 9% of the US population (meaning over 28 million Americans) will experience an eating disorder in their lives. The National Institute of Health found that in most cases body image concerns and insecurities are generated through social media. This can lead to eating disorders and other mental issues.
Yes, TikTok may have banned the hashtag from its platform, but how long will it take for this trend to take another name? If the Thigh Gap evolved into the Legging Legs trend it’s because people still think that there should only be one type of beauty allowed. Only banning the keyword doesn’t really eradicate the dangers of this type of thinking.
Last but not least, if you or someone close to you is going through some disorder or struggling with mental health, don’t hesitate to contact the Crisis Text Line (Text HOME to 741741), call the National Alliance on Mental Illness (1-800-950-6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website. You’re worthy and gorgeous!
