Bobby sock

For the 1940s Americal female youth subculture, see Bobby soxer (subculture). For the American rhythm and blues singer whose stage name was Bob B. Soxx, see Bobby Sheen.

A woman in a marching band uniform, including bobby socks walking down a street
A drum majorette wearing bobby socks in Ann Arbor, Michigan, July 8, 1939

Bobby socks are a style of women's socks. They are white and worn ankle-length or collected at the ankle, instead of being rolled up fully extended on the leg. The term is derived from the socks being worn "bobbed", meaning around the ankle.[1]

The popularity of bobby socks among young American women in the 1940s led to this demographic being popularly referred to as "bobby soxers".[2]

They were initially popular in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s, later making a comeback in the 1980s.[3]

  1. ^ "Etymology of phrase 'bobby sox'". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
  2. ^ Jane & Michael Stern's Encyclopedia of Pop Culture: An A to Z Guide of Who's who and What's What, from Aerobics and Bubble Gum to Valley of the Dolls and Moon Unit Zappa, Jane and Michael Stern. HarperPerennial, 1992, p. 61
  3. ^ Bowling, Beatniks, and Bell-bottoms: 1940s–1950s, Sara Pendergast, Tom Pendergast. UXL/Thomson Gale, 2002