Fashionable Feet: Sock Styles of the 21st Century
The first socks were made from animal skins tied around the ankle and date back to around the 8th century BC. By 1000AD, wearing knitted socks was a symbol of wealth and nobility. The advent of the knitting machine in the 16th century mean that socks could be knitted much faster. Socks were commonly made from wool, silk, and cotton until 1938 when the first nylon socks were made. These days there are so many types of socks, most people don’t know them all. Are you familiar with ankle, crew, thigh-high, and lace socks? Here’s a rundown on the many styles, lengths, and materials of socks available today.
Sock Length
There are seven typical sock lengths for men and women. These include:
- Ankle: the cuff of this sock sits on or just below your ankle bone.
- Quarter: the cuff of this sock rest about an inch above the ankle bone.
- Crew: this sock measures 6-8 inches from heel to cuff.
- Mid-calf: the cuff of this sock rests in the middle of the calf.
- Calf: the cuff of this sock rests just beneath the knee.
- Knee: the cuff of this sock rests just above the knee.
- Thigh-high: the cuff of this sock rests in the middle of the thigh.
You can find a wide range of socks and cuffs for wearing with boots in many styles and designs at BCS Boutique.
Designer Socks: When you think designer socks, think Prada. These calf-length socks are designed to be worn with high heeled shoes and boots. They are available in a wide range of bold colors and designs.
Fishnet socks: These increasingly popular socks are often worn with Vans or classic white sneakers. They’re also great with ankle boots and cropped jeans.
Sport socks: These are tube socks usually made from nylon or polyester. They are knee-high or crew and ribbed, often with bands of color around the cuff.
Novelty socks: Popular with both men and women alike, you can find novelty socks to suit any occasion or predilection. Some example include Santa socks, Star Wars, animals, Mona Lisa, and cookies and milk.
Lace Socks: Women’s lace ankle socks are very versatile. They come in a range of designs and colors and can be worn with sneakers, heels, sandals and ankle boots.
Dress sock: This type of sock is designed to be worn for any occasion from weddings to funerals, work to parties. Their range of design is huge, from plain neutral colors to argyle to bold colors.
These days you can choose from a variety of socks in just about any color or design. The most popular materials are nylon, wool, silk, cotton, and cashmere. In summertime men and women often prefer to go without socks. If you prefer to wear socks but don’t wish them to be seen, you can opt for no-show socks. Now you can use this information to find socks that suit your style and your budget.