Stuff the Stocking with Argyle Socks
What’s plaid on a diagonal and worn on feet? Argyle socks of course. Argyle socks have been around as a fashion item for a long time – a couple of hundred years, as a matter of fact. And as most fashion trends, argyle socks have gone in and out of style. But just like argyle sweaters and vests, they have returned the “latest thing”. Besides golfers, the biggest audience for these distinctive socks are younger people.
Men’s socks are typically pretty boring. They just don’t have the variety and colors that women have. Yet, socks are piece of clothing that men are always in need of and that’s why they make such a welcome and practical Christmas gift or stocking stuffer. But socks for men are universally plain. They are almost always in one single color, and that color is almost always black, brown, white, or gray. This is not the case with argyle socks.
The argyle pattern has definitely made it’s way back into current fashion. The pattern can include vibrant colors to coordinate with any outfit from shorts to suits and you can optionally pick up a pair of the well known gold toe argyle. Although the original argyle socks are made from wool, today you can also shop for them in wool, cotton, nylon and other materials to suit your needs. A pair of argyle socks make a classy addition to a man’s wardrobe.
History of Argyle Socks
History provides various versions on the origin of argyle socks, but it is generally agreed that these socks first showed up around 1500 as the footwear of the Scottish clan of Campbell in the town of Argyll in Scotland. The clan’s colors were green and white and represented in their kilts. Later, footwear was made of the same cloth when clansmen cut their tartan plaids on the bias for use as foot coverings. From this simple beginning, argyle socks were born.
Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish writer and poet was largely responsible for immortalizing the argyle pattern when he brought attention to the design in a casual mention in his writings.
If you’re of an older generation, you may remember the fashionable golfer of the 1920′s, proud in his plaid golfing hat, pullover sweater vest and matching knee-high argyle socks, posing for the camera in all his fashion glory. This appearance was the birth of argyle socks as an American fashion.
These patterned socks enjoyed immense popularity as a fashion accessory for young people during the Roaring Twenties, fading as America entered the Great Depression.
Surfacing again in the 1940′s and lasting well into the 1950′s, argyle socks were a favorite knitting project for young women to make as gifts for their boyfriends or for their own wardrobe. Argyle patterns soon made their way into vests, sweaters and hats, as coordinating fashions to be worn with the esteemed argyle sock. So pervasive was the fashion, the argyle sock look eventually became cliched, dying of overuse and becoming dated and out of style once again.
Then came the Preppies of the 1980′s, with their Retro interpretation of penny loafers, that sensible shoe of 1950′s fame, teamed with argyle socks.
Today, the famous socks are again enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Revivalist golfers are sporting the pre-1930′s style. The argyle sock is not only fashionable to golfers, but also with all ages.
Argyle socks are a part of fashion history. As the saying goes, “history repeats itself”, so you may well be a trend setter with your own new take on the argyle sock.
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