Functional And Fun Socks From Olden Days To Present Day
Throughout various time periods, and especially in the last few hundred years, clothing has become a part of individuality and styles.
Socks haven’t always been a part of the fashion world. For most of human history they were used to protect and warm feet. Fashion as a main element in clothing choice has been a somewhat recent improvement. Socks have become a part of individuality and distinctive fashion statements since the fifteenth century. The last century has brought some of the most vibrant clothing and textile changes than in the majority of human history. Taking a look at the various styles of previous decades show you just how often trends have changed in recent history. Socks have existed since ancient times, but today they are quite different from what our ancestors used.
Not All Socks Exist To Warm Your Feet Ancient people used socks mostly as a defensive measure against the elements. When it’s cold outside, socks can keep your feet warm better than anything else. They behave as a buffer between your feet and the floor or your shoes. During history humans were outside much more than they are in the contemporary world. Socks were used to help keep people’s feet safe from bad weather and unpleasant conditions. Some historical cultures did use socks for more than just practicality. Fashion is an intriguing development throughout various times and cultures. Looking into clothing, materials and even the invention of novelty socks can actually give you understanding of the way society has become what it is today. Naturally, socks were totally different in ancient cultures.
To be able to provide protection from the ground and the cold, the earliest visible socks were made from animal skins, and were bound to the ankle to prevent injury and supply a buffer between the foot and the floor. Later on, socks were worn in order to say something about a person’s position in society, and even their spiritual beliefs at various times. Priests, for instance wore socks in the fifth century to be able to communicate their dedication to purity. Roman culture used socks to demonstrate their wealth. There were long periods where no substantial changes in leg wear are noted. It wasn’t until much more recently that fun socks, tights, and stylish leggings became a typical part of clothing. Socks can still be utilized to make a statement regarding status in modern civilization.
The Wide Variety Of Materials Used In Sock Production Currently, we enjoy many different fabrics and fabrics to keep our feet cozy and warm. In the past, most clothing was made from animal skins, and socks are no exception. Ancient Greeks used matted animal hair for socks, while Romans wrapped cloth or leather around their feet. Later knitted and woven socks became widespread. Ever since then, novelty socks and fashion leg wear have changed the variety of materials that are used in sock making and hosiery.
Garters came into being in the Middle Ages. This was more out of necessity than style. The fashion at the time was to tie colored cloth around the legs. A garter would go over the top of the sock, basically to keep it from slipping down. Elastic has eliminated the need for garters in our modern day fun sock trends. The fifteenth century changed sock wear into what we understand today.
Foot Fashion In The 15th Century Even though you can certainly find trends in many civilizations and at different times in ancient and medieval society, the 15th century caused a significant change in the wearing of socks. In the past clothing was primarily functional and secondarily about appearance. During this time fashion took its’ place as a priority. Before this, there may be virtually no thought put into the design and look of a sock. But during this time socks became an important extension of the outfit, and the novelty sock world became a possibility.
When printed sock designs were first observed in the fifteenth century, there was absolutely no returning. As fashion evolved, so did sock length. People soon had the choice between knee high, thigh high, or socks under the calf. Before, socks simply served a very basic function. But as history progressed they became a piece of an outfit, and an important part of a look. A lot has transformed since then. Now you can find novelty socks and fashion leg wear in a variety of fabrics, materials, and designs. The development of synthetic fabrics permanently altered sock design and styles.
Designer Socks And Leggings There have been key technological developments that have played a big role in sock changes. The knitting machine was developed in the 1500s, which gave an instant boost to knitted sock production. It wasn’t until recent history, the 1900s, that fun socks and other types of clothing came into mass manufacturing, making new trends accessible to the entire population. Socks were previously made by hand every time. But with the invention of circular knitted frames, a standardized, mechanized process became available. Without these inventions, the sock industry would be completely different from what we know it to be today.
Sock manufacturing saw other important changes that give us the range of sock options we have at present. It was in 1938 that nylon was developed, which led to a surge in the manufacturing of nylon tights. This also led to the mixing of fabrics in the textile industry, which has given us a brand new set of fabrics to work with. The use of mixed fabrics is widespread in stores throughout the world today. You can find polyester, acrylic, polyamide, and spandex in nearly every store you go into. Unique and fun socks have seen a surge in diversity, colors and styling. They can be found to participate in any occasion, fashion, and to suit a wide variety of individual taste. The last hundred years has been crucial in the growth and development of the gorgeous, funny, fashion forward sock stylings you see on the street right now.
Sock wear has evolved considerably throughout human history. It wasn’t until lately that sock design saw such an explosion in patterns, materials, colors and styles that we see right now. Now it’s not unusual for people to have a specific brand or novelty socks that they wear exclusively. Many people enjoy getting a wide array of designs, ranging from printed wool socks to leggings and fashion tights. Socks have become a further expression of individual style. It doesn’t matter what you like, whether it’s printed leggings or funny socks, tights or athletic socks, the world is your oyster when it involves sock options.