Why Are Men Now Wearing The Butt-Lift Leggings on Social Media?

Men wearing women’s butt-lift leggings is that one social media trend we didn’t see coming but somehow it is turning heads, sparking debates, and making millions laugh.

What began as a lighthearted internet joke has now grown into a viral wave, crossing borders and platforms. It started with a few daring guys on TikTok and Instagram trying on the famous “scrunch bum” leggings; those stretchy, body-hugging pants designed to lift, sculpt, and enhance the curves of the wearer’s backside.

Traditionally marketed to women as fitness and athleisure wear, these leggings feature a ruched seam down the center that makes the buttocks look fuller and rounder, a design trick that has taken over gym culture in recent years.

But now, men are taking that same design and running with it, sometimes literally, in a way that’s both hilarious and surprisingly revealing about modern fashion and body image.

In the early days of the trend, videos of boyfriends and husbands secretly trying on their partner’s leggings became a niche but entertaining category of content.

The reactions were always priceless: exaggerated poses, cheeky winks at the camera, and exaggerated “model walks” to show off their newly-enhanced silhouette. The comment sections exploded with jokes and compliments. Some viewers teased, saying the leggings “worked too well,” while others confessed they were shocked at how flattering they looked on men.

This combination of humor and surprise is what pushed the trend into the viral zone. TikTok challenges popped up, daring men to strut their stuff in the famous leggings, sometimes in public places like parks, gyms, or even grocery store aisles. The videos racked up millions of views, proving that curiosity and comedy are a powerful combination online.

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What’s fascinating about this trend is that it isn’t purely about making people laugh. There’s an underlying shift in how men are approaching fitness, self-image, and fashion.

In the fitness world, glute training for men has been steadily growing in popularity. Exercises like hip thrusts, squats, and glute bridges, once considered “women’s workouts,” are now recognized as essential for strength, balance, and athletic performance. Sports like sprinting, football, and weightlifting all benefit from strong glutes, and more men are openly training for a shapely, muscular backside.

As a result, the idea of enhancing that area visually with clothing no longer feels as taboo as it once did. In fact, some men see the leggings as a playful way to celebrate their hard work in the gym. If you’ve built something, why not show it off?

From a style perspective, fashion norms have been blurring for years. Streetwear, high fashion, and sportswear have all played with gender-neutral designs.

Oversized hoodies, skinny jeans, crop tops, nail polish; these were once considered strictly feminine or masculine but are now worn by anyone who feels like it. Butt-lift leggings are simply the latest piece to cross that invisible line.

While some critics dismiss the trend as attention-seeking or ridiculous, others point out that this is exactly how fashion evolves: one bold step, a little public shock, and suddenly what was once strange becomes normal. Ten years ago, seeing a man in yoga pants might have turned heads for all the wrong reasons.

Today, many men already wear compression leggings under shorts for sports. This trend simply removes the shorts and replaces the plain material with a more sculpting, curve-enhancing fabric.

@charlielondonukofficial

The legging kings strike again 👑 #viral #bodybuilder #fypシ #trending #muscle #leggings

♬ Rollin’ (feat. Burna Boy) – MIST

Interestingly, the shapewear industry has been quietly preparing for a moment like this. Men’s shapewear; once limited to compression undershirts, has expanded to include waist trimmers, padded undershorts, and posture-supporting gear.

Brands have realized there’s a market for men who want clothes that make them look and feel more confident instantly. Butt-lift leggings, while not yet widely marketed to men, fit neatly into this growing interest. They offer both performance benefits and aesthetic appeal.

The tight, stretchy fabric provides muscle support during workouts, while the design boosts the wearer’s silhouette in a way that’s instantly noticeable.

Of course, not everyone is wearing these leggings to the gym. Many of the viral clips are purely comedic. Men will film themselves walking past their unsuspecting friends or family members to get their reaction.

Some prank videos involve grocery shopping or running errands while pretending nothing is out of the ordinary. The humor often comes from the confidence on display; men walking with exaggerated swagger, flipping imaginary hair, and posing for invisible cameras.

Yet, mixed into the laughter are genuine compliments. Some women joke in the comments about buying their partners a pair for themselves. Others admit they didn’t expect to find the look flattering but now can’t unsee it.

Reactions outside the internet are just as varied. In gyms, some male athletes have begun experimenting with the leggings during training, mostly for the comfort and flexibility. Leggings allow for a full range of motion without the fabric bunching or restricting movements, which is especially useful for deep squats or stretches.

The butt-lift feature is just an added bonus or a playful motivator. But comfort can be hit or miss. Those who have tried them report that while the material is breathable and supportive, the ruching design can sometimes feel strange if you’re not used to it. Adjustments are common, and some men admit they couldn’t imagine wearing them all day.

There’s also an element of body positivity woven into the trend. For decades, men’s fashion hasn’t offered as many opportunities for openly celebrating the male body outside of muscle definition.

Clothing has mostly been about broad shoulders, narrow waists, and overall size. Butt-lift leggings challenge that by drawing attention to a different area entirely. They encourage men to appreciate and even enhance a part of their body that’s often overlooked. This mirrors a broader cultural shift where both men and women are encouraged to take pride in whatever shape they have, not just the traditionally celebrated features.

@najah.strength

Leggings on a guy yes or no? #gymcomedy #gymcommunity #gymrelatable #gymlife #gymmotivation #gymrat #fypシ Ad @Women‘s Best

♬ original sound – Najah Hatahet

Still, the trend has its critics. Some argue that men wearing these leggings are just chasing clout or sexualizing themselves for views.

Others worry that it’s yet another example of fashion trends being driven by internet attention spans; popular for a moment, forgotten the next. But that’s the nature of viral culture. The speed of trends today means that even something lighthearted can spark bigger conversations about gender, style, and self-expression. Whether this particular craze will stick around or fade in a few months is impossible to predict, but its impact is already visible in the way brands and influencers talk about men’s fashion.

The future of this trend could go in several directions. We might see sportswear companies launch male-specific versions of the butt-lift legging, with more subtle designs aimed at men who want the sculpting effect without the overt ruching.

Influencers may continue pushing the boundaries with bolder patterns, colors, and styling ideas. Gyms might see more men incorporating these leggings into their workout wardrobe, normalizing the look further. Or, as with many internet fads, it could simply fade into a fondly remembered chapter of TikTok history, revived only during themed challenges or throwback posts.

But even if the trend fades, it has already done something remarkable. It has shown that humor, confidence, and a willingness to try something outside your comfort zone can change how people think about fashion.

Men wearing women’s butt-lift leggings might have started as a joke, but it opened a window into how fluid style can be. It encouraged people to look past traditional labels and ask why certain clothes are restricted to certain genders in the first place.

If a piece of clothing fits well, feels good, and makes you feel confident, does it really matter what section of the store it came from?

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