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.
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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.
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After scouring my social media feed, I discovered there are quite a few styles both Gen Z and millennials are favouring; they’re just styling them in different ways. Scroll down to discover the four leggings trends and how to wear them.
How Millennials and Gen Z Are Wearing Leggings in Summer 2026
1. Capris
Style Notes: After years on the sidelines, the reinvention of pedal-pushers as capri leggings has made them one of this season’s most coveted buys. Perfectly balancing a ‘50s pin-up glamour with 2026 It-girl edge, their cropped finish elongates and elevates. Plus, the style looks particularly sleek with many of summer’s most prominent trends, from heeled ballet pumps styled with linen shirts, minimalist flip-flops paired with baby tees and strappy sandals finished with 3/4-length tops.
Gen Z:
Style Notes: Leaning into stylish cuts and playful colours, Isabelle Coheen’s look is quintessentially Gen Z. From her cinch-detail denim jacket to her Sisters and Seekers Martha Carryall, the look oozes the playful energy synonymous with this set.
Millennials:
Style Notes: In a timeless ensemble, fashion designer Cass Dimicoo puts a fresh spin on capri leggings. By layering a relaxed button-down shirt over a fitted tank, she channels Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s signature understated elegance with ease. Finishing her look with a Bottega Veneta Andiamo clutch and strappy peep-toe mules, it feels both refined and modern.
