From the gym to the office, hundreds of years of tight pants suddenly burst red

In March 2017, on an American Airlines plane flying from Denver, USA to the Minneapolis, crew members insisted on not allowing two women to register because the leggings they wore did not meet the airline’s passengers. Dress code requirements.

Many people think that American Airlines staff is a bit of a fuss, and their dress code is also slightly outdated. If any woman wearing tight pants is denied boarding, the resulting economic loss may not be affordable to airlines - now, skinny, easy-to-work tights are everywhere.

The gym and yoga classrooms have been able to carry so many leggings of different colors. They appear in parks, streets, shopping malls and home spaces, and even have a serious office.

Tights finally ushered in their prime. Previously, it has existed silently for hundreds of years as a functional garment, even for men's exclusive clothing.

It can be seen from the English name Leggings of the tights that it was originally created to protect the legs. According to the book "Empires, Wars, and Battles" written by American writer TCF Hopkins, in the world of horses, the knights from Asia to Europe wear tight-fitting trousers that are easy to ride, which is an early form of tights.

In the history of North America, local Native Americans, especially women, wear Leggings made of animal skins. The function of this kind of clothing not only helps women to shield the body, but also protects the wearer's legs from being injured by plants and animals.

In the 18th century, men began to wear leggings made of wool, linen or leather that stretched a few inches from the top of the knee to the feet, more like the stockings that people think today. At the time, athletes, manual workers and military personnel were generally wearing leggings and leggings. For the next few centuries, the people who wear leggings are also men and children who need to protect their legs in outdoor activities and warfare.

During the Second World War, the war increased the demand for industrial rubber, so people in daily life need to find rubber substitutes. In 1959, DuPont chemist Joseph Shivers invented a synthetic fiber that was able to extend to its original size six times and then return to its original state. This lighter, breathable material replaces the traditional rubber used in clothing, which is the "Leica".

When people used Lycra to make pants, they found that the trousers fit comfortably and can be extended, so that people can participate in various large-scale activities without deformation and damage. Those who are too lazy to give this trouser a new name borrowed leggings to refer to this elastic trousers, which is now tights.

In the 20th century, especially in the 1960s, the tight pants provided a good environment for development. People's dresses became simple and succinct, from business to leisure, and the number of women wearing trousers increased. In the 1970s, the Oxford Dictionary interpreted leggings as "tight-fit trousers made of extensible fibers, mostly worn by women."

Tights and women’s ties began in the 1980s. Sports and high-intensity fitness are gradually being accepted by more women, their dress choices are also moving towards comfort and function, and the use of tights has increased dramatically. At the time, tights were a reference to fitness and youth, and were not common among women of other ages and other life scenes.

In the 21st century, the popularity of tights is not only led by the sporting lifestyle, but also by forward-thinking companies.

In 1998, Canadian sports brand Lululemon launched the first yoga trousers – a type of tights that were mostly worn for yoga. This is a pair of trousers made of nylon and lycra, which can wick away during exercise and adapt to various twisting movements. The popularity of yoga in the 21st century has fostered a large number of fans and inspired the demand for yoga pants.

Twenty years later, yoga pants occupy people's wardrobes, although their owners may never have done a lower dog. Sporty women change the frequency of tights higher than normal trousers, and women also want the shape of tights not only monotonous black and gray.

According to Bloomberg News, in 2016, sales of tight-fitting pants in the United States increased by 41% compared with the previous year, and orders exceeded the number of jeans. According to the US Census Bureau, the US women's tights imported in 2018 exceeded jeans for the first time.

The major sporting goods companies that have gradually increased their female business obviously have no chance to break out of the tights market. The competition for tight pants between big companies has also moved from occupying shelves to technology competition. Whose fabrics can bring a better wearing experience, and who can get more orders.

Lululemon has patented many of its original fabrics, such as Luon, which contains a high proportion of nylon microfibers, Luxreme, which is similar to the second layer of skin, Nulux, which is suitable for sweating, and Silverscent, which is deodorized and sterilized. Adidas uses The sweat-absorbing fabric Climalite, the thermal conditioning material Climacool and the Climawarm, these fabrics can adapt to changes in the body during different training; Nike's Dri-Fit fabric is characterized by sweat absorption and quick drying.

The popularity of tight pants has also attracted the attention of fast fashion clothing brands. J.Crew, H&M and Gap have their own sportswear collections. Women's tights are the key products.

In the past few years, the prevalence of tights has also raised concerns in schools and workplaces, and men generally believe that they are “interfering”. However, women who are fed up with suit pants and jeans obviously cannot accept this reason. In the repeated protests and resistance, the society’s strict attitude towards tight pants is also constantly relaxed.

According to market research firm Edited, there are currently more than 11,000 yoga-tight pants products (both male and female) in retail locations around the world. According to data provided by market research firm NPD Group analyst Marshal Cohen, the total market for sports bottoms and tights has exceeded $1 billion.

Tights are on the road to growth that does not end.