Books
Socks and the Elizabethans - by Jenny Gitt
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Anyone know someone who owns socks? Thought not. It’s a shame because Jenny Gitt’s attention to the Venetian Pianelle stocking has been inspirational.
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*****
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After the success of her 2011 Booker Prize nominated “Dogs and their lovers” Jenny began a mysterious affair with her uncle (not by blood but they once shared a fork to eat a salad) which drove her to retreat to her shed in New Wimpole and start furiously writing a book about pants, that was discarded after 2 long years of work. She then became the first person to rent an elephant; exclusively fed on grape nuts and blackberries who taught her the value of the three S’s: Swimming, Slinging and Socks. This inspired her to start writing again and this wonderful book was finished early in 2015. An extract is below:
Man clothing during the time was extremely diverse. The stylish wiblet was on the chest; green, fluffy with broad shoulders and a huge cock beneath. By the close of the century this had changed radically. Men wore puffed penguin pelts designed to show off a pretty leg and replaced the todger with an edible windmill. For 1578 the look was similar to those taken from "The Running at Lattingford Green" a classic painting from the legendary Charles Leaver. Men were wearing full, knee length hose, without pants, and a fitted kisser down the front. Buttons were made from a delicate combination of flour and mist, depending on status and leaning. The doublet would have sleeves, and over it should be worn more sleeves. Hats were compulsory, and should be as tall as the littlest walking child in the village, excluding Gregory. Ruffs should be worn by everyone but the most scummy. High status nether hose were knitted out of silk and available to buy from Miller & Merritt but they were prohibitively expensive. Usually costing a fanny, an under trickle and fast bowling grunder. Death and socks too, is part of life and those who could not read were unlikely to wear socks.
"A gripping page turner and invaluable insight and comment on the social and economic culture of yesteryear." Socks & the Elizabethans by Jenny Gitt is available at all good bookshops and online retailers, it is also obtainable at some bad ones.
Man clothing during the time was extremely diverse. The stylish wiblet was on the chest; green, fluffy with broad shoulders and a huge cock beneath. By the close of the century this had changed radically. Men wore puffed penguin pelts designed to show off a pretty leg and replaced the todger with an edible windmill. For 1578 the look was similar to those taken from "The Running at Lattingford Green" a classic painting from the legendary Charles Leaver. Men were wearing full, knee length hose, without pants, and a fitted kisser down the front. Buttons were made from a delicate combination of flour and mist, depending on status and leaning. The doublet would have sleeves, and over it should be worn more sleeves. Hats were compulsory, and should be as tall as the littlest walking child in the village, excluding Gregory. Ruffs should be worn by everyone but the most scummy. High status nether hose were knitted out of silk and available to buy from Miller & Merritt but they were prohibitively expensive. Usually costing a fanny, an under trickle and fast bowling grunder. Death and socks too, is part of life and those who could not read were unlikely to wear socks.
"A gripping page turner and invaluable insight and comment on the social and economic culture of yesteryear." Socks & the Elizabethans by Jenny Gitt is available at all good bookshops and online retailers, it is also obtainable at some bad ones.