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For decades, men wearing tights or spandex in the gym has been considered taboo, weird or offensive, often framed as an act of rebellion against rigid heteronormative gender norms. But let’s get real—this perception is a relatively modern development. Historically, men wearing form-fitting leggings or tights has been not only practical but also powerful. From medieval nobility to rock stars and elite athletes, tights have played a crucial role in male fashion, sport, and self-expression. So, let’s break it down, build historical context, and reclaim our right to express ourselves with spandex tights.
The earliest forms of leggings for men can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when European men—particularly the aristocracy and knights—worehose. These were tight-fitting wool or silk coverings that extended from the waist down to the feet. Hose were often brightly colored and split into two parts before evolving into a single-piece version in the 15th century.
During the Renaissance, men’s hose became even more flamboyant. They were a staple of European court fashion, often adorned with elaborate embroidery. Figures like King Henry VIII of England were frequently depicted wearing elaborate tights, symbolizing power, wealth, and prestige.
Pendergast, Sara, and Tom Pendergast.Fashion, Costume, and Culture: Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the Ages. UXL, 2003.
By the 18th century, men transitioned from full-length hose to breeches paired with stockings. However, flexibility and mobility were still a priority, especially among equestrians and fencers who continued to wear fitted garments.
In the 19th century, with the rise of industrialization and sports culture, men’s athletic wear evolved. Rowers, wrestlers, and acrobats wore tight, flexible garments that allowed for peak performance—laying the groundwork for modern tights and compression wear.
Steele, Valerie.The Berg Companion to Fashion. Oxford: Berg, 2010.
By the early 1900s, tights were already a staple in sports and performance wear. Ballet dancers, circus performers, and strongmen rocked them with confidence.
Professional wrestling also embraced tights, with legends likeGorgeous George in the 1940s showing that masculinity and flamboyance could go hand in hand. Meanwhile, superheroes likeSuperman and Batman reinforced the image of powerful men in skintight suits, proving that tights could be synonymous with strength.
Wilcox, Claire.The Superhero Costume: Identity and Disguise in Fact and Fiction. Bloomsbury, 2019.
The invention ofspandex (Lycra) in 1958 changed the game. By the 1960s, spandex took over sports like cycling and weightlifting, proving that form-fitting clothing wasn’t just stylish—it was functional.
By the1970s and 1980s, spandex exploded in pop culture. Queer icons likeDavid Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Freddie Mercury challenged gender norms while wearing tights and jumpsuits that radiated power and sensuality. Meanwhile, bodybuilding culture made compression tights a gym staple, with legends likeArnold Schwarzenegger sporting them proudly.
The 1980s bodybuilding boom saw male athletes embracing spandex not just for competition but as a staple of gym culture. Legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, and Bob Paris frequently wore brightly colored, skin-tight spandex shorts and leggings during training sessions, showcasing both their physiques and the functionality of compression gear. Magazines like Muscle & Fitness and Flex featured spreads of bodybuilders in spandex-clad poses, reinforcing the look as both aspirational and practical. This era cemented tights as an essential part of gym wear for men, long before major sportswear brands rebranded them as "compression gear."
We also can't overstate the influency of lucha libre luchadores and 1980's wrestlers (like Ravishing Rick Rude) who wore tights with freedom and confidence.Additionally, late 80's and 90's street fashion often featured men in nylon spandex leggings and tights to round out their look.
Blackman, Cally.100 Years of Fashion. Laurence King Publishing, 2012.
Arnold, Rebecca.Fashion, Desire and Anxiety: Image and Morality in the Twentieth Century. Rutgers University Press, 2001.
The1990s and early 2000s saw a more conservative approach to men’s fashion, with baggy clothes dominating mainstream trends. But compression gear held strong in sports and training.
Steele, Valerie.Paris Fashion: A Cultural History. Bloomsbury, 2017.
By the 2010s, tights and leggings came back stronger than ever—especially in the gym. Brands likeNike, Under Armour, and Lululemon started marketing “meggings” (men’s leggings), proving that gender norms were starting to fade. Meggings is a disingenous marketing term: it tries to make the word "tights" appear as less femenine or gay. We as queer people can clock that backward marketing strategy, and that's the reason why at LED Queens we call them tights proudly. Tights can be worn by any gender.
But the biggest shift? Thequeer and nonbinary communities leading the charge in breaking down clothing barriers. The message is clear: Tights are for every body. More bodybuilders, yogis, and runners than ever are embracing tights for their function and style. And with the rise ofqueer-inclusive brands like LED Queens, we’re making sure everyone can feel powerful in their own skin—no matter their gender identity.
Entwistle, Joanne.The Fashioned Body: Fashion, Dress and Modern Social Theory. Polity Press, 2015.
Crane, Diana.Fashion and Its Social Agendas: Class, Gender, and Identity in Clothing. University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Tights have been worn by men and male-idenitified people for centuries. The notion that they’re “not for men” is nothing but a modern gender construct. The future is aboutexpression, performance, and radical inclusivity. Whether you wear them for the gym, the runway, or just because you damn well feel like it, tights are yours to own.
So, next time someone questions why you’re rocking your LED Queens tights at the squat rack, just remind them:history is on your side—and so is the future. Keep it queer.
Cesar Torres
Designer and Owner
LED Queens
