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Hosiery And Funny Socks From History To Now

The only individuals who have no functional use for socks are those who reside in climates warm enough to enjoy sandals all year round. As is the case with most of contemporary life, most people never give a second thought to the fact that socks did not always exist in the capacity that we know them in. As time went on, hosiery, socks and tights were invented and evolved according to the practical demands as well as the fashion trends of the time. That means that in previous centuries socks looked very different from what we have today. Now, an entire range of fun socks and leg wear are created to pull together any outfit for a host of events. The question is, how did socks grow to function in this way?

The Big World Of Ancient Socks
As history progressed, socks became decorative and not just functional. The Middle Ages brought with it the style of garters. People didn't initially do this for fashion's sake. It was essential. People would tie colored cloth around their legs and a garter would go over the top of the sock, essentially holding it in place. Elastic has removed the need for garters in our modern day fun sock trends. The fifteenth century transformed sock wear into what we know today.

The loom wasn't invented until the 1700s. Prior to that time and the boom in artificial 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 became commonplace. Today, there are numerous novelty socks and fashion leggings and nylons that have forever altered the expectations that we have on the sock industry. The fabric industry and modern technology has forever altered the materials that are used to make any and all clothing in modern days.

Socks Enhance A Style
From what we can see of some ancient peoples, animal skins were just used as a way to keep feet safe from the cold and harsh climates, and were simply secured to the feet by being attached around the ankle. Later on, socks were worn in order to say something about a person's position in society, and even their spiritual beliefs at different times. Priests, for instance wore socks in the fifth century to be able to communicate their dedication to purity. Roman culture used socks to show their wealth. It wasn't until much later that the creation of fun socks, tights and fashion leg wear came into existence.

Ancient people used socks primarily as a defensive measure against the elements. When it's cold outside, socks can keep your feet warm better than anything else. They act as a buffer between your feet and the floor or your shoes. Throughout history humans were outdoors much more than they are in the present day world. Socks were used to help keep people's feet safe from bad weather and harsh conditions. Socks are mainly practical in their purpose. However, even ancient cultures were interested in having attractive clothing. Looking at where novelty socks have found their place in our culture, and observing the place they held in ancient societies can be extremely insightful. Naturally, socks were very different in ancient cultures.

Existing Sock Style And Leg Wear
Sock production 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 opened up textiles to a completely new world of possibility. With the mixing of fabrics, a brand new set of materials was now open for clothing and sock designers to utilize. Today, polyester, acrylic, polyamide and spandex have completely altered the modern fashions we see in today's novelty sock industry, and hosiery in general. Now there are socks to fit with any fashion, any event, and people of all sizes and personalities. 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 today.

There have been key technological advancements that have played a huge role in sock changes. With the creation of the knitting machine in the late 1500s, the ability to make and produce socks increased rapidly, which helped provide people the ability to quickly produce specific trends and hosiery styles. With the development of technology and industry, the 1900s brought with it the mass manufacturing of clothing of all kinds. Fun sock trends truly became a reality during this period. Socks saw a surge in production due to the development of circular knitting frames, and that supplied a framework for a repeatable, mechanized method. Technology and inventions permanently altered the clothing and sock industry. The novelty socks, tights and wide selection of hosiery may never have come to be. Industry has undoubtedly played an essential role in our access to fashion socks in our modern society.

The Late 1500s And How They Transformed Hosiery
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 understand today. Gone were the days of pure functionality and protection. For the first time fun socks were individualized to the individual who wore them. These styles affected both men's and women's wear.

Decorative socks came around in the fifteenth century. Soon printed socks came on the scene. After that, there wasn't any returning, and the fifteenth century became the turning point for sock wearers for the remainder of history. As fashion developed, so did sock length. People soon had the option between knee high, thigh high, or socks below the calf. It was at this point that novelty socks, tights, and hosiery became an important part of an outfit and not just something to keep your feet comfortable and safe. These day there are seemingly limitless possibilities available to those searching for novelty socks, fashion leg wear and printed tights.

Sock wear has changed considerably throughout human history. It wasn't until recently that sock design saw such an explosion in patterns, materials, colors and styles that we see right now. We now have our selection of countless brands and unique, fun socks to select from. People can choose a particular style that they like best, and stick with that. Some people enjoy buying a wide variety of designs, ranging from printed wool socks to leggings and fashion tights. Socks have become a further expression of personal style. Regardless of what you like, whether it's printed leggings or funny socks, tights or athletic socks, the world is your oyster when it comes to sock options. It's been a long time coming.

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