Sock Garters

There was a time when knee socks were a standard part of the summer camp uniform. Most socks usually survived the first week or two, but as the summer went on–or a staff member came back for multiple summers–sometimes the sock just wouldn’t hold up. Those old wool socks in particular wouldn’t make it through the day once they started to stretch.

How to solve this problem? Sock Garters. They came in a variety of different forms. Some had buckles. Some had plastic buttons. They evolved and changed as time went on, but they all served the same function: hold up the sock. They were easy to use. Pull on the sock, attach the garter, fold the top of the sock down over the garter. Voila!

Seen here is Jerry Barnett in 1991 on Craig’s Veranda sporting his own sock garters. Don’t tell us that isn’t the sexiest thing you’ve seen lately.

Sexy Legs! Jerry Barnett’s Sock Garters, 1991. Collection of Dutch Mann