Why The Backlash Is Growing For 'Legging Legs'- The Fashion Trend Promoting Toxic Beauty Standards

In today’s world, social media may occasionally give the impression that everyone is attempting to express themselves. But there are numerous pressures of looking and being a certain way too. Fair skin, big eyes, a perfect jawline, sharp nose, pouty lips, a slim figure, and whatnot. Setting body and beauty standards is highly encouraged these days. The fact that appearances can be deceptive is familiar to many people but is acknowledged only by a few.

TikTok’s ‘legging legs’ is such a phenomenon which became a cause of concern for young girls since it is making women experience negative emotions over their physical appearance.

In the beginning, this movement was nothing more than a light-hearted joke from the television program Gilmore Girls, but it rapidly evolved into something ‘harmful’. Along with it came an unhealthy and limited conception of beauty since the trend dictates that only those with long, thin legs should dare to wear tight-fitting leggings.

After the trend gained momentum, many individuals on social media, particularly on TikTok, started speaking out against this detrimental practice. The criticism is generating millions of views and kicking up conversations.

Many are concerned about the impact that this trend will have on them, like Suzanne Baum, lifestyle writer and micro-influencer. As a result of their concerns over the impact it has on body acceptance and mental health, they are curious about the role that platforms such as TikTok have in regulating potentially harmful content.

Hannah O’Donoghue-Hobbs, a mother and social media manager, shares these concerns. She emphasizes the significance of working together to end horrifying trends like ‘legging legs’.

Kamalyn Kaur, a psychotherapist and anxiety expert, discusses how these beauty standards may be detrimental to the mental health of individuals. According to her, the restricted conceptions of beauty that are disseminated on social media platforms have the potential to cause young people to struggle with their bodies, have poor self-esteem, and engage in unhealthy behaviours.