Argyle socks have a diamond pattern and are associated with golf and casual wear. They originated in Scotland and were popularized in the US in 1949 by Brooks Brothers. The exact origin is debated, but they remain a popular fashion accessory.
Socks of all kinds protect your foot from blisters, keep your feet warm and dry, and allow you to express your special sense of fashion. The word seems to come from the Latin, soccus, a term for a soft shoe worn by comic actors during the Roman Empire. Since then, socks have become everyday items. Today’s socks come in hundreds of colors, fabrics, styles, and patterns, from casual to dressy. Argyle socks fall into the casual category. Argyle socks have diamond shapes that extend down the outer side, or sometimes just around the cuff; Most argyle socks are multicolored, from muted to wild color combinations.
Argyle socks became popular with the masses in the United States in 1949 when Brooks Brothers president John Clark Wood brought them to the United States for a new casual look. He became aware of the pattern of socks when he saw them on a golfer during a golf tournament he attended in Scotland. According to the story, argyle patterns were first formed when Scottish clansmen cut their traditional tartan checks on the bias to use as foot covers, thus creating the unique diamond pattern on the side of the sock.
Knitting patterns for argyle socks became popular, and still are, but most people these days buy their socks in any pattern through retail outlets. With the advent of commercial knitting machines, sock knitting fell out of favor except with those hobbyists who still enjoy the challenge of the complex argyle pattern.
Argyle patterns on socks and other clothing such as sweaters and vests come in and out of style over the years. Argyle socks have long been associated with duffers – the classic golf outfit that comes to mind is a cap, golf shirt, knit vest, pantyhose, and of course, argyle socks.
There is a discussion among clothing historians as to where exactly argyle socks originated. While many fashion scholars attribute the argyle pattern to people living in the county of Argyll, or Argyllshire, in west central Scotland, others believe that conclusion is due to the difference in spelling. Regardless of the exact location, most fashionistas agree that argyle socks were first worn in Scotland, and that argyle socks will continue to be popular casual accessories for years to come.
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