When were socks invented?
The word “sock” is derived from the Latin soccus, the Old English socc and the Middle English word socke. The “soccus” was a shoe worn by Roman comic actors. It was a “calceoli” or sock-like and fitted loosely so they could be taken off quickly. Roman’s sometimes wore soccus with sandals and then removed their sandals indoors; the soccus remained on their feet. 8th Century Barbarians wore brightly colored socks. During the Crusades and Gothic periods (1000-1300) linen hose made from two-leg profile pieces replaced tube hose sewn together. Tapes tied to the waistband held these up. Under the hose was worn a shapeless pair of linen legs which were stitched through the crotch, hemmed at the top and gathered by a drawstring around the waist. Over time, the outer hose were joined and called closed hose or a pair of legs. From about 1340 onwards men started to wear shorter garments called gippons or pourpoints. Long garments survived at court and ecclesiastical and academic circles. Short ga
