 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
How to dress like a gentleman- A guide on the material of socks for the gentleman: dress like a true gent
MATERIALS
Quality socks are usually made from dyed yarns, rather than piece-dyed later. Four-ply yarns are
usual, the ply being the number of strands twisted together, with up to 16-ply in the case of certain
materials.
SILK
There are silk stockings… and there are silk stockings The determining factor is the intensity of the
twisting in the thread. Apart from pure silks, inferior qualities and recycled products exist.
It is a fallacy that silk does not wear as well as other fabrics: it is the strongest of fibres, and
stronger even than steel. Silk is an excellent non-conductor of heat, and if not quite as absorbent
as cotton, frequent soapy washings in moderately warm water will keep it refreshed.
WOOL
Only hard-wearing merino wool is suitable for socks. Other wool types are too soft and too fleecy
for the task.
CASHMERE
So soft and so warm, luxurious cashmere is unfortunately not hard-wearing, but with a
strengthening of man-made fibre, it becomes much more durable.
POLYAMIDE
Nylon socks which did not require darning were hailed as a boon in the 1950s and regarded with
alarmed horror by manufacturers. Man-made fibres have steadily improved and diversified. A
polyamide can be worked into the core of a natural yarn in such a way that it does not come into
contact with the skin. A 20 per cent polyamide infusion can increase the life of a stocking fabric by
four times.
COTTON
High-quality cotton socks are made from Egyptian Karnak cottons whose long fibre lengths (staple)
permit the spinning of extremely fine yarn. The Egyptian variety was brought to the United States
around 1900 and now thrives in the Caribbean region as Sea Island cotton.
The degree of warmth provided depends upon the closeness of the knit. A very fine stocking is
warmer than a thicker stocking which is not so closely knitted.
Wool warms better than cotton. Cotton is more robust than wool. Woollen socks can be reinforced
with cotton in an all-natural blend, though this can not match synthetics when it comes to longevity.
STYLE
The more formal the occasion, the darker the stockings. In general, they should be darker than the
trousers. A gentleman is always safe in black; never in white.
With evening dress, socks must be over-the-calf, black and they should be of silk, as is proper for
the descendants of stockings worn with knee-breeches.
A Universal Dictionary published in 1744 recommended “sea-green, cherry brown, purple-red and
umber” as appropriate for stockings, after counseling that the colour should harmonize closely with
that of the garments being. Sea-green having been out of style for some time, we can dispense with
this, but it is a fact that gentlemen of late have been dipping their toes into hues beyond the ‘safe’
range of black to dark blue. We are not, however, about to advocate the example of painter David
Hockney’s cheeful mismatches in two colliding colours.
For casual and less formal business activities, a partern might please, but nothing vivid, please.
Matching socks to tie can be effective, so long as the match is not too blatant.
The classic ribbed stocking is knitted on a four-plain, two-purl pattern, while certain elegant styles
are knitted in purl stitch only. The basic rule is that the wider the rib, the more sporty the stocking.
Quality socks are usually made from dyed yarns, rather than piece-dyed later. Four-ply yarns are
usual, the ply being the number of strands twisted together, with up to 16-ply in the case of certain
materials.
SILK
There are silk stockings… and there are silk stockings The determining factor is the intensity of the
twisting in the thread. Apart from pure silks, inferior qualities and recycled products exist.
It is a fallacy that silk does not wear as well as other fabrics: it is the strongest of fibres, and
stronger even than steel. Silk is an excellent non-conductor of heat, and if not quite as absorbent
as cotton, frequent soapy washings in moderately warm water will keep it refreshed.
WOOL
Only hard-wearing merino wool is suitable for socks. Other wool types are too soft and too fleecy
for the task.
CASHMERE
So soft and so warm, luxurious cashmere is unfortunately not hard-wearing, but with a
strengthening of man-made fibre, it becomes much more durable.
POLYAMIDE
Nylon socks which did not require darning were hailed as a boon in the 1950s and regarded with
alarmed horror by manufacturers. Man-made fibres have steadily improved and diversified. A
polyamide can be worked into the core of a natural yarn in such a way that it does not come into
contact with the skin. A 20 per cent polyamide infusion can increase the life of a stocking fabric by
four times.
COTTON
High-quality cotton socks are made from Egyptian Karnak cottons whose long fibre lengths (staple)
permit the spinning of extremely fine yarn. The Egyptian variety was brought to the United States
around 1900 and now thrives in the Caribbean region as Sea Island cotton.
The degree of warmth provided depends upon the closeness of the knit. A very fine stocking is
warmer than a thicker stocking which is not so closely knitted.
Wool warms better than cotton. Cotton is more robust than wool. Woollen socks can be reinforced
with cotton in an all-natural blend, though this can not match synthetics when it comes to longevity.
STYLE
The more formal the occasion, the darker the stockings. In general, they should be darker than the
trousers. A gentleman is always safe in black; never in white.
With evening dress, socks must be over-the-calf, black and they should be of silk, as is proper for
the descendants of stockings worn with knee-breeches.
A Universal Dictionary published in 1744 recommended “sea-green, cherry brown, purple-red and
umber” as appropriate for stockings, after counseling that the colour should harmonize closely with
that of the garments being. Sea-green having been out of style for some time, we can dispense with
this, but it is a fact that gentlemen of late have been dipping their toes into hues beyond the ‘safe’
range of black to dark blue. We are not, however, about to advocate the example of painter David
Hockney’s cheeful mismatches in two colliding colours.
For casual and less formal business activities, a partern might please, but nothing vivid, please.
Matching socks to tie can be effective, so long as the match is not too blatant.
The classic ribbed stocking is knitted on a four-plain, two-purl pattern, while certain elegant styles
are knitted in purl stitch only. The basic rule is that the wider the rib, the more sporty the stocking.
 |
| |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| If you have any reservations don't hesitate to contact us via email or telephone. © 2001-2008 Don's Footwear Online. All rights reserved. Elevator shoes can increase your height Return Policy Security Contact Us Elevator shoes |
