How Gen Z and Millennials Are Wearing Leggings in Summer 2026

As a seasoned fashion editor, I’m often asked which summer capsule-wardrobe staple I couldn’t live without. Over the years, this answer has fluctuated. At various points, classic straight-leg jeans were my number one; adding a ‘90s polish to floaty blouses and graphic T-shirts. At others, it was a linen dress, a style so lightweight and breathable you’ll survive a heatwave with ease. But, for the past few years, my answer has unequivocally been the same: leggings.

The humble legging has undergone something of a style renaissance of late. Gone are the high-shine, primary-colour spandex beloved by the likes of Lisa Rinna and Jane Fonda during their iconic VHS workout-tape eras. Today, they’re less eclectic and more Pilates princess. And the prim pedal-pushers favoured by royals and A-list celebrities like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe are today more “model off duty” than anything else.

With everything from fashion-forward capris to Y2K-inspired foldover flares trending in summer 2026, what I love about this revival is that they genuinely feel cross-generational. So, whether you’re Gen Z, millennial or part of Gen X, trust me: there’s a legging silhouette that will work for you. Need further proof? Mere weeks ago, I watched my 53-year-old mother (a woman who’s typically quite trend-averse) saunter down the stairs in a cropped-capris-and-thong kitten-heel look—an outfit that could have been plucked from Hailey Bieber‘s warm-weather rotation.