Leggings and Fingerless Gloves: Accessories that Go Halfway Are in Style
Leggings, footless tights that end at the mid-calf or ankles, emerged in the US in the 1960's when they were worn as tight trousers. They were popularized in the fashion culture during the 1980's when there was an obsession with aerobics and peaked until the mid 1990's. Leggings reemerged in 2005 and are highly visible today. Leggings are for women, tweens, school-aged children, toddlers, and infants. I remember wearing leggings fringed with lace as a youngster in the early 1990's. Leggings are sheer or opaque and may have ribbed patterns; women wear them mainly in shades of black, navy, or gray. They range from cotton and nylon to leather and latex and some have bands under the heels.
Many celebrities have been spotted wearing leggings. They include the singers and actresses Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Jessica Alba, Lindsay Lohan, Rihanna, Ashley Olsen, and Miley Cyrus. The women in the broadway show "A Chorus Line" also wore leggings. In addition, Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha wore leggings during a 2008 Fourth of July parade in Butte, Montana according to newsday.com.
Shoppers will find leggings at any major clothing retail store as well as at e-tailer sites such as shop.nordstrom.com (leggings starting at $10.90 for women and $8 for girls) and www.barenecessities.com (leggings starting at $12.50 or 2 for $20) that offers free shipping with orders over $25. Leggings accessorize babydoll dresses, mini skirts, long/oversized shirts or sweaters and may either be worn with pumps or flats (ballet and skimmers).
Another stylish halfway accessory is fingerless gloves that have openings at the tops of each finger or a large opening around all the fingers (gauntlets). Fingerless gloves have the utilitarian purposes of providing dexterity for driving, riding bicycles or motorcycles, playing the piano, and typing on computers or cash registers. Many celebrities have worn them as fashion statements and include Paris Hilton, Rihanna, Lindsay Lohan, and Beyonce (during "Single Ladies" performances). In terms of fashion, fingerless gloves also allow women to display polished fingernails.
A neat thing about fingerless gloves is that they may be store bought or knitted and crocheted with a single ball of yarn. Lionbrand.com provides an easy skill level pattern for crocheted driving gloves in small, medium, and large and they are also found on www.straw.com. Handcrafted fingerless gloves make special gifts. Shoppers may also find these gloves at major retailers including The Gap and Urban Outfitters (ranges from $16 to $28). E-tailers that sell them include workinggear.com (starting at $4), amazon.com (starting at $4.95), www.discountoffice.com ($5.20 for large sport utility fingerless gloves for men and women), www.shopstyle.com ($9 for fingerless gloves that start at the elbow and end at the knuckles), and shop.nordstrom.com ($10 for one-size-fits all junior rubbish fingerless gloves). Shoppers may choose from a variety of materials including cashmere, leather, wool, cotton/polyester, and fishnet. Some of the fancier gloves have a strap across the wrist as worn by Paris Hilton.
Remember to keep leggings and fingerless gloves in mind during this gift-giving season as they are truly stylish. Females within the age ranges of tweens to late twenties will especially adore them since they identify with the celebrity icons in this age range who wear them. Also leggings and fingerless gloves are suited for both casual and dressy occasions.
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Published by Arene Penelope
Arene has education and training in the mental health/psychology field and has enjoying web content writing for over five years. She is also an avid fiber artist. Arene loves learning, informing, and inspiring. View profile
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- They (leggings) were popularized...during the 1980's when there was an obsession with aerobics...
- Many celebrities have worn them ...Paris Hilton, Rihanna, Lindsay Lohan, and Beyonce...
- Handcrafted fingerless gloves make special gifts.