Toe socks (also known as fingersocks, glove socks, 5-toe socks or digital socks) are socks that have been knitted so that each toe is individually encased the same way as fingers within a glove.
Striped toe socks
All sock lengths are available as toe socks, from no-show style to anklet and ankle socks through to knee-high and over-knee socks. They are also available with rubberised undersides, as an alternative to bare feet for yoga. Toe socks are designed and available for both men and women.
The original concept of toe socks may be attributed to Ethel Russell (also known as Ethel Wynhym) of Pennsylvania. On June 14, 1969, she filed a copyright with the United States Copyright Office for two drawings of footwear which she termed, "mitten toe socks" and "glove socks". She was unable to maintain the exclusive rights for their manufacture, however, because copyright law of the United States does not afford this protection – patent law does.[1]
An earlier reference to "stockings with toes" was made by physician Walter Vaughan in 1792, speculating that these would prevent discomfort from the accumulation of sweat between the toes.[2] It is not clear whether Vaughan ever put this idea into action.
19th-century stockings with toes exposed at Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia, near Rome, Italy.
Toe socks became popular in the United States during the 1970s and made a comeback in the 1990s as a novelty item worn by adolescents. During the 1970s, it was fashionable for girls to wear clogs or buffalo sandals with toe socks.[3] In colder weather, they may be worn with flip-flops.[4] During this time, such socks were typically knee high in length with bright stripes and glittery threads in their design. They also had a practical value in keeping the feet warm, including the spots between the toes.[5]
One of the earliest variants of toe socks is the Japanese tabi, dating back to the 16th century. These are split-toed socks with two compartments – one smaller compartment for the big toe, and a larger compartment for the four remaining toes. This allows them to be worn with zori or geta sandals.[7]
Modern variants of toe socks are designed primarily for either comfort or athletics. In 2004, a patent was filed with the Intellectual Property Office in the United Kingdom for a product called "toe socks"; however, their description differs: "A half sock which covers the toes to provide comfort under footwear. Preferably the socks are unseen when worn with mules or slingback shoes."[8]
Variants have also evolved to include compression socks and other specialty performance models for professional sports as well as uses which require high durability. In sports, athletic versions of toe socks may be useful to triathletes who suffer from frequent interdigital friction blisters.[9][10] One version of sock referred to as "toe socks" is actually a reverse version – this is a covering for the foot and ankle with the toes cut out, leaving them bare. This provides a non-slip surface and provides for a more complete range of motion for form-fitting yoga, Pilates, or Wii Fit exercises.[11]
^"Russell v. Trimfit, Inc. 428 F.Supp. 91 (Civ. A. No. 75-1764)". United States District Court, E. D. Pennsylvania. February 15, 1977. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
^Vaughan, Walter (1792). An Essay, Philosophical and Medical, concerning Modern Clothing. London: Gillman.
^Mansour, David (2005). From Abba to Zoom: A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century. Kansas City, Missouri: Andrews McMeel Publishing. p. 59. ISBN0-7407-5118-2.
^Stoller, Debbie (2010). Stitch 'n Bitch Superstar Knitting: Go Beyond the Basics. New York City: Workman Publishing Company, Inc. pp. 186. ISBN978-0-7611-3597-5. toe socks+flip-flops.
^Marshall, John (1988). Make Your Own Japanese Clothes: Patterns and Ideas for Modern Wear. Tokyo: Kodansha International, Ltd. pp. 108–114. ISBN0-87011-865-X.
^Werd, Matthew B.; Knight, E. Leslie. (2010). Athletic Footwear and Orthoses in Sports Medicine. New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London: Springer. p. 180. ISBN978-0-387-76415-3.
