Do you remember them? They were very popular in the 1980s, when this lady introduced them to a (nearly) worldwide audience:
Of course, I owned a pair of legwarmers back then, too; although mine were different in that a) they did not have the bit underneath like a sock, b) I did not wear them for sports but as part of outdoors outfits on cold days, and c) mine came in a dark green, matching the flared "baby"-corduroy mini skirt I loved wearing for a couple of years in the early 1980s, when I was about 14.
Now they are back!
We had a few cold days in December (which was very mild overall), and one day when I was wearing a pair of skinny trousers but no boots, I thought it would be nice to have something warmer on my legs. Now, I hate wearing tights underneath trousers, and so the only other way to add something warm is to add that layer from the outside, right? I thought of legwarmers, and mentioned to my Mum (who is a self-professed knitting maniac) that I'd like to have a pair.
What shall I say - they were there for me under the Christmas tree!
On Monday, I wore them for the first time:
It's a shame the sunlight was so bright you can't really see the colours. I have a woolly hat (also made by my Mum, of course) from the same wool.
We're apparently in for a cold spell next week, so I may get to wear them more often now. They really are very cosy. Thank you, Mum!
Oh! I know what wonderful knitting your Mum does! So I know that your leg warmers are not only warm but beautiful! Let's see the wooly hat in another post, okay?
ReplyDeleteThe hat is actually there on the first picture, you can just about see the rim at the top of my head :-) I always think I look really daft with woolly hats and caps and beanies on, so I doubt I'll do a proper post about it.
DeleteYou're certainly right about my Mum's knitting, Kay!
Remembered, but never worn, Meike. Your mother is a very clever woman.
ReplyDeleteShe is, Frances!
DeleteThese are so beautiful! I just ordered another pair of socks from your Mom......She does wonderful work.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know they were back in style.
I don't know whether they are back in style, either - I just thought they'd serve my purpose (and be stylish at the same time), and so I asked my Mum to make them :-)
DeleteYes, she told me you'd ordered more. Thank you so much for your continuous patronage!
Oh yes, they seem to be back in style here in Germany, you can buy them now again everywhere. And if anybody would like to get some handknitted legwarmers, I would like to do.
DeleteComfy and stylish - what more could you want?
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteWhat a great idea. I could really do with some myself. I had completely forgotten they ever existed!
ReplyDeleteThey are great! If you like, my Mum will gladly make a pair for you! (I don't know the price, though, but am sure it won't be over the top.)
DeleteWhat a brilliant idea to wear them over jeans. They look fabulous as well as being cosy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maggie, that's exactly what I think!
DeleteThey look fantastic! I have a pair I wear when I go running, for the extra warmth. They are no-where near as nice as yours though (and I doubt I look as good in them...) x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gillian! I don't think I would want them for running; I'd probably constantly stop to pull them back up, as the material of my winter running pants (with a nice cosy thermo layer inside) is very smooth and they'd probably be slipping down half an inch with each step.
DeleteOh leg warmers! So awesome. They look fabulous. Enjoy! I remember that Jane Fonda record too because i used to do all the exercises with her and MAKE IT BURN. I was living in Queensland, Australia at the time in an old wooden house on stilts. And every time I jumped the record jumped. SO I had to exercise lightly like a nimble little elf. Thanks for the memory! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHello jen, I believe this is your first comment on my blog - welcome to My Mental Library!
DeleteNice to know my post brought back this fun memory. I didn't do any aerobics back then - I just found it all plain silly (that was me in the middle of puberty, you know!).
Why should Mama do all the knitting? Surely she taught her daughters when they were little girls. Why not have a go at knitting some more legwarmers - to go with a different coloured outfit? A matching balaclava would also be possible.
ReplyDeleteShe did not. I never learned to knit; I did learn how to crochet, though. Crocheting is not ideal for legwarmers, and I simply am not quite the hand-crafting type, I'm afraid. As for balaclavas, I hated to see them on other kids when I was little and never wanted one myself. Thankfully, my Mum never made me wear one.
DeleteLove your legwarmers. And love the name "Knitting Maniac." Does knitting 800+ ski hats over a ten year period for a charity qualify me as a KM too? I hope so! :) xoxox
ReplyDeleteI'm quite sure you qualify, Carol! Did your 800 ski hats sell well? :-)
DeleteYours are stunning and being tall & slim makes you very fashionable! I'm about 5'2" tall and look silly & bunchy if I do that sort of thing. I had a pair way back when I was about 14, too......They were 'store-bought' and brilliant red & yellow striped!!
ReplyDeleteYours sound pretty cool, much more eye-catching than mine! Not sure whether this is your first comment on my blog; I certainly have "seen" you around at YP's blog. If it is your first time: Welcome! If not - you are just as welcome :-)
DeleteI didn't have the legs for them! They look really cool on you though. I like that: leg warmers looking cool. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteAn apparent contradiction, but it fits. Not sure men/boys were wearing them back then... but I know it was OK for guys to wear eyeliner.
DeleteGood idea :) I still have a pair of black leg warmers bought years ago but they're probably too tight to wear like that on top of trousers. Back in the autumn though I bought a long quilted skirt to be worn over either skirt or trousers in cold weather. It's designed for the purpose, as outer garment, with a zipper all the way down one side. And it's black so goes with any of my winter jackets. Not as smart-looking as your leg-warmers :) - a bit clumsier! - but easy to take on/off, and does the job of keeping me warm!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds very warm, Monica, and a good idea. My legwarmers will only fit in the tightest if all my jeans and pants, and if course in tights, as I will demonstrate in ine if my next posts.
ReplyDeleteActually just now I was feeling cold sitting still inside (and watching it snowing outside!) so tried putting on my black legwarmers on top of the tight jeans I was wearing... They did go on. :) With black socks and slippers too, it looks like I'm wearing indoors black boots! :)
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