Recently,I was told by an ex-professional skater that over-the-boot tights were first worn in an ice show by a diminuative skater named Anna Albergini. And the purpose of it was to extend the leg line for shorter female skaters worldwide. I was also told that the tights itself were an optical illusion. I know that it was popular among competitive skaters like Sasha Cohen,Irina Slutskaya and Alissa Czizny and professional show skaters like Linda Fratianne,Elaine Zayak,Jill Trenary,Natalie Seybold,Vicki Heasley,Tai Babilonia,and my favorite,Nicole Bobek. But what I want to know is what year did this skating fashion began. I tried to get answers,but I am still stumped. Could anyone please give me pointers of what year did the over-the-boot tights made its debut in figure skating?