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Dec 04, 2007 @ 2:50pm

Almost every piece of dancewear we can think of – from leotards to costume-worthy glittery tights – has become a part of mainstream fashion in the past few years.

In general, we love the off-duty ballerina look. But one dance accessory in particular gives us pause: the leg warmer.

We remember when leg warmers really hit their stride during the “electroclash” years. We’d see girls layering hot pink versions over fishnets and stilettos, with only their heels poking through.

Their return (oh yes, we’ve seen them on the street,) has spawned a cuter, more wearable incarnation- Prada’s footless socks are like the warmers’ sleeker best friend.

But the practicality of real leg warmers is undeniable- they keep the part of your legs sticking out from under your coat warm, and can be taken off easily once you get to where you’re going. It’s just too bad they look like muffs for your ankles.

But what about leg warmers themselves? Are they too “I’m going to an‘80s party!” for everyday? Or could they be the perfect winter staple?

--ALISON COOL

posted by guest

Dec 04, 2007 3:10PM

Love them. Pretend you can't remember the electroclash years.

posted by wind

Dec 04, 2007 3:19PM

i think if they are worn in a neutral/dark color with no crazy embellishments they could work. also, if they are a nice cable knit or something sleek (like the Prada's) they look cute layered over tights.

posted by tahl

Dec 04, 2007 3:27PM

I crocheted myself a pair two years ago because I couldn't bear to spend the $$$, and do wear them occasionally with boots - but I've never really considered them very stylish. Simply necessary to keep warm.

Legwarmers appeared during Winter 2003/2004 as well, and I whole-heartedly embraced them. In fact, I've worn them every winter since. I must say, looking like a silly little granny in a big ol' coat, earmuffs and legwarmers makes me feel chicer than if I were wearing Uggs and a cropped, hooded pink parka.

laurenintheafternoon.blogspot.com

Dec 04, 2007 3:39PM

i honestly can't live without them. i layer a pair under my boots every morning with a cute skirt or dress. and keep them on throughout the day. i don't usually wear pants or jeans- ever! so they're quite useful. but i keep my colors dull- brown, black, beige. today it's a soft knit gray. but only with boots. so you might just think they're socks.

posted by Laia

Dec 04, 2007 4:07PM

Total winter staples. If you're going to a party but expect to walk around the cold a bit you can just put them on and then take them off when you reach your destination and look great in your party dress or whatever. I have these super long ones that I got at Benetton forever ago and I used to wear them under my jeans when it got really cold (now I have AA thigh high socks so I don't do that anymore).

posted by Lindsaysue12

Dec 04, 2007 4:11PM

I remember when AnF and Hollister had them about 4 years ago. And yes, I did have a few pairs b/c I did work for the company *shudders*. Some of us girls got creative and cut off the arms of old sweaters. We laced a cute ribbon through the top to keep them up.

I don't know if I could embrace them again. I may have to since is butt cold here in Minnesota. Boo on the snow!

I came up with an idea when I was walking around this weekend, freezing my ass off, that's sort of a variation on the concept behind leg-warmers: take a couple of cheap scarves that are exactly the same (or which aren't, but compliment each other somehow) and wrap one around each ankle. You can often find great scarves for $1 at a second-hand store, and because you're putting them over tights, you don't have to worry so much about them being dirty and possibly giving you a rash!

Dec 04, 2007 4:45PM

Definitely a winter staple. I wear a pair of black knit legwarmers with black tights and black flats on my walk to work in the morning and they have drastically improved my morning. In dark colors, they are so subtle no one ever notices.

posted by mpw

Dec 04, 2007 5:06PM

At the designers market on Mulberry two years ago, I bought a pair of leg warmers that consisted of large pieces of faux fur large enough to wrap around your calf with a thin leather strap that wrapped around your leg to keep them on.

They're really warm and make it look as though you're wearing cute furry boots with your dress.

posted by staceyy

Dec 04, 2007 6:45PM

I love my legwarmers!!
As long as you don't do them with an outfit that is really eighties looking... or in ridiculous colors they don't look that bad.
Plus they are so warmmmmmm.

mpw that sounds revolting, but maybe if i saw a picture i would change my mind...

posted by Stef Alicia

Dec 04, 2007 7:59PM

I think leg warmers are fabulous and beyond winter essential. I do say don't be limited by wearing them in only neutral tones because you can have so much fun with them in great colors without looking 80s. Now if you choose to wear them with day-glo tights, a cut-off sweatshirt, a pair of Chucks and a side ponytail, I can't help you...

posted by anna_muffin

Dec 04, 2007 8:03PM

I love them...as everything ballet related;) I've never known, what to wear them with, but now I have a few ideas. Thanks.

Dec 04, 2007 8:31PM

I have a vintage Ralph Lauren pair that my grandmother (she's a hip lady) gave me from her old collection (I would guess they were from the 70s, but were legwarmers invented yet? hehe) that are thick, with a bit more structure than many you see today, and they are a neutral argyle pattern that looks very sophisticated. I've loved them for many years. They always get compliments, though now that I'm a bit older and legwarmers are everywhere I fear looking too trend-happy in them.
Rorosto

posted by Ellen

Dec 04, 2007 8:46PM

Ugh! I'm a dancer and whenever I see non-dancers sporting legwarmers in real life, it makes me want to gag.

Dec 05, 2007 1:21AM

Ellen- that's strange, I'm a runner and I don't feel ill whenever I see non-athletes in athletic shoes...

Dec 05, 2007 3:42AM

No, no, dear God, no.

Dec 05, 2007 10:46AM

Leg-warmers r DONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNE! Please! They were fine at 15/16 but after that they just don't cut it! I even bought some this winter coz I thought something inside me would will me to put them on..... It hasn't happened! I think it's the scruffiness of them... or something... they just aren't right. Prada's footless socks are the closest I would go to a leg-warmer, because it's a more "put-together" look, but even those shud be handled with care!

Dec 05, 2007 12:14PM

I'm a dancer too and it doesn't really bother me. Girls wearing shoes that are made to look like ACTUAL ballet slippers annoy me. But as for legwarmers, in fact, I've worn mine with boots a couple times too...

You've got to know how to pull them off in the real world, though, that's for sure. I hate seeing them badly done.