The 'Clock Sock'

Apparel Arts Magazine - Summer 1932

The hose selection is at five o'clock. On the bottom of the left page is the kit with the clock sock closest to my own. It suggests two ties at 10 & 2 o'clock. I prefer 2 o'clock. I'm guessing that's a white linen jacket (center top) with gray wool trousers (center bottom), a blue shirt (8 o'clock) and white bucks (6 o'clock).


Clothes and the Man by Alan Flusser - 1985

Flusser gives the easiest to understand advice about socks I've ever read. You're not going to find anything that sums up the wearing of hose better than this. In today's retail establishments socks are kept far away from suits. Sometimes on another floor. I remember going to pick up a suit at Britches of Georgetown in the '80s and the salesman would have my suit and a couple shirt and tie options with hose spread out on a billiards table in the back of the store. I didn't appreciate then. I'd really appreciate it now.

The Trad's Sock Drawer - Spring 2011

I've only become a fan of the 'Clock Sock' in the last six or so years. At first glance they reminded me of those nasty socks worn by skinny southern men with long necks in plastic and wire frame glasses and who, you were pretty darned sure, wore white sheets on weekend nights.

I've come around after seeing them in Apparel Arts Magazine. Mine are embroidered wool but feather light. They exude a '30s charm of discreet pattern and quiet elegance known only to the wearer, the man who shines his shoes and the woman who takes them off.