Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Practical And Fun Socks From Ancient Times To Modern Day

You may be able to avoid socks for the summer time. But once the cooler months come around, socks become a necessity. Most of the time, people don't think about the fact that socks as we know them did not always exist. Sure you can find socks from ancient history, but they were really different. Over the years, hosiery has transformed a great deal, and no longer just exists to protect or warm up feet. Things have changed. Nowadays the selections for novelty socks, printed tights, and leg wear are seemingly limitless. The question is, how did socks progress to function in this manner?

From Animal Hides To Cloth Wraps:How Socks Were Made
As history progressed, socks became decorative and not just functional. As time advanced socks evolved. Throughout the Middle Ages garters were commonly used. This was more out of need than style. People would tie up colored cloth around their legs and a garter would go over the top of the sock, essentially holding it in position. Elastic has removed the requirement for garters in our modern day fun sock trends. The fifteenth century changed sock wear into what we know today.

In ancient times, most clothing was made from animal skins, and socks are no different. Ancient Greeks used matted animal hair for socks, while Romans wrapped cloth or leather around their feet. Later knitted and woven socks started to be widespread. Today, there are numerous novelty socks and fashion leggings and nylons that have forever altered the expectations that we have on the sock industry.

Not All Socks Exist To Warm Your Feet
There's nothing superior to putting on a pair of warm socks when it's cold outside. Throughout history humans were outside much more than they are in the present day world. Socks were used to help keep people's feet protected from bad weather and harsh conditions. Socks are mainly practical in their purpose. However, even ancient cultures were interested in having good looking clothing. Fashion is an interesting 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.

The earliest forms of socks were also the most crudely made. From what we can see of some ancient peoples, animal skins were just used in an effort to keep feet safe from the cold and harsh environments, and were simply secured to the feet by being attached around the ankle. There are time periods and civilizations where one can find socks that were utilized to display a person's status in society, or represent their religion. Notably during the fifth century, priests wore socks as a mark of purity. Roman culture used socks to demonstrate their wealth. It wasn't until later that the invention of fun socks, tights and fashion leg wear started.

Trendy Socks, Tights And Leggings
Once printed sock designs were first seen in the fifteenth century, there was absolutely no going back. Before long there were variations in sock length, which range from the thigh to the knee to below the calf. Before, socks simply served a very basic purpose. But as history evolved they became a piece of an outfit, and an essential part of a look. Since then, the quantity of variety in the novelty sock industry and fashion world has seen massive changes in materials, and the styles are endless. The development of synthetic fabrics permanently altered sock design and styles.

Fashion became more popular in the 15th century. While there have been styles in particular cultures during every time of history, the fifteenth century is a mile marker. During this period, socks took the shape that we know today. Previously clothing was primarily functional and secondarily about appearance. During this time fashion took its' place as a priority. For the first time fun socks were individualized to the person who wore them.

Sock Fashion In The Contemporary World
Another massive development came about in the 20th century. In 1938, nylon was created, giving birth to a brand new fabric, and the infamous nylon tights. After that, the blending of two types of fabrics became not only possible, but prevalent in the textile industry. 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 an explosion in variety, colors and styling. They can be found to participate in any occasion, fashion, and to suit a wide array of individual taste. The last century has been crucial in the growth and development of the gorgeous, funny, fashion forward sock stylings you see on the street today.

There have been crucial technological developments that have played a huge role in sock changes. With the invention of the knitting machine in the late 1500s, the ability to make and produce socks increased rapidly, which helped give people the capability to quickly produce specific trends and hosiery designs. In the 1900s, the mass creation of clothing in general took the world by surprise, and fun socks were involved in this. The first rise in sock manufacturing was thanks to circular knitted frames, which developed a mechanized process that might be employed to create the same product every time. Unless these kinds of inventions had been created, the trends and kinds of socks that we have available today would be quite different. Industry has undoubtedly played an irreplaceable role in our access to fashion socks in our modern society.

Sock wear has changed considerably throughout human history. It wasn't until recently that sock design saw such an explosion in patterns, materials, styles and colors that we see right now. Now it's not uncommon for people to have a specific brand or novelty socks that they wear exclusively. There are plenty of people with sock drawers filled with countless patterns, designs, and colors in addition to tights, leggings and hosiery. Whether you like ankle socks or knee highs, printed stockings or funny socks, there's something for everyone in every occasion. It's been a long time coming.

If you or a buddy wants to get more information regarding mens novelty socks visit this site.