A tight-fitting covering for the leg, often used in the plural as “leggings” for stretchy pants worn for exercise or fashion. Historically, it could also mean a protective covering for the lower leg.
Formed from *leg* plus the suffix *-ing*, which can make a noun meaning a thing connected with that body part. Earlier ‘leggings’ were cloth or leather wraps worn for warmth or protection.
Modern leggings come from practical leg-wraps used by soldiers, riders, and workers. A fashion staple today actually began as serious protective gear against cold, brush, and even injury.
Modern 'leggings' are strongly associated with women’s fashion and have been sites of dress‑code policing, particularly in schools and workplaces, often targeting girls and women. Historically, similar garments existed for all genders, but contemporary norms have gendered them.
Describe leggings as clothing that anyone can wear, and avoid commentary that sexualizes or polices bodies, especially in institutional rules.
When discussing dress codes involving leggings, note that women and girls have often organized to challenge rules that frame their clothing as a distraction rather than focusing on equitable treatment.
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