Apparently leggings are over. Wait. What?

In case you missed it, leggings are about to be over.

And there goes half my bloody wardrobe.

Speaking to The New York Times, Krissy Jones — the founder of the New York City-based yoga studio Sky Ting — said there's a movement to more… free-flowing activewear.

"You don't need technical apparel — you are not running a marathon where you need things to compress your legs," she said.

"You want to feel weightless and unbound."

Watch: What are you wearing? Post continues after video. 

What we are now seeing is brands jumping on the trend of expansion and loosening of women's active wear, reflecting a broader evolution toward comfort and versatility.

Nike has introduced many wide-leg active pants to its repertoire including swishy "Windrunner" pants inspired by the 1970s. And lululemon, known for their buttery leggings and cult-like following, is now offering more wide-leg pants designed for casual comfort.

Free People is creating designs that blur the lines between sweatpants and performance leggings, with a focus on 'studio to street'.

Image: Canva: Nike/FP Movement/Lulu Leomon

If you're more of a bike shorts girly? Loose-fitting, flowy shorts with built-in fitted liners are gaining popularity as well as oversized basketball shorts, tennis-style pleated skorts, and we are about to see all-in-one dresses with built-in shorts everywhere.

Image: Nike/FP Movement/lululemon. 

Overall, brands are adapting designs, so activewear can be worn both during workouts and as casual wear.

So are the days of "tummy control" and "butt-lifting technology" over?

Well, it got me thinking. Unless we are doing high-impact sports where lycra and compression are necessary, why do we wear them?

Like really, why do we put every lump and bump of our bottoms on display without giving it a second thought when we could give ourselves room to breathe and feel more comfortable? Or continuously run the gauntlet of getting a camel toe at any given moment? And they are not exactly breathable, erm, down there.

Also, in order to make them squat-friendly and feel supported, they are really, really tight.

Generally, the same can't be said for men when they hit the gym.

When you look around at the gym bros working out around you, they don't wear cling-tight lycra. They wear comfortable, movable, breathable shorts or pants that leave more to the imagination.

Unless you're an amateur cyclist and there are aerodynamic issues at play, I don't really understand or care to know more.

How did we not get here sooner?

When you boil it down we really have Jane Fonda to thank for being the founder of our legging obsession during the aerobics boom in the 1980's.

Fast-forward to the 2010's when our skin-tight leggings really entered their 'athleisure era' blurring the lines between athletic and casual wear.

And now? They are a wardrobe staple and universal uniform. And not just when working out.

I don't think I wore anything else in lockdown.

If I am working from home, regardless of whether I am active or not, I'm donning a trusty pair of lycra leggings. And I wore them on a long flight coming back from holidays to sit on a plane last week.

But why do we wear leggings?

I asked around the Mamamia office to see if I was alone in this legging-awakening. And the responses were mixed.

"I will be buried in my leggings. For some reason the tightness makes me feel more nimble and flexible," Lucy told me.

"A lack of material flapping and moving is a good thing for me," Harrie added.

"They make me feel more snatched even if I am not. Mind over matter," said Keiran.

But Hayley was part of my leggings awakening: "I'm growing out of love with my leggings but I don't know what else to wear in their place when I work out. I have a few running shorts, but they're not great for Pilates. Would love to know what the next big thing is. I'm ready and waiting."

Well Hayley, the activewear fashion gods have been listening. Here are some options that are moving towards the newest trends and developments in women's activewear 'away from body styles'.

Alternative active and athleisure wear options to shop.

Under Armour Women's UA Unstoppable Vent Parachute Pants, $91.

Image: Under Armour 

Nike Sportswear Phoenix Fleece High-Waisted Loose Shorts, $75.

Image: The Iconic

Rockwear On Duty Full Length Pants, $79.99.

Image: Myer 

Nike Mid-Rise Open-Hem Trousers, $110.

Image: Nike 

Cotton On Bella Boat Neck Mini Dress, $29.99.

Image: The Iconic 

Target Active Woven Cargo Pants, $40.

Image: Target

Valour Active Luxe Agility Pant, $100.

Image: Valour 

Nike Jordan Sport Women's Diamond Shorts, $60.

Image: Nike 

Kmart Active Women's Pleated Tennis Skort, $15.

Image: Kmart

The verdict.

I personally am here for this evolution. I am sick of being clad in lycra from the waist down and am going to invest in some more comfortable, looser (and er, breathable) attire. Viva la legging revolution!

The only thing I need to do now is figure out how to use all the black leggings I've stockpiled.

What do you think? Will you be buried in your black leggings? Or are you here for the change? Tell us in the comments below.

Feature Image: Supplied.