TikTok bans ‘legging legs’ after backlash from toxic and harmful trend

Warning: This article contains discussion of eating disorders which some readers may find distressing

TikTok has removed the hashtag 'legging legs' from its site altogether after the trend received backlash for being 'disgusting' and 'toxic'.

'Leggings legs' is a phrase used to refer to the idea that the only people who should wear the tight-fitting bottoms should have long and slim legs without a trace of cellulite, hip dips or shorter legs allowed.

Obviously, the trend is totally ludicrous and a bunch of TikTok users, therapists and influencers have since come forward to explain exactly why it's so 'toxic'.

Not only is the trend, which first went viral after women shared clips of themselves in leggings to show off the gap between their thighs, yet another toxic beauty standard that women have to contend with, but it could also be incredibly triggering for someone with an eating disorder or body dysmorphia.

The hashtag #legginglegs has since been deleted from the platform and replaced with information about eating disorders or disordered eating, according to PEOPLE.

However, women are still taking to the app to push back against the trend and share why it is so 'disgusting', with one TikTok user captioning a video: "What are 'legging legs' and why is there a new insecurity on this app every week?"

Another said: "Do we understand what we are doing to the younger generation of women?"

"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...the most stupid thing I've ever heard in my life."

She continued: "Do you understand that because of your video telling some little girl that she doesn't have legging legs, she now feels that she can't fit into society?"

Holly Essler, a therapist, added: "If you have seen this on social media, it's repulsing.

"Basically, it's a trend saying that if you have leggings and you wear leggings, your legs have to look a certain way in them.

"Again, this is disgusting. 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."

Others have since rushed in to share exactly why the 'leggings trend' was so harmful.

"If you own both leggings and legs, congrats! You have legging legs!" wrote one TikTok user, while a second penned: "I have legs... I have leggings, therefore I have legging legs."

A third chimed in: "Wear the leggings! Life is too short to worry about what people think! Just do you!"

And a final TikTok user wrote: "If any young girls are reading this, you are perfect the way you are.

"Wear what makes you happy. If anyone doesn't like it, then they're not worth the time of day."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Tyla has reached out to TikTok for comment.

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article and would like to speak with someone in confidence, call the BEAT Eating Disorders helpline on 0808 801 0677. Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am–8pm during the week, and 4pm–8pm on weekends and bank holidays. Alternatively, you can try the one-to-one webchat