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TikTok Leggings: What the 2021 Scrunch-Butt Trend Was

The viral TikTok leggings paired honeycomb-textured fabric with a gathered back seam and dipped waistband. Their shaping effect was visual, while 2021 wear-test feedback on fit and comfort was mixed.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
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The leggings widely known as “TikTok leggings” were a Seasum style that went viral around late 2020 and 2021. Their distinctive look came from honeycomb-textured fabric, a gathered seam at the back, and a V-shaped dip in the rear waistband. The design could make the backside look more pronounced, but textile experts described that effect as visual—not a physical lift.

What were the TikTok leggings?

Refinery29 reported that a Seasum pair priced at $25.99 became popular in November 2020 through the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt trend. That is a historical price, not a current offer. The style was praised by some users for comfort as well as its appearance.

“TikTok leggings” later became a general label for leggings with a similar scrunched-back look. It does not mean every pair sold under that description is the original Seasum product or has the same construction.

What gave them their signature look?

Textured knit

The fabric had a honeycomb-like texture that made the surface look visibly patterned. In Refinery29’s July 23, 2021 coverage, Preeti Arya, an assistant professor of textile development and marketing at the Fashion Institute of Technology, discussed the knit structure and its appearance.

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Gathered center-back seam

A ruched seam ran up the center of the back and gathered between the cheeks. Preeti Gopinath, director of the master’s program in textiles at Parsons The New School for Design, told Refinery29 that the seam draws attention to the center line and visually separates the cheeks. Arya summed up the effect: “It’s all an optical illusion.” The construction changes how the garment frames the body; it does not physically lift or reshape it.

Dipped rear waistband

The back of the waistband dipped into a V shape, another feature that helped distinguish the style. A 2021 University of Waikato thesis also identified the high waist, honeycomb fabric, and scrunched center-back seam as salient features of butt-sculpting activewear. The thesis examined these designs in relation to idealized body shapes and cultural appropriation; that is the author’s analysis, not a description of every wearer’s experience.

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What did 2021 wear testing find?

Reviewed’s May 4, 2021 editorial wear test involved multiple days and workouts, with staff members of different body shapes and sizes. Their experiences were mixed, rather than a single verdict about fit or comfort.

  • Some testers said the waistband loosened or needed to be pulled up.
  • Some found the gathered seam uncomfortable or noticed the front seam.
  • One tester reported pilling after washing.
  • Another liked the rounded appearance and found the leggings comfortable for errands and yoga.

These were individual observations from an editorial wear test, not results from a controlled laboratory study or a standardized comparison with current leggings. They suggest why a striking design may not suit every person or activity, but they do not establish how a particular pair will fit you.

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How big was the trend?

In a July 2021 update, Refinery29 reported more than 630 million views for #TikTokLeggings and about 60,000 Amazon reviews. Both figures describe the platforms at that time; they are not current view or review counts.

Those numbers indicate substantial attention, but they do not tell you whether the leggings were a good value, whether reviews referred to the same product, or whether the original pair is still available.

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What to check before buying a similar pair

Because the trend name covers multiple products, compare the garment itself rather than relying on the label or viral photos. Pay particular attention to:

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  • It can be a gift option
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  • Construction: Check whether the fabric is textured, whether the center-back seam is gathered, and how deeply the waistband dips.
  • Fit and stability: Look for sizing information and details about waistband height; the 2021 staff test included reports of a waistband that needed adjustment.
  • Comfort: Consider whether a gathered seam is likely to bother you during the activities you have in mind.
  • Coverage and stretch: Check any available product details or reviews about opacity, compression, and stretch. The cited 2021 wear test does not provide standardized measurements for these qualities.
  • Durability: Look for washing and wear information. A pilling report from one tester is a caution, not proof that every pair will pill.
  • Purchase details: Verify the seller, size range, price, and inventory on the current listing. The historical $25.99 price and 2021 coverage do not establish today’s availability or cost.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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