From ballerina-core, to twee, to indie sleaze, legwarmers have found their way back to the fashion forefront with the resurgence of a variety of 2014-esque aesthetics.
If the above sentence sounds like utter gibberish to you, let us briefly explain the nature of aesthetic trends, or ‘-cores’ when it comes to the popularity of certain clothing items and garments. Fashion and identity are inherently intertwined and have been since Eve plucked an apple from the tree of knowledge and discovered modesty.
In other words, since clothing became a thing, as it were, it has been linked to social class, sex, gender, occupation, religion and so much more. As John Berger says in Ways of Seeing, "We never look just at one thing; we are always looking at the relation between things and ourselves."
It’s a basic human function to present oneself in a certain way, in order to be perceived in another - whether simply by ourselves, or by others. One sees leopard print coat, denim shorts and tights, legwarmers, pumps and a burned-out cigarette loosely hung between smudged red lips, one thinks indie sleaze.
This is all rather highbrow for an article about legwarmers, we hear you. However, we think this is a useful exercise in understanding why a clothing accessory as seemingly trivial as legwarmers may cause a trend-storm such as is currently occurring.
Contemporary fashion is increasingly defined by niche micro aesthetics, which is resulting in the sudden and unexpected popularity of certain garments that haven’t seen the light of day since, well, 2014.
Enter: legwarmers. Originally restricted to the confines of the mirrored dance-rehearsal room, legwarmers were once nothing more than a practical accessory for the nimble-footed to keep their muscles warm. Now, they’re a distinct way to present oneself as part of a certain aesthetic discipline (the generational obsession kind, not the artist kind).
According to an article written by Tori Tefler in – you guessed it – 2014, after Flashdance was released in 1984 the world went crazy for legwarmers. Following a bit of a null period, the trend resurfaced through the likes of Alexa Chung and various Tumblr users, and is now a staple of Gen-Z aesthetic movements – exemplified through brands such as Miu Miu, Chloé and Sandy Liang, in their 22/23 runway looks.
Shop our round-up of the best legwarmers currently on the market.
Best ballet flats 2022: The pumps for all your ballet-core needs
Best bodysuits for women to style for every occasion
Best party heels for women 2022: Shoes to dance the night away
Best cashmere socks to keep your toes warm this winter
The best party dress rental services in London
Best online clothing sales to shop right now: December deals you don’t want to miss
Out From Under Extra-Long Leg Warmers
For a classic, understated (if at all possible) slouchy look, Urban Outfitter’s Out From Under has got you covered. These legwarmers are 86 per cent acrylic and therefore totally machine washable, which is incredibly useful for a knit that’s coming into very close contact with the floor on a daily basis.
Buy now £18.00, Urban Outfitters
THEOPEN PRODUCT Off-White Ribbed Leg Warmers
TheOpen Product has combined our love for knee high socks, stirrup tights and legwarmers in one singular garment. These ivory rib knit wool-blend legwarmers are featured in a delicate off-white with an almost invisible textile logo patch at the cuff. Pair these with a set of satin ballet pumps for the ultimate off-duty ballerina look.
Buy now £85.00, SSENSE
Free People Dusty Knit Leg Warmers
With a bohemian colour palette and flared bottom, these cosy, mid-length legwarmers from Free People are the perfect layering accessory this winter. We particularly love how they’ve styled them with a pair of lacy stockings and chunky boots for a 70s-esque Penny Lane look.
Buy now £55.00, Free People
Lemaire Buttoned Gaiters
The 18th century but make it chic. Who said gaiters couldn’t be a fashion accessory? Certainly not Parisian brand Lemaire. These form-fitting wonders are made from a merino blend wool and can be worn down over the foot for some extra practical warmth or scrunched up at the heel for a bit of stylistic flare.
Buy now £175.00, Lemaire
Brora Cashmere ribbed legwarmers
100 per cent Scottish cashmere and 100 per cent added to our baskets, Brora’s take on legwarmers is classic and simple – adding style and warmth to a winter look without overwhelming it. This simple ribbed style with tapered ends is ideal for someone making their first foray into the world of legwarmers. Pair with some combat boots and a heavy-duty maxi skirt for a 2014-approved outfit.
Buy now £125.00, Brora
Nasty Gal Knitted Leg Warmer
We would be remiss not to include a cable-knit variation of legwarmers in our roundup. This is essentially a knitwear piece, after all. Whether you’re in the market for a more goth-core or ballerina-core look, these legwarmers offer a wonderful middle ground for two seemingly conflicting aesthetics.
Buy now £12.60, Nasty Gal
Prada Navy & Green Striped Rib Knit Leg Warmers
Scoop up these vintage, flared Prada legwarmers from The Luxury Closet before they’re gone. The muted navy and khaki green colourway makes for an ideal winter look, while the extra-flared bottoms ensure they’ll fit over your winter boot of choice.
Buy now £95.00, The Luxury Closet
Etsy Knitted White Leg Warmers
This independent seller on Etsy has truly understood the assignment. The slouchy fit and extra-long length of these legwarmers feel straight out of the 80s but are versatile enough to adapt to any micro-aesthetic trend.
Buy now £14.51, Etsy
A. ROEGE HOVE Taupe Emma String Leg Warmers
We’d expect nothing less than perfection from conceptual knitwear brand A. ROEGE HOVE’s take on legwarmers. They’re made from thinly ribbed cotton, are extra, extra long and are further complete with a feature string tie at the heel. We love the idea of pairing these with a pair of stilettos, a mini skirt and a ballerina-style wrap cardigan.
Buy now £155.00, SSENSE
Falke Leg Warmers
Nobody does socks and hosiery quite like Falke, who’ve been in the game since 1895. Made from sustainable organic cotton and super soft wool, these legwarmers have an incredibly delicate cable knit feature interspersed with a thinly ribbed design. They also feature extra-wide cuffs for a comfortable fit - whether you’re wearing them for some at-home comfort, or as a fashion accessory.
Buy now £22.00, Falke
