'I'm a millennial and I'm officially over leggings. Here's what I'm wearing instead.'

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I was out the other morning at a trendy cafe, having just come from Pilates. I was wearing my favourite brown ⅞ length leggings with a white tank top.

There is nothing objectively wrong with these leggingsleggings — they're extremely comfortable, they look quite chic with my other activewear, and they're fantastic to work out in.

But I noticed something as I sat on the sidewalk sipping my almond flat white, observing the people passing by.

Many of the women were in activewear too, fresh from morning runs, exercise classes or just existing in their sporty clothes, as people do on a Saturday at 9am.

I saw lots of matching crop tops and bike shorts. I spotted side-striped trackies and cargos. A few flared lycra pants.

But not another tight in sight! None. Zero.

Watch: Our fashion editor's favourite comfory walking shoes. Post continues below.

There was a time when designer leggings — from the likes of P.E Nation, Lululemon and The Upside — were the ultimate leisurewear status symbol. An instant way of reframing a casual workout look as polished.

But unfortunately, as hard as we cling to them (or they cling to us), leggings are not immune to trends.

There have been reports all year about the decline in leggings, triggered by a changing retail market.

In July, The Business of Fashion confidently declared "the reign of leggings is over", and this sentiment was backed up by publications including The New York Times and Vox.

In a nutshell: Gen-Z are rejecting skin-tight lycra in favour of roomier pants they can move in.

And in the transition, leggings have become yet another tired marker of millennial style. Just as skinny jeans gave way to wide-leg styles, it's time to usher in a new silhouette.

Initially the reporting felt like #ragebait, but now I've come to see the truth in it. Maybe our leggings ARE just a teensy bit stuck in the 2010s.

While they remain the most practical option for many women, especially when it comes to forms of exercise that require formfitting apparel on your bottom half (spin classes and Reformer Pilates come to mind), the issue for me is that I don't feel like wearing them anymore.

I live in oversized clothing, and nothing else in my wardrobe is tight.

My style has shifted so far in the opposite direction, where most of my pants are now loose and flared, and my tops are designed to compliment these shapes, that leggings are just not something I want to reach for anymore — even when I'm working out.

So now I'm thinking about what I want to wear instead.

If you're finding yourself facing a similar dilemma, don't fret. You will not remain pantless for long.

You can gently bid your leggings adieu, maybe place them lovingly in a drawer for later, and make some space in your activewear section for some new styles.

Here are the leggings alternatives worth actively exploring.

Soft wide-leg pants.

These styles lean into that looser, 90s attitude Gen Z seem to be into. You don't have to go for cargo pants, it might be about a more streamlined wide-leg pair that crops above the ankle, like Nimble's bestselling style.

If you're looking for comfort and ease of motion while striking that balance of looking cool at the gym/your local run club, this silhouette is my number one recommendation.

Nimble In Motion Cropped Wide-Leg Pants, $149.

Image: Nimble.

Cotton On Body Ultra Soft Tie Front Wide Leg Pant, $50.

Image: Cotton On Body.

Lululemon Softstreme High Rise Wide Leg Cropped Pant, $139.

Image: Lululemon.

Flared tights.

With this option, you still get the feeling of leggings (and that thigh-skimming look), with an updated shape through the leg. The flared hemline makes these a cool option for day-to-day wear, too — they work really well with sneakers.

This is not a new trend by any measure, but it's sticking around for good reason.

I've found affordable pairs at Kmart and Big W, or you can invest in a style from any number of boujier activewear brands that are across the changing shape of tights right now.

Kmart Active Studio Soft Rib Flare Pants, $35.

Image: Kmart.

Big W Circuit Women's Wide Leg Full Leggings, $12.

Image: Big W.

Bonds Move Flare Pant, $70.

Image: Bonds.

Bike shorts.

I spotted all the cool girls wearing matching black crop tops and bike shorts, styled with trainers and sleek sunnies — but I'm also loving all the trending shades like bright red, cobalt blue and espresso. I'll layer mine with big tees before and after exercise.

Bonds Move Seamless Midi Short, $45.

Image: Bonds.

Target Active Soft Studio Bike Shorts, $20.

Image: Target.

Muscle Republic Luxe Biker Shorts, $60.

Image: Muscle Republic.

Track shorts.

We're also seeing a move towards looser running shorts with a retro feel — but if you're worried about flashing someone in your yoga class, rest assured these ones come lined.

Lorna Jane Lightspeed Phone Pocket Run Shorts, $80.

Image: Lorna Jane.

Nike One Dri-Fit Mid Rise Brief-Lined Shorts, $50.

Image: The Iconic.

For more helpful style advice and shopping recommendations, subscribe to the weekly Nothing to Wear Substack, listen to the Nothing to Wear podcast or watch Nothing to Wear on YouTube.

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Feature image: Supplied.