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Toe socks also known as fingersocks glove socks 5 toe socks or digital socks are socks that have been knitted so that each toe is individually encased the same way as fingers within a glove Striped toe socksAll sock lengths are available as toe socks from no show style to anklet and ankle socks through to knee high and over knee socks They are also available with rubberised undersides as an alternative to bare feet for yoga Toe socks are designed and available for both men and women Contents 1 History 2 Variants 3 See also 4 ReferencesHistory EditThe original concept of toe socks may be attributed to Ethel Russell also known as Ethel Wynhym of Pennsylvania On June 14 1969 she filed a copyright with the United States Copyright Office for two drawings of footwear which she termed mitten toe socks and glove socks She was unable to maintain the exclusive rights for their manufacture however because copyright law of the United States does not afford this protection patent law does 1 An earlier reference to stockings with toes was made by physician Walter Vaughan in 1792 speculating that these would prevent discomfort from the accumulation of sweat between the toes 2 It is not clear whether Vaughan ever put this idea into action nbsp 19th century stockings with toes exposed at Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia near Rome Italy Toe socks became popular in the United States during the 1970s and made a comeback in the 1990s as a novelty item worn by adolescents During the 1970s it was fashionable for girls to wear clogs or buffalo sandals with toe socks 3 In colder weather they may be worn with flip flops 4 During this time such socks were typically knee high in length with bright stripes and glittery threads in their design They also had a practical value in keeping the feet warm including the spots between the toes 5 nbsp Sandra Magnus in toe socks STS 135 By 2004 toe socks were available in plain colors and being adopted as normal footwear They have even been worn in outer space notably by astronaut Sandra Magnus on the International Space Station during the STS 135 mission in 2011 6 Variants Edit nbsp Japanese tabi socksOne of the earliest variants of toe socks is the Japanese tabi dating back to the 16th century These are split toed socks with two compartments one smaller compartment for the big toe and a larger compartment for the four remaining toes This allows them to be worn with zori or geta sandals 7 Modern variants of toe socks are designed primarily for either comfort or athletics In 2004 a patent was filed with the Intellectual Property Office in the United Kingdom for a product called toe socks however their description differs A half sock which covers the toes to provide comfort under footwear Preferably the socks are unseen when worn with mules or slingback shoes 8 Variants have also evolved to include compression socks and other specialty performance models for professional sports as well as uses which require high durability In sports athletic versions of toe socks may be useful to triathletes who suffer from frequent interdigital friction blisters 9 10 One version of sock referred to as toe socks is actually a reverse version this is a covering for the foot and ankle with the toes cut out leaving them bare This provides a non slip surface and provides for a more complete range of motion for form fitting yoga Pilates or Wii Fit exercises 11 See also Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toe socks Sock Dress socks Anklet Vibram FiveFingers a five toed minimalist running shoeReferences Edit Russell v Trimfit Inc 428 F Supp 91 Civ A No 75 1764 United States District Court E D Pennsylvania February 15 1977 Retrieved July 21 2012 Vaughan Walter 1792 An Essay Philosophical and Medical concerning Modern Clothing London Gillman Mansour David 2005 From Abba to Zoom A Pop Culture Encyclopedia of the Late 20th Century Kansas City Missouri Andrews McMeel Publishing p 59 ISBN 0 7407 5118 2 Stoller Debbie 2010 Stitch n Bitch Superstar Knitting Go Beyond the Basics New York City Workman Publishing Company Inc pp 186 ISBN 978 0 7611 3597 5 toe socks flip flops Sagert Kelly Boyer 2007 The 1970s Westport Connecticut Greenwood Publishing Group p 125 ISBN 978 0 313 33919 6 International Space Station Imagery National Aeronautics and Space Administration July 11 2011 Archived from the original on July 18 2011 Retrieved July 20 2012 Marshall John 1988 Make Your Own Japanese Clothes Patterns and Ideas for Modern Wear Tokyo Kodansha International Ltd pp 108 114 ISBN 0 87011 865 X Woolley Stephanie May 10 2006 Toe socks United Kingdom Patent GB2419802A Intellectual Property Office United Kingdom Retrieved July 21 2012 Werd Matthew B Knight E Leslie 2010 Athletic Footwear and Orthoses in Sports Medicine New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London Springer p 180 ISBN 978 0 387 76415 3 Vonhof John 2011 Fixing Your Feet Prevention and Treatments for Athletes 5th Edition Birmingham Alabama Wilderness Press p 235 ISBN 978 0 89997 638 9 Loguidice Christina T Loguidice Bill 2010 Wii Fitness For Dummies Indianapolis Indiana Wiley Publishing Inc p 236 ISBN 978 0 470 52158 8 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Toe socks amp oldid 1138252704, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
