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The Creation And Manufacturing Of Fun Socks In Modern Times

You may be able to avoid socks for the summer time. But once the cooler months come around, socks turn into a necessity. Usually, people don't think about the fact that socks as we understand them did not always exist. Sure you can find socks from ancient history, but they were quite different. In the past, socks and leg wear filled a functional need and were not necessarily a fashionable extension of an outfit. Today, you can find limitless options for fun socks, tights, and a variety of leg wear to add to the charm of any outfit. The question is, how did socks grow to function in this way?

Socks Are More For Appearance Than Comfort
Some historic forms of socks were really animal skins that were tied to the ankle. This was the most elementary form of protection from sharp rocks and cold temperatures. There are periods of time and cultures where one can find socks that were used to display a person's status in society, or represent their faith. Priests, for example wore socks in the fifth century to be able to communicate their dedication to purity. Romans, in later times wore socks to symbolize their wealth. There were long periods where no significant changes in leg wear are noted. It wasn't until much more recently that fun socks, tights, and stylish leggings became a common part of clothing. Socks can still be used to make a statement regarding status in modern civilization.

Ancient people used socks mostly as a defensive measure against the elements. There's nothing better than putting on a pair of warm socks when it's cold outside. In the past, socks and hosiery were employed to prevent injury and keep your feet safe in cold weather. Socks are mainly practical in their purpose. However, even ancient cultures were interested in having attractive clothing. Fashion is an intriguing development throughout various times and cultures. Looking at clothing, textiles and even the invention of novelty socks can really give you understanding of the way society has progressed into what it is today.

Fabrics Used Throughout History In Sock Making
As time advanced socks changed. Throughout the Middle Ages garters were widely 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 transformed all of that. These days there is no requirement to worry about how to maintain a fun sock trend.

The loom wasn't invented until the 1700s. Before that time and the boom in synthetic fabrics developed by the industrial revolution, animal skins were the main material used for sock making. The Greeks used tangled animal hair, Romans used materials and leathers, and it wasn't until later on that knitted or woven socks grew to become commonplace. Today, there are numerous novelty socks and fashion leggings and tights that have permanently altered the expectations that we have on the sock industry.

How Socks Evolved In The 15th Century
Fashion became more prominent in the fifteenth century. Although you can certainly find trends in many cultures and at various times in ancient and medieval society, the 15th century brought about a significant change in the wearing of socks. Forget about wearing things purely for necessity's sake. Prior to this, there may be little to no thought placed into the design and overall look of a sock. But during this time socks became an essential extension of the outfit, and the novelty sock world started to be a possibility.

Before long printed socks came on the scene. After that, there wasn't any returning, and the 15th century became the turning point for sock wearers for the rest of history. Soon there were variations in sock length, which range from the thigh to the knee to below the calf. Rather than the focus being on guarding your feet from sharp rocks and cold weather, novelty socks, tights, and decorative hosiery became a concern to people. Nowadays there are seemingly limitless options available to those looking for novelty socks, fashion leg wear and printed leggings.

Where We Are Today In Sock Design
It was in 1938 that nylon was developed, which led to a surge in the production of nylon tights. After that, the blending of two kinds of fabrics became not only feasible, but prevalent in the textile industry. Today's apparel is produced from a range of synthetic blends, such as polyester, acrylic, polyamide, all of which have seriously influenced contemporary fashions. Now there are socks to fit with any fashion, any event, and people of all sizes and personalities.

There have been important technological advancements that have played a big role in sock changes. Once the 1500s brought with it the innovation of the knitting machine, the time it required to make knitted socks was cut drastically. This increased the accessibility to more socks in a wider variety of styles. In the 1900s, the mass production of clothing in general took the world by storm, and fun socks were included in this. Socks saw a surge in manufacturing due to the development of circular knitting frames, and that provided a framework for a repeatable, mechanized process. Without these creations, the sock industry would be completely different from what we understand it to be today. Industry has definitely played an irreplaceable role in our access to fashion socks in our modern society.

Sock wear has changed considerably throughout human history. The modern day patterns, styles and sock designs we see came into being as the result of a long process that gives us the clothing we have today. With the range of options available, people can choose a sock brand to buy exclusively. There are plenty of people with sock drawers filled with countless patterns, designs, and colors in addition to tights, leggings and hosiery. From athletic socks to dress socks, and funny socks to leggings, there are endless possibilities for anyone and everyone to dress their feet up however they like.

If you or a friend is wanting to know more about novelty dress socks take a look at this page.