subject: Life and Times of Socks and Hosiery [print this page] When putting on a pair of socks have you ever given thought as to how the wearing of socks ever started? It's very interesting really. I won't go in to all the details but will give you a little bit of the history. Going back in time to Anglo Saxon days, the terms we use today, Hosiery and Stocking, are derived from Hosa and Stoka. The meanings of these ancient words are respectively "Tight legged trouser" and "Stump", introduced when the upper part of the trouser leg was cut off. Women love socks hosiery. Womens Hosiery come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.
The ancients used skins tied to their feet, to keep them warm in the cold of winter prevent them from getting frostbite. They were also able to walk with ease, even in snowy conditions. As time went by, the Greeks improved on this method, by ingeniously making socks out of matted animal hair to use as foot covering.
In Europe, history tells us that the holy people wore socks that were called "Puttees". These were worn both for warmth, protection and to symbolise Purity. From about 1000 a.d, Nobility began wearing socks as a sign of wealth. These were made from silk, cotton and wool. Socks were also becoming longer, some of them reaching up to the knees.
In 1589, the first knitting machine was invented, thus making it far easier for socks to be made. Though at that time, there were people hand knitting alongside the machines as well. Having revolutionised the industry, sock manufacturers became more inventive and started making a pattern on the side of the socks. Men's fashions were likewise starting to change. Their pants were becoming balloon shaped and quite colourful. The socks now reaching right up the legs, so, stockings were born. Stockings, or hose as they were beginning to be called, became thicker at the top of the leg, to enable them to stay up without falling down. This part fitted securely under the billowing pants.
The year1938 saw the introduction of Nylon. For both men and women, Nylon stockings and socks soon became very fashionable. Ladies stockings had a dark seam running down the back of the leg and these hose were son made available in different shades. Suspenders, attached to a band around the waist, beneath the underclothes were the method of holding them up. Stockings and socks, or hose were now commonly called "Hosiery". There are very few references made to women's hosiery, prior to the twentieth century. This was due to the fact, that it was considered improper for any public mention of female legs to be made.
It is recorded that one of the first mentions of stockings in connection with women, was found in the records of Queen Elizabeth Ist. She was apparently, presented with a pair of black silk stockings, which felt so comfortable and soft, that she wore only this type of stocking for the remainder of her life.
Life and Times of Socks and Hosiery
By: Lon Phillips
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