Sock

A stocking (regional also: the sock, the sock, the sock; plural: stockings) is a garment for the foot: preformed according to a textile, open towards the leg, closed toe end tube, the angle between the foot and lower leg. Stockings and socks there (comparable to the shoe sizes ) in various sizes, lengths, production methods and materials.

History

Stockings were already known to the Romans. The word " sock " is derived from the Latin " soccus " and refers to a slip-on shoe, wore the actor comedy to store clothing. Even today, may be called eg in the area of southern Thuringian Forest slippers than socks.

The precursor of the sock and the sock was the Footwraps. In the 13th century both stockings were combined into pants (hence the term pants, which actually is a plural form ), but separated in the 16th century at the knee back of the pants.

Stocking lengths

Stocking and sock are indeed sometimes used interchangeably, but differ in the length, the language may be different landscape.

Stocking

Under a stocking refers to the clothing of the foot and leg. A stocking therefore always has a leg Ling ( the lower leg high -reaching part of the stocking ), which extends to about mid-calf. Historically ranged Stockings basically almost to the buttocks ( in crocheted / knitted style, now called the Thigh or Thigh High). Today especially thin ladies nylon stockings and compression stockings are available in this length, either as stockings, stockings with garter or for attachment to an suspenders. Usual Mr. stockings rich nowadays to just below the knee. These knee-highs -called form is also available for women.

Sock, socks, sneaker socks

Socks have a comparatively short legging, normally up to just above the ankle and - ranges up to mid-calf ( so-called long - or calf sock) - more common in men's socks. Shorter socks ( socks ) end at the ankle or just below the ankle. For the latter, there is also the expression sneaker socks, since they were created especially for wearing in sneakers. They are mostly worn in loafers to not extend beyond this.

Ten pieces

As the name says, only the toes are covered here. The necessary support gives a band across the heel.

Footlet

As Footlet the part of the stocking is called, which extends from the toe end to the heel approach, where the leg Ling begins. In addition to socks, which consist only of this part, also known as booties. They cover the foot from the toes to the heel and are usually cut on the instep. For hygiene and shoe -climatic reasons, they are worn in loafers, and for reasons of fashion to this form of sock not or hardly be visible even in low-cut shoes ( for example, pumps or ballet flats ).

Below-knee stockings

Fully funded, among others, to the Bavarian Tracht Lederhosen and cover only the calves.

Gauntlets

In Gauntlets Sock, or short cuff, there is a wide, elastic fashion stocking, which can be carded, pushed up or worn full length.

Overknees

Overknees rich over the knee. This term is also used for shoes the same length.

Thigh length or thigh stocking, and half thigh stocking

A common for nylon stockings length which is further held with adhesive tape or garters on stocking collar into position.

Other stocking styles

In addition to general differentiation in women's, men 's and children's stockings by sizes, partly also the shape, materials, colors and patterns, there are special stockings:

Materials and sport socks

Originally stockings of wool, made ​​from rare silk. Today, especially knee socks and socks made ​​of either natural fibers (cotton, wool, silk), a mixture of different natural fibers (cotton, wool or wool with silk). In better form fit because (stockings are usually offered in double sizes ) have the most socks made ​​of natural fibers a small percentage of elastane (less than 3 percent). The also prevents premature wearing out of the elastic knit stocking Federal (formerly wore men therefore additionally garters ).

Also widespread in sports and (so-called functional socks ) coming almost exclusively used are stockings made ​​from blends with a chemical fiber content (mainly polypropylene and polyamide) of 30, 40 or more percent.

The classic women's stockings are made of nylon ( see main article nylon stockings ). Perlon, in the 1930s and 1940s, the early days of fine ladies stocking, still competition material for nylon, in this field has no meaning. A special type of fine ladies stocking is net stockings. He shows a network structure (of coarse fishnet pattern to very fine crochet optics) instead of a smooth surface. Ladies knee socks, there are in addition to the materials, made ​​of nylon used in men's socks.

Socks made ​​of natural fibers offer compared to stockings of synthetic fibers in the normal range of use fußklimatische better properties. However, they are expensive and have a shorter shelf life than socks with high chemical fiber proportions. Welding problems or rather the associated odors to be counteracted in some models with an antimicrobial finish the stocking materials or by adding silver threads.

For the sports area with an expected higher friction stress and a higher volume of sweat socks are offered with a large proportion of man-made fibers or stockings exclusively of chemical fiber ( mixtures ) since the 1990s. In addition to stocking should have different zones of different materials and knitting directions, the different functional levels ( moisture transport, cushioning, etc.), and asymmetric left and right socks are specifically designed for men 's or women's feet offered to improve the fit overall.

In the American ball sports socks have such a great importance to the shirts ( long socks complement the reaching just above the knee pants in baseball ) that some teams call themselves even after their socks ( " Chicago White Sox ", " Boston Red Sox " - " Sox " is slang for " socks" and playing baseball usual). Footballer on the other hand wear under their shin guards socks, about neck with a web or football socks, if it is a foot.

In track and field, speed skating is often bears no stockings or socks to a possible energy loss avoided by additional friction between the foot, sock and shoe. Especially in speed skating are the shoes to custom made, which are very closely matched to the individual foot.

Stylistic and Trendy

The classic dress style provides, in dress shoes socks / stockings that are darker than the worn shoes ( black shoes accordingly to black stockings, or stockings in a very dark blue). Knee socks also cover the overturning of the legs the skin and thus also meet the requirements, which provides for the etiquette for men.

On warm days, now pull the vast majority of women no stockings or socks. The increased friction on the shoe, connected to a welding development, however, can lead to blistering and depending on the shoe material to allergic skin reactions. Therefore prefer women who want to give the impression that they had no socks, booties in your shoes.

In men, the absence of socks is not yet recognized by society in equal measure. In the leisure sector, the omission of socks or wearing invisible sock liners can also be seen occasionally in men. As a trendsetter this fad the television series Miami Vice is suspected from the 1980s, in which the main character wore loafers no socks.

Sayings

The phrase " to make the socks ," regional " lossocken " means go, say, to dress and to break the shoes. " Totally blown away be " means that someone is so impressed by anything that it is difficult for any reaction. The epithet " Red Sock " refers to a politically left- person.

The term " soccer " as the English name for football is not derived from the word ' socks ', but on the notion Association. The first rule of football collection was created in 1863 by the Football Association was founded in London.