4 DEFINING LEGWEAR TRENDS OF 2026
The year’s top hosiery and sock trends, forecasted by Stijlinstituut Amsterdam and The LYCRA Company
Jan 27, 2026
In uncertain times, fashion can be a balm. A way to anchor yourself to your self; to act as armor or beacon. It can communicate to others, bring joy to your everyday, and offer an outlet for your storm of emotions. That couldn't be truer in our time.
Each year, The LYCRA Company partners with the trend forecasters at Stijlinstituut Amsterdam to distill the top trends in legwear. For 2026, our team of experts found that the unpredictability of the day is permeating and defining current fashion trends. Across categories, segments, and demographics, many are using their personal style to conjure steadiness, whatever its form.
To understand and translate current ready-to-wear fashion trends into legwear, we looked at four lifestyle categories: work/school; going out; chilling; and sports. These categories move away from traditional demographics and instead embrace inclusivity across age and gender, and begin to understand the cultural drivers behind style choices. Across the categories, clear trends related to the current global mood began to emerge.
As part of our partnership with Stijlinstituut Amsterdam, we developed a collection of concept garments using fiber technologies from The LYCRA Company’s portfolio, including LYCRA®, COOLMAX®, and THERMOLITE® brand products. These garments are designed to bring to life the hosiery and sock trends we've identified, showing how legwear brands can bring ready-to-wear fashions to consumers' legs. We hope you’ll feel seen — and inspired.
"This year’s concept garments reflect the diversity of consumers’ lives and the inclusivity of modern legwear. We have created versatile, sustainable solutions that perform across lifestyles and support people of all ages, genders, and style preferences."
Jane Gwyther
Product category director, legwear
The LYCRA Company
Whether it’s a teenager in uniform, an adult balancing work and fitness, or a style-forward consumer expressing glamour at any age, The LYCRA Company’s innovations allow you to show up, supported and confident — no matter how uncertain things may feel.
#1: JOYFUL, PLAYFUL DESIGN
Bright colors, whimsical details, “kidult” styles, and the visual language of screens — joyful, playful design is a key style theme for 2026. This trend leans into escapism, letting the world and its conflicts melt away in favor of fun.
Here, the hosiery material on this LYCRA® 3D garment, crafted with LYCRA® STEAM-SETTABLE fiber for perfect aesthetics, is reminiscent of a computer glitch motif or calibration pattern.
These bright teal pantyhose with graphic lace detailing are a celebration of boldness in fashion. Crafted with our latest innovation, renewable LYCRA® EcoMade fiber, this sustainable spandex fiber is made with 70% plant-based materials and dyes hosiery material effectively — the right partner to meet the moment.
This seamless, patterned swimsuit calls back to simpler summer days by the pool — ideal for those moments you want to feel like a "kidult." Engineered with COOLMAX® PRO EcoMade fiber, made with 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles, and durable LYCRA FUSION™ fiber to prevent fraying, this suit is totally opaque, offers clean edges, and keeps the wearer cool.
With its carefree silhouette and whimsical linear pattern, this seamless base layer is crafted for fun escapes to the outdoors. Made with THERMOLITE® PRO EcoMade fiber, a sustainable warming solution crafted with 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles, the wearer stays warm and stylish whatever the day brings.
#2: RETRO NOSTALGIA
Retromania is making its mark in 2026, with fashionistas looking back to look forward. For many, retro styles offer a sense of stability and quality in a time of rapid change. Key elements of the trend include iconic patterns, such as plaid, argyle, checks, monograms, tartan, and herringbone; romantic Victorian, Edwardian, and Rococo influences; and bygone structural and styling details such as back seams on hosiery.
Here, a LYCRA FUSION™ TRUE TO YOU garment gives legs a run-free, gorgeous glow complete with retro back seam, while top bands crafted with LYCRA® MADE TO FIT YOU technology stay comfortably in place.
On the calves of these comfortable, ribbed-cuffed knee-highs, we've arranged a diamond pattern rhythmically and topped it with the 'L' of the LYCRA® brand, creating a monogrammed, preppy, collegiate style that calls back to patterns of the past. Crafted with LYCRA® T400® EcoMade fiber, made with at least 50% recycled and 14% renewable materials, they offer a lasting, cooling fit for a range of activities.
Nodding to Victorian-era ribbons — wrapped here around the legs — these pantyhose are crafted with LYCRA® ENERGIZE technology powered by run-resistant LYCRA FUSION™ fiber, providing graduated compression from ankle to thigh to help legs look beautiful, feel energized, and stay active all day.
#3: SENSUAL EMPOWERMENT
The lines between underwear, lingerie, hosiery, and ready-to-wear are increasingly blurred, creating new opportunities for bold, visible styling and a subtle way to express independence and challenge traditional gender norms. Cutouts, sheer fabrics, underwear as outerwear, body-conscious silhouettes, and visible lingerie are all key elements of this empowered style that screams "I got this!" in unsteady times.
We explored evolving attitudes toward intimacy, gender, power, and identity through this design, engineered with LYCRA® STEAM-SETTABLE fiber. Language is important: Call it anti-chafing, and it becomes practical and intentionally anti-sensual; name it veil shorts, and it takes on a mysterious, ethereal quality.
Accentuating the shape of the lower body, these two-two pantyhose offer a body-con look and graduated compression thanks to LYCRA® ENERGIZE technology. Crafted with all-star LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber, the tights deliver a responsive, second-skin fit that moves with the body.
It may take a closer look to see, but these sensual pantyhose offer a subtle lace pattern across the backside that nods to lingerie. Made with LYCRA® SHEER SENSATION fiber, our anti-static hosiery solution, a wearer can twirl freely to show her legs without worrying about static cling.
#4: MINIMALISM
When the future is uncertain, some turn to minimalism to ground themselves and bring quiet to noisy times. This aesthetic is a strong influence in luxury sportswear, and it fits perfectly within today’s leisurewear, which caters to consumers who transition from the trail to the couch, from the slope to the street. Simple colors — black, white, gray, and beige — define palettes for many consumers, while multifunctional garments that offer performance features without sacrificing style are in demand. Making choices that have a more minimal impact on the planet is core, too.
Here, LYCRA® EcoMade fiber, made with 20% pre-consumer textile waste, and COOLMAX® EcoMade fiber, made from 100% recycled materials, combine to offer sustainable cooling comfort to the minimalist.
In these muted checkered socks, we see a glimmer of creative expression in a minimalist palette, ideal for busy, active consumers with style. Made with LYCRA® STEAM-SETTABLE fiber for perfect aesthetics, these socks can go seamlessly from the trail to happy hour without losing their shape.
This LYCRA® XCEPTIONELLE garment offers hidden performance details that provide all-day comfort — "quiet luxury" for your legs. Anti-chafing yarns, a comfortable waistband that resists rolling, and a unique panty construction that fits a range of body sizes mean these on-trend beige tights can amp up the glamour of any outfit. Knit with LYCRA® ADAPTIV fiber, they offer an inclusive fit that’s easy to put on an take off. Perfect for the stylish minimalist on the go.
Wherever this year takes you, you can never go wrong with expressing yourself. And with legwear fibers from The LYCRA Company, you can move forward comfortably and confidently.
Are you an industry professional interested in adopting our fibers and other products? Contact our team today to explore solutions for your next collection.