Leg warmer
Encyclopedia
Leg warmers are coverings for the lower legs, similar to socks but thicker and generally footless. They were originally used as dancewear by ballet and other classic dancers in order to keep the leg muscles warm and to prevent cramping or other muscle injuries.
Traditionally knitted from pure wool, modern variants are more typically made of cotton, synthetic fiber
s, or both. Some are made of other materials, such as chenille. Other types are made of wool, camel hair and Old English Sheep Dog hair.
Leg warmers can vary in length, though not in width, due to the material's stretchiness. They are commonly worn to just below the knee, though many dancers prefer it to extend to cover the lower parts of the thigh. Some cover the entire foot; these warmers usually have a pad that grips the floor so the dancer does not slip - however this has been known to cause career-ending injury. Some leg warmers are particularly short and made of thinner material; these are also known as 'ankle warmers'.
Originally worn by dancers to keep their muscles from cramping after stretching, in the early 1980s leg warmers became a fad
and wearing them was fashionable among teenage girls. Their popularity was partly due to the influence of the films Fame and Flashdance
and the concurrent aerobics
craze. They were worn with leggings, jeans, and tights or as part of aerobic wear.
Traditionally knitted from pure wool, modern variants are more typically made of cotton, synthetic fiber
Synthetic fiber
Synthetic fibers are the result of extensive research by scientists to improve on naturally occurring animal and plant fibers. In general, synthetic fibers are created by forcing, usually through extrusion, fiber forming materials through holes into the air, forming a thread...
s, or both. Some are made of other materials, such as chenille. Other types are made of wool, camel hair and Old English Sheep Dog hair.
Leg warmers can vary in length, though not in width, due to the material's stretchiness. They are commonly worn to just below the knee, though many dancers prefer it to extend to cover the lower parts of the thigh. Some cover the entire foot; these warmers usually have a pad that grips the floor so the dancer does not slip - however this has been known to cause career-ending injury. Some leg warmers are particularly short and made of thinner material; these are also known as 'ankle warmers'.
Originally worn by dancers to keep their muscles from cramping after stretching, in the early 1980s leg warmers became a fad
FAD
In biochemistry, flavin adenine dinucleotide is a redox cofactor involved in several important reactions in metabolism. FAD can exist in two different redox states, which it converts between by accepting or donating electrons. The molecule consists of a riboflavin moiety bound to the phosphate...
and wearing them was fashionable among teenage girls. Their popularity was partly due to the influence of the films Fame and Flashdance
Flashdance
Another song used in the film, "Maniac", was also nominated for an Academy Award. It was written by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky, and was inspired by the 1980 horror film Maniac. The lyrics about a killer on the loose were rewritten so that it could be used in Flashdance...
and the concurrent aerobics
Aerobics
Aerobics is a form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines with the goal of improving all elements of fitness...
craze. They were worn with leggings, jeans, and tights or as part of aerobic wear.