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19th century Iranian socks (TRC collection)Hosiery is a garment for the foot and leg, which is normally made out of a flexible, knitted material. It includes leggings, leg warmers (tubes), socks (ankle, knee, thigh), as well as secret socks such as those just covering the toes or the soles of the feet.
Open footwear includes items such as flip-flops, mules and sandals. They are usually defined as leaving uncovered all or most of the upper foot. They may be with or without a heel. Open footwear tends to be worn in the warmer summer months or in hot dry regions where shoes would be too warm.
Closed footwear includes items such as shoes and boots, in which the upper part of the foot is totally or to a great extent covered. A boot is basically an extended shoe that also covers the ankles. Boots may reach to the calves, knees or even the upper thighs (fishing waders). Shoes tend to be worn in regions where the climate and geography require more protection than can be given by a sandal.
Over shoes include footwear such as pattens and galoshes, which are worn on the outside of other footwear to protect them from the rain, mud and dust. The are usually taken off when indoors. The exception are pattens worn in bath houses (hamam) in Muslim countries to protect the feet from splashed water. Traditional skates that are tied to a pair of shoes or boots are another example of over shoes.
