Current:Home > Scams'You have legging legs': Women send powerful message in face of latest body-shaming trend -Capitatum
'You have legging legs': Women send powerful message in face of latest body-shaming trend
SafeX Pro View
Date:2025-04-05 13:27:40
Thigh gaps are back and resurfacing on the popular social media site TikTok under a new name "legging legs."
The new trend is targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha users as it gains traction with its hashtag.
On TikTok, many of its users can be seen shown posting videos of them wearing yoga pants, backing up to show their bodies in full view and pointing out their thigh gaps that are, "the best look in yoga pants."
Many users, primarily women, are bashing the trend calling it "hurtful," a "new insecurity," and a reminiscent of the 2014 "body image" posts that circulated on Tumblr.
In 2014, many young girls viewed posts on social media, primarily Tumblr, which showed women standing up straight, their feet together and showing a small gap between their thighs. Girls who did not have a thigh gap were to be considered fat and felt pressure to loose weight in order to fit into the ongoing trend.
Bill to ban minors from social media:Terminating youths' accounts, passes Florida House
TikTok users unite to stop new thigh gap trend
"This is disgusting," said Holly Essler, a clinical therapist, in a TikTok post. "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. Wear the leggings, be proud, be confident, you have legging legs."
One content creator, who goes by Emily, called social media very toxic and the trend “the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”
“Do we understand that there are 15-year-old girls that wear leggings every single day that now feel that they cannot wear leggings because they don’t have ‘legging legs’?” she asked the trend makers in her TikTok post.
Another user talks about the impact the 2014 Tumblr thigh gap trend that impacted many school-aged girls who pursued that image.
"Let's not do that again," Soph said in her post. "Lets not go back there. If you want to wear leggings, wear leggings. Your legs look beautiful in them no matter what. Leggings are leggings and legs are legs."
'The kind of stuff that lives with you'
One parent was almost brought to tears after hearing about the legging legs trend. Shannon Cole, a mom of teenage girls, says this trend can lead to serious issues like eating disorders, something she went through in her life.
"We're talking about treating a [expletive] thigh gap like it's a trend. It's not a trend. Eating disorders are not [expletive] trends." Cole said in her post. "If you see this video and you have one of those videos up I suggest you take it down. For you own mental health and for all the young women that are going to come across these videos."
Cole said this trend could cause young girls to have body image issues when seeing these types of videos online.
"This is the kind of stuff that lives with you," Cole said.
veryGood! (551)
Related
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Jared Goff stats today: Lions QB makes history with perfect day vs. Seahawks
- The real women of 'Real Housewives of New York City': Sai, Jessel and Ubah tell all
- Judge in Michigan strikes down requirement that thousands stay on sex offender registry for life
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Louisiana governor supports bringing back tradition of having a live tiger at LSU football games
- Katy Perry wears zippered bag dress to Balenciaga's Paris Fashion Week show
- Lady Gaga Details “Amazing Creative Bond” With Fiancé Michael Polansky
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- As heat rises, California kids are sweltering in schools with no air conditioning
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Pennsylvania county manager sued over plans to end use of drop boxes for mail-in ballots
- Attorney says 120 accusers allege sexual misconduct against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
- Harris will tour Helene devastation in Georgia, North Carolina as storm scrambles campaign schedule
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Pete Rose, MLB's all-time hits leader who earned lifetime ban, dead at 83
- This Law & Order Star Just Offered to Fill Hoda Kotb's Spot on Today
- Details from New Mexico’s lawsuit against Snap show site failed to act on reports of sextortion
Recommendation
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
Peak northern lights activity coming soon: What to know as sun reaches solar maximum
CVS Health to lay off nearly 3,000 workers primarily in 'corporate' roles
California governor signs law banning college legacy and donor admissions
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
Bowl projections: College football Week 5 brings change to playoff field
The real women of 'Real Housewives of New York City': Sai, Jessel and Ubah tell all
Sephora Hair Sale: Save Up to 50% on Top Products Like Vegamour Hair Gro Serum & Living Proof Dry Shampoo