TikTok Takes a Stand Against Harmful #legginglegs Trend

Recently, TikTok has been in the middle of a fuss over the #legginglegs trend. This trend involved users judging their legs in leggings and focusing on achieving what they saw as the perfect thigh gap. People worried that this trend could negatively affect how we see our bodies and our mental well-being.

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♬ what was I made for? – Instrumental – Wheeler

#legginglegs Explained

The now-deleted hashtag gained attention as users, primarily women, shared videos showcasing their thighs in leggings, contributing to the normalization of a specific body standard. The trend suggested that a “perfect” leg appearance in leggings should include a significant thigh gap and slender legs.

TikTok Takes Action

TikTok took action by banning the term #legginglegs. Now, users searching for this hashtag are directed to information about eating disorders.

As the #legginglegs trend gained momentum, a counter-movement emerged on TikTok, with users condemning the trend and promoting body positivity. Influencers, including therapist Holly Essler and plus-sized content creator Ashlee Rose Hartley, shared videos challenging the harmful beauty standards made by the trend.

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♬ original sound – Holly Essler, LCSW