Figure 1.--Here are the "below-knee" stockings offered by Sears in the 1942-43 Fall-Winter catalog.
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Figure 1.--Here are the "below-knee" stockings offered by Sears in the 1942-43 Fall-Winter catalog. |
Here is more on Sears knee socks--referred to in the title
as "Children's below-knee stockings". These are for both boys and girls and appear in a different part of the Sears 1942-43 Fall and Winter catalog (p. 282B). The models photographed appear to be all girls, but the drawing at the right of the advertisement shows two boys (in short pants) and a girl wearing the socks. One interesting feature here is the three ways in which one style of these socks could be worn--(1) with the top turned down; (2) with the top turned down halfway; and (3) with the top worn straight up. The boys in the
drawing wear their socks either turned completely down or straight up while
the girl in the middle adopts the compromise (the top turned halfway down).
Here is more on Sears knee socks--referred to in the title
as "Children's below-knee stockings". Various terms are used for hosiery. We are not sure why Sears used this term, especially because they use the term kneesocks elksewhere in the catalog. We note here there are both turn-over-top socks and socks which just extend to knee level.
These socks appear in a different part of the Sears 1942-43 Fall and Winter catalog (p. 282B) than a page devoted specifically to boys' hosiery.
Sears labels these kneesocks as for children. Sears suggests that these are for both boys and girls. The models photographed appear to be all girls, but the drawing at the right of the advertisement shows two boys (in short pants) and a girl wearing the socks. I don't know if any gender implications are intended by this illustration. I suspect that the boys would have preferred the turned-down look, but the drawing does not indicate that this is the case. The implications of this ad it seems to us is that these solid color kneesocks are primarily designed for girls, but could be worn by boys as well. Note that on the boys' hosiery page that the kneesocks offered for boys were all done in patterns. The gender labels used in catalogs have to be taken with some caution. We note for example that Sears continued to refer to kneesocks as "children's" hosiery well into the 1970s when boys were no longer commonly wearing them. A factor here is that theoretically the company widen's the mrket by calling them children's rather than boys' or girls' hosiery.
Sears offered four styles of kneesocks which they refer to as "below-knee stockings".
The Sears ad copy reads, "Low price for soft cotton. 14 c. Pr. 3 Prs. 40c. It's the softness that makes the big difference. Fine, soft cotton that wears surprisingly well. Plain color legs and feet, with plain turned-down ribbed cuffs. Shpg wt., pair 3 oz. Colors: dark brown, medium blue, navy blue. Sizes: 6, 7, 8, 9. Be sure to state size and color.
86 D 2869 -- Pair 14c.; 3 pairs 40c.
The Sears ad copy read, "Youngsters, too, like cotton terry. 14 c Pr.; 3 prs. 40c. They'll love the soft feel of mercerized cotton and cotton terry. Straight, snug-fitting tops . . . the heels and toes are reinforced for a lot of hard wear. Shipping weight, pair, 3 oz. Colors: brown, medium blue, dark green, red. Sizes: 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2. State size and color wanted. 86 D 2836 -- Pair 14c.; 3 pairs 40c.
The Sears ad copy read, "Mercerized cotton turn-down cuffs. 19 c Pr.; 3 prs 55c. Striped turn-down cuffs, distinctively modern, in soft long-wearing mercerized cotton. Rich, eye-catching colors that every youngster likes. Toes and heel reinforced for more wear. Shpg wt., pair, 3 oz. Colors: brown, green, navy blue. Sizes: 7, 8, 9. See size scale below. State size and color wanted on order. 86 D 2826 -- Pair 19c.; 3 pairs 55c.
The Sears ad copy read, "Our best . . . finer mercerized cotton yarns, strong double tops. 29 c. Pair; 3 pairs 85c. It's always fun to wear these colorful mid-length socks . . . whether you wear the tops up or down. No matter how you wear them, the knit-through stripes always show. And besides, they're so soft and good-looking. Knit of fine
mercerized yarns . . . the kind that take such beautiful colors. And they're better quality than the socks at left. Rich colors that most every youngster likes. 2-ply heels and toes give a lot of extra wear. Shipping weight, pair 3 ounces. Colors: brown, maroon, navy blue. Sizes: 7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9, 9 1/2. Be sure to state size and color wanted on your order.
86 D 2867 -- Pair 29c.; 3 pairs 85c."
One interesting feature here is the three ways in which one style of these socks could be worn. Seas advises, "Tops are adjustable to length you prefer." The options were: (1) with the top turned down; (2) with the top turned down halfway; and (3) with the top worn straight up. The boys in the drawing wear their socks either turned completely down or straight up while the girl in the middle adopts the compromise (the top turned halfway down).
These socks are made in sizes from 6 to 9 1/2 (with some variation in the size ranges). This would mean that they were designed principally for boys and girls from about 6 to 13 or 14.
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