TikTok Creators Share Empowering Messages To End 'Legging Legs' Trend

Disguised as a new term, "legging legs" reignites the harmful obsession with a specific body type once glorified as the "thigh gap."

The body shaming trend is targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha and gaining in popularity on TikTok. Many TikTok users have set out to squash this body image trend and send empowering messages to the younger generations.

A mom of teenage girls, TikToker Shannon Cole shared her thoughts on the "legging legs" trend and why it needs to be stopped.

"I just saw a post about 'legging legs' and I think I might start crying," she began her video. "I am so angry, and so hurt that this is even a topic on social media."

Cole went on to explain that this topic should "not be promoted" and should be "blocked" and "banned."

"This is a catalyst for eating disorders," she continued. "I have teenagers. I have an almost 14-year-old and almost 18-year-old and they're both dancers. They already struggle with their body dysmorphia."

She then explained that she came across a video promoting "legging legs" and said "you can look it up." We tried to look it up in the search box on TikTok, but came up with this:

Seeing this message must mean that TikTok is taking this trend seriously and not allowing anyone to search for it on the app now.

Many of Cole's viewers shared their thoughts on the trend in the comment section of her video.

"This is the third video today I've seen about it. We ride at dawn, Gen X and Millennial friends!!" one person wrote. Another added, "If your legs fit in leggings then they are legging legs. End of story! I can’t believe in 2024 we are STILL body-shaming other women like this. Oh wait, yes I can 🤦🏻‍♀️."

Another viewer shared, "You did amazing speaking up about this subject. People don’t realize how harmful ED is or how often it can happen, even if the child doesn’t have a phone. It needs to be talked about more. 💜"

Another TikTok creator, Not Sophie Silva, shared a similar take on the "legging legs" trend taking over social media.

"Call me crazy, but like, 'legging legs' are just a glorified version of the 2014 Tumblr thigh gap that literally annihilated the mental health of every single young woman who was in middle school at the time," she said. "So, let's not do that again. Let's not do that again. Let's not go back there."

Silva said if you want to wear leggings, do it, adding, "your legs look beautiful in them, no matter what."

Many viewers of Silva's video shared their thoughts on the trend.

"I used to be so scared to wear leggings for this very reason lol I didn’t start until like my sophomore year 😭," said one person. Another added, "Literally… my legs were my very first point of insecurity as a girl and I still find it hard to accept them 😔."

Another TikTok creator, who's a therapist, also shared her thoughts on the trend in a video.

"This is a therapist's thought on the whole 'legging legs' trend. If you have seen this on social media, it's repulsing. If you have not seen it on social media, you're lucky," she said. "Basically, it's a trend saying that if you have 'legging legs' and you wear leggings your legs have to look a certain way in them. This is disgusting. Do not let social media tell your body that it is a trend."

In the comment section, the creator, Holly Essler, answered a question about why she's speaking out on this trend as a therapist.

"Body image is a concern that may come up in a therapy session. I would hope other therapists would have similar views on body positivity, healthy body image and overall body autonomy❤️," she said.

Many viewers shared that they are wearing leggings no matter what anyone says.

"Thank you for speaking up against these toxic trends that lead girls to so much insecurity and worse 💔," wrote one viewer. Another added, "We’re cancelling toxic trends."