White Knee Socks - Then, Now

Footwear has come a long, long way from the earliest versions early man created to protect their feet from the elements. Long before white knee socks took their present form, these were made from a variety of materials.

The first versions were simple pockets formed from animal skins and tied around the ankle. This created a fairly impermeable barrier against the elements and the walking surface; however, unlike the mens crew socks, Hanes socks, and Champion socks of today, they didn't wick moisture away from the foot. It's hard to imagine there was much odor protection in these earliest forms. Later, ancient Greeks used matted fur to create more absorbent and comfortable socks, though it was still surely a far cry from the fitted mens dress socks we enjoy these days. As you'll see, these cozy accessories were a very long time in the making.

Mens Dress Socks Emerge

In the centuries between about A.D. 500 and 1000, only small segments of the population wore the sock in a form that was similar to the version we now know. Mens dress socks in the 10th century A.D. consisted of woven cloth fastened to the legs with garters. These were relatively expensive to produce, and were considered a symbol of wealth among the Europeans who donned them.

Mens Crew Socks Become Common

The advent of the knitting machine in the late 15th century sped up production of knitted fabrics, including hosiery. (The mens crew socks almost every man wears weren't yet on the radar at this time. It took centuries of development and invention to get to this point.) Although silk was a popular material in the early days, wool and cotton later emerged as more affordable options for the less wealthy individuals. Soon, tan and white knee socks were commonplace.