White Socks, Who Wore Them & Where Did The Idea Come From?

We all seem to consider the white sock wearing thing to be be associated with the 80's mods but didn't the sixties mods draw inspiration from the Ivy league look with the white socks and Penny loafers. One of the big inspirations to the sixties mods was Paul Newman who I have seen photographed in Ivy League suits etc.... What does the mod generation think?

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Permalink Reply by Kai Ahland on October 18, 2011 at 9:16

As I said on the other thread for us kids in our mid-40´s it was young Weller and the bands of ´79, though I don´t see why in turn THEY came up with it. Certainly not by copying 60´s mod bands. Maybe someone on here can come up with a picture of any member of the Who, Small Faces, Action, Artwoods or whoever wearing white socks (pictures of them playing tennis excluded). We were a whole generation of mods claiming love to detail, while wearing white socks! Mod in heaven, forgive us our sins, hahaha!!!

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Permalink Reply by Kai Ahland on October 18, 2011 at 9:23

I´ll go and check Richard Barnes.

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Harris on October 18, 2011 at 9:26

Here's what my good friend Matt Mccullock has to say

- Matt Mcculloch
  WHITE SOCKS ARE SPORTS SOCKS USUALLY TENNIS.THE IVY LEAGUERS STARTING WEARING THEM WHEN THEY ADOPTED THE TENNIS/POLO SHIRT AS AN EVERY DAY FORM OF CASUAL CLOTHING.THE AMERICAN SOCKS MANUFACTURERS IN THE LATE 50,S EARLY 60,S SWITCHED FROM THE TRADITIONAL FORM OF MAKING SOCKS STILL USED BY FINE ENGLISH SOCK MANUFACTURERS SUCH AS PATHERELLA TO NEW MACHINERY THAT MASS PRODUCED SOCKS PUSHING THE PRICE DOWN ON THIS ITEM TO A LOW WHICH MADE WHITE SOCKS A THROW AWAY ITEM.THIS WAS THE BIRTH OF THE TUBE SOCK WHICH USUALLY IS MADE OF SOFT TERRY TOWELLING COTTON WITH 2 COLOURED HOOPS..AMERICAN UNDERWEAR COMPANIES MOVED INTO PRODUCING SOCKS AT THIS TIME SUCH AS RUSSELL ATHELTIC.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Cameron on October 18, 2011 at 11:34

That would give you a sore head reading that Andy, with no full stops and no small case letters. Anyway, I have to admit that I am not sure where the white socks influence came from. I don't recall seeing many (if any) photo's of 60s Mods wearing white socks.

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Permalink Reply by Kai Ahland on October 18, 2011 at 18:15

Richard Barnes, page 48!

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Harris on October 18, 2011 at 9:31

Paul Newman a big inspiration to the original mods! White socks and Loafers and turn up levis

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Permalink Reply by Kai Ahland on October 18, 2011 at 9:39

Personally I don´t like the american/ ivy league influenced side of mod. For me it´s french and italian style refined in the UK. That does not say Belmondo didn´t wear white socks in 1960, lol!