Arm warmer

Sometimes worn by dancers to warm up their bodies before class, they have also become somewhat of a fashion item, appearing in the fall.

Today, many competition and sport bicyclists as well as distance runners/marathoners wear spandex-compression arm-warmers.

Various sub-cultures, such as the punk, emo and goth subcultures, have also adopted arm warmers as a fashion statement.

The compressive effect prevents swelling of the arm muscles and the build-up of lactic acid; they also provide insulation in cold weather and solar ultraviolet protection.

[1] During 2010 FIFA World Cup, arm warmers featuring the participating national teams became a phenomenon in the host country South Africa and abroad.