The dancing profession has certainly had its share of contributions to world of fashion. What begins as necessity is eventually embraced by the general public - usually for no other reason than it looks cool. And prior to the 80s, few women were complaining of cold ankles and calves, but that didn’t stop them from demanding a fluffy set of legwarmers. It just so happened that they looked great on an up-and-coming dancer named Coco in the film Fame and that was enough for women everywhere to demand some cozy calf comfort of their own.

Legwarmers basically amounted to an elongated knitted tube, made from cotton, or the preferred daycron/polyester variety. Worn over the calf, they cover all the way to, and including the ankle, ensuring the muscles necessary for dancing remain warm and less prone to injury. At least, that is why dancers wear them – the rest of the public just wanted to copy the cool look they afforded.

Available in many patterns and colors, it was easy enough to find a set to compliment any outfit. They looked just as stylish, whether covering the bare legs protruding from a mini dress, or when worn over a pair of jeans or jogging shorts, where they covered any exposed skin between pant cuff and shoe.

Would you pirouette like Coco as a result of wearing leg warmers? No, probably not. But you did share her refined fashion sense and that could make any girl appear as if she enjoyed a little fame of her own.