Leg warmers
Leg warmers are fashion accessories that gained prominence in the early 1980s, particularly associated with dance and fitness culture. They became emblematic of the era, often featured in popular dance films such as "Fame," "Flashdance," and "Footloose." Initially, leg warmers were embraced by women as a way to express their connection to the world of dance, symbolizing sophistication, fitness, and desirability. They were also popularized in mainstream media, including Olivia Newton-John's music video for "Physical," which showcased leg warmers alongside athletic wear.
These garments could be stylishly worn over various outfits, from jeans to skirts, paired with either heels or athletic shoes, reflecting a bohemian chic aesthetic. However, by the mid-1980s, as fitness trends shifted and the dance movie genre waned, leg warmers became less fashionable outside of dance studios. Despite this decline, they played a significant role in shaping how many American women viewed their bodies, merging fashion with a commitment to health and physicality. Leg warmers remain a nostalgic piece of 1980s culture, representing both personal expression and the evolving attitudes towards fitness and femininity.
On this Page
Leg warmers
Long, footless socks made of heavy knit or wool
Date 1980-1985
Although leg warmers had been used by dancers since the 1920’s to keep their leg muscles warm and flexible, the formerly utilitarian accessory became a must-have fashion staple following the release of a series of dance- and fitness-centered movies in the early to mid-1980’s.
The early 1980’s ushered in a period in American cinema that featured films focusing on dance, aerobic fitness, or, in some cases, both. The most notable of these films were Fame (1980), Stayin’ Alive (1983), Flashdance (1983), and Footloose (1984). All of these films feature both the element of dance and the presence of leg warmers. Leg warmers became the symbol of freedom and in many cases of sexual desirability obtained through a dedication to physical fitness. By wearing leg warmers, a woman could advertise her affinity with the world of dance, and therefore imply that she was sophisticated, physically fit, and desirable.
Cinema was not the only arena that promoted physical activity. The music video for Olivia Newton-John’s single “Physical” was set in an aerobics class held in a mirrored room. The singer and all of the video’s participants were outfitted in sweatbands, leg warmers, leotards, and athletic shoes. “Physical” was the number-one most-played song on the radio for ten weeks between 1981 and 1982. Although the song’s lyrics refer to the transformation of a platonic relationship into a sexual one, its accompanying video transformed the title’s meaning into a fitness reference. Only Newton-John’s arguably flirtatious way with the camera provided a clue that another meaning was implied.
Leg warmers became a way to identify with those who did not settle for the status quo, those who were capable of keeping their dreams alive. Jennifer Beals’ character in Flashdance, probably the most influential of the films to produce the leg warmer trend, had to work at a steel mill. Her occupation did not prevent her from living her dream of dancing, albeit late at night. As an article of everyday clothing, leg warmers could be worn over jeans or over tights with skirts and dresses. The accompanying footwear could be high-heeled pumps or athletic shoes, depending on the desired effect. One such effect was bohemian chic, as the wearer could be said to possess a heightened sense of the physical self.
By the middle of the decade, leg warmers were again relegated to the dance studio, as fitness trends turned toward more moderate types of exercise. It was no longer considered stylish to advertise one’s ability to dance, and the dance movie itself had fallen out of fashion at the box office.
Impact
Leg warmers played a pivotal role in the changing ways that Americans, particularly women, saw their bodies. By putting on the long, loose-fitting socks, wearers could display not only a sense of fashion but also a commitment to health and physical attraction.
Bibliography
Calasibetta, Charlotte Mankey, and Phyllis Tortara, eds. The Fairchild Dictionary of Fashion. 3d ed. New York: Fairchild, 2003.
Rose, Cynthia, ed. American Decades Primary Sources, 1980-1989. Farmingdale, Mich.: Thomson Gale, 2004.