National Legwear Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Events

National Legwear Day occurs annually on September 22 and is a commemoration of all items worn on the legs, such as leggings, socks, tights, anklets, sheers, and more. Legwear in all of its various forms, shapes, and colors has become a unique form of self-expression in a time when people are seeking new methods to express their individuality. Legwear is now a trending topic in popular culture, and stylish new bottom wear is regularly featured in the world’s leading fashion magazines. The 18th of October is International Legging Day, which celebrates the widespread popularity of these garments. In honor of this day, be sure to wear your finest attire and show off your legwear this year.

The background of National Legwear Day

We hypothesize that clothing worn on the legs arose alongside the need to conceal oneself with more than leaves. There is ample evidence to suggest that ancient civilizations, and possibly even those who lived before them, wore some sort of leg covering. Socks dating back 1700 years were discovered among the remnants at an excavated Egyptian site. In the 14th century, men’s armor accessories included leggings.

Legwear was once a status symbol. Around 1000 B.C., nobles and kings displayed their wealth and social stature by wearing knee-high stockings. Obviously, the majority of these were crafted from the finest, silkiest material available. In those times, giving people hosiery (or a legwear variant) was a very welcome and generous gift. Until the 19th century, legwear — at least the variations that were visible to the public, such as leggings — was primarily worn by men. As a form of protection, soldiers would wear leggings to prevent grime, sand, mud, and insects from reaching their lower legs.

Women’s liberation and Hollywood stars wearing legwear ignited the fashion industry. Pants, hosiery, leggings, and other legwear became the hottest trend overnight. This popularity skyrocketed when Audrey Hepburn, the original fashion icon, donned Capri pants in the 1954 film “Sabrina.” In the 1960s, legwear, particularly pantyhose, was regarded as a female accessory. Lycra (or spandex, if you prefer) was a brand-new invention, Olivia Newton-John wore leggings in “Grease” (1978), and the 1980s brought legwear innovations we’ll never forget.

As with most fashion trends, the old legwear craze returned with a vengeance, particularly due to fashion icons and models of the 21st century who made wearing non-traditional legwear a fashion statement. Today, it is common for legwear to feature eye-catching colors, patterns, and designs, and the majority of people enthusiastically embrace this trend. It has become fashionable for males in the workforce to wear funky socks with their suits. HanesBrands, an American manufacturer of legwear, established National Legwear Day in 2017 to encourage more people to adopt the practice of donning fun legwear.

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National Leggings Day Events

Your legs should gleam

Walk around in the sexiest, hippest, and most fashionable pair of pants you own. Wear eccentric socks, a statement anklet, or even your trendiest leggings to add visual interest to any ensemble.

Bring everyone into play

Share your style with the world, and encourage others to do the same with their legwear. You can ask colleagues and friends to coordinate their attire with yours for this particular occasion. Create a contest with legwear as the prize.

Explore the expansive universe of legwear

Wanted to wear those printed leggings but lacked the confidence? This is your chance to test out the legwear you’ve always wanted to but never have.

5 Interesting Facts About Legwear

At the site of ancient Greek colonies, artifacts indicate that stockings were likely worn with sandals, the prevalent footwear of the time.

In 1959, Allen Gant Sr. transformed his wife’s prototype into the world’s first commercial pantyhose, dubbed ‘Panti-Legs,’ which became wildly popular during the 1960s.

The Russian military preferred ‘portyanki’ foot coverings, which they wore until 2013.

Nearly one-third of the world’s hosiery originate from the district of Datang in Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, China.

In the distant past, when leggings were almost exclusively associated with men, this legwear consisted of two distinct garments, one for each leg.

NATIONAL LEGWEAR DAY DATES