Men and Folks in Spandex and Hosiery, 2025 Digest
From beaches to runways to the weight room, 2025 saw fashion trends push skin-tight silhouettes further into the mainstream. Here are three headlines shaping the year.
1) “Speedo Summer” really happened
Swim briefs moved from niche to normal this summer, with mainstream coverage noting rising interest and search demand. GQ framed the moment as a breakout season for American men, while The Guardian tied short-shorts momentum to surging swim-brief interest.
GQ: Are Straight Guys Ready for Speedo Summer?
Our POV: At LED Queens we don't really care what straight men opt for in terms of swimwear, but we do use the coverage of this fashion trend as a general barometer regarding spandex and skintight gear.
2) Denim-in-the-gym became (weirdly) visible
A counter-trend popped on feeds: men lifting in jeans. Men’s Health ran a first-person test of working out in denim; Australian and UK outlets covered the subculture and celebrity sightings, sparking debate about performance vs. aesthetics.
Men's Health: My Week Working Out In Jeans
Our POV: Working out in jeans is not just in bad taste, it's just not very practical, and depending on how much a person may sweat, gross as hell. This ain't it, sis.
3) The Global Market for Hosiery Is Expanding
The global hosiery market—including men’s and women’s segments—is projected to grow from about $50.3 billion in 2025 to $83.48 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 4.9%. Notably, the men’s segment shows the strongest growth, with a CAGR of around 4.5%—hinting at rising demand for compression, therapeutic, and performance hosiery among men.
Business Research Insights: Hosiery Market Share (2025-2034)
Our POV: Don't let gender norms stop you from putting on tights, pantyhose, stockings, leggings, or any skintight gear. Take up space in fitness spaces, and keep it queer because the market is only growing from here.