Figure 1.--The 1923 Wards mail order catalog had a small section for turn-over-top kneesocks. Kneesocks were a realtively new style of hosiery. Before World War I bnoys mostly wore long stockings. Younger boys during the summer might wear socks that came to mid-calf length. Wards referred to them as "3/4 hose". Today we call them kneesocks or in Britain turn-over-top socks.had |
There was a small section for turn-over-top kneesocks. Kneesocks were a realtively new style of hosiery. Before World War I bnoys mostly wore long stockings. Younger boys during the summer might wear socks that came to mid-calf length. Wards referred to them as "3/4 hose". Today we call them kneesocks or in Britain turn-over-top socks. Gender appropriatness is not specigfied, but is perhaps suggested by the illustration.
The ad copy read, "For spring and summer wear. Dress the children in these shorter [?] Hose. These, of fine combed cotton, are knitted in the stylish English rib, with turnover cuff at the top. The heels and toes have reinforcements necessary for real durability. Very well made and priced low. Sizes 7 to 10. State size wanted. 30 D 282 Black. 30 D 283 Brown. Per pair 25c. Postage, per pair, 1c extra." The boy wearing them is depicted as wearing above the knee knickers with these kneesocks, a fashion that only lasted for a short time. Apparently this style came about because many mothers simply replaced long stockings with kneesocks and, as many boys at the time wore over-the-knee knickers, this left their knees bare. Most boys did not like it and insisted on pulling their knickers below the knee and their kneesocks up.
I'm not sure about the accuracy of this one. Better check against the original. The ad copy as best I can make out reads, "Children always feel comfortable and look presentable in these sturdy three-quarter length Hose of lustrous mercerized lisle. Seamless throughout, clockes in knitted. Attractive clockes with contrasting colors. Wide turnover cuffs. Sizes 7 to 10. State size wanted. 30 D 237 Pink. 30 D 338 Blue. 30 D 339 Brown. Per pair 44c. Postage, per pair, 1c extra." Wards pictures a girl wearing this style.
This one also needs to be checked against the original. Too faint to read in places. The ad copy reads, "Children's three-quarter Hose of fine mercerized lisle trimmed with blue and pink stripes. There are seamless legs and feet. The tops have contrasting colors. Very practical, dressy, and priced low. Sizes 5 to 10. State size wanted. 30 D 262 White and Blue. 30 D 263 White and Pink. Per pair, 23c. Postage, per pair, 1c extra." Wards pictures a girl wearing this style.
Part of text missing here because I can't read the faint print and scan into the catalog center. Check original and fill in the missing part. The ad copy read, "Three-quarter Hose in attractive English style with wide-ribbed ... [can't read to the end of description] Sizes 7 to 10. State size wanted 30 D 276 [Fill in colors]. 30 D 277 [Fill in colors]. 30 D 278 [Fill in colors]. Per pair, 39c. Postage, per pair, 1c. extra." The boy wearing them is depicted as wearing above the knee knickers with these kneesocks, a fashion that obly lasted for a short time as boys did not like it.
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