Uniforms Garments: Kneesocks--Practicality
Figure 1.-- The problem with knee socks is that they often fell down, especially during active play. Some boys pulled them back up, like this boy playing football (soccer). Other boys couldn't be bothered.
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Knee socks were popular because the weather is often cool in England during the school year. Boys wearing short trousers found them warm. This is presumbablyvwhy knee socks became so common in Englnd and adopted as part of the uniform at so many schools. They presented somewhat of a problem because boys were so active. They kept falling down. Some boys couldn't have cared less. Others were mnore concerned and tugged them back up so they would look smart. There were several approaches to this problem. The major one was an elastic garter worn under the turn-over-top cuff of the knee socks. Many boys sid not like these elastic garters, gfinding them uncomfirtable anhd leaving a mark on their legs. Thus not all boys wore them. Cheaper knee socks made just to the knee without the turn-ocer-top cuff were made with elastic. The elastic after a few washes, however, would lose its elasticiity. This we generally see a mixed picture at schools with many boys having rgeir knee socks at half staff or dosn to their ankles. The girls were much more likely o be found with rtheir knee sicks at the knee.
