Leg warmers are not just a fashion statement, but a practical accessory for dancers to keep their muscles warm and prevent strains. They were popular in the 1980s, but are still used in dance classes today and can be bought or made at home. They cost around $15-$30 per pair.
Believe it or not, leg warmers have a practical use. Since reaching fashionable status after the release of Flashdance in 1983, leg warmers have often been reviled and are frequently seen as the most demonstrative piece of clothing from 1980s fashion disasters.
Leg warmers are covers for the lower part of the legs and have been a staple in dance classes for many years. They are generally used by dancers during the early parts of a class or rehearsal, to keep the calf and ankle muscles and tendons warm until they have loosened from stretching. Wearing leg warmers is believed to prevent muscle and ligament strains due to over-exercise cold legs. Leg warmers are often woven tubes that slip over the foot to just below the knee. Some are made of other materials, such as chenille, and cover the entire foot. These leg warmers usually have a pad that grips the floor so the dancer doesn’t slip.
Some dancers prefer to buy their leg warmers while others who are so inclined can make them. Patterns for crochet and knit leg warmers are available online and allow the dancer to make them to her liking.
As a trendy fad, leg warmers were everywhere in the 1980s. Women generally wore them with miniskirts, over lycra leggings, or over jeans. Some girls wore two or three short pairs at a time. Leg warmers usually coordinated with something else the girl was wearing: red leg warmers with a red sweater, for example, but this wasn’t always the case. The footwear of choice with leg warmers was sneakers or “jazz” flats. Anything else was considered ridiculous-looking.
Leg warmers faded into the sunset in the late 1980s, but some fashionistas say they may be back. In any case, these garments are still worn in dance classes. They are available in a variety of materials and lengths from various dancewear manufacturers and cost US$15-$30 per pair.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
