Knee-high | Napoleon Bonaparte Gift Set - Knee-high - Limited edition

Set of 6 replicas of Napoleon's stockings - Limited edition

May 5, 2021 marked the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's death. To celebrate this chapter in French history and the love of socks, the Mes Chaussettes Rouges boutique acquired a pair of silk stockings worn by Napoleon Bonaparte himself. 

Now it is your turn to experience excellence firsthand (or rather, toe-first) by acquiring this exclusive set of 6 pairs of over-the-calf socks, replicated from the pair worn by Napoleon, each in a color evoking an event from the emperor's life.

The 6 colors of the pairs in the over-the-calf sock set :

• Brienne : The uniform of the military school Napoleon entered at the age of 10 included  Napoleon steel-blue socks.
• Consul : The first among them after the famous 18 Brumaire, then consul for life following a plebiscite,  Bonaparte loved and wore  red.
• Emperor : The attire worn at the coronation on December 2, 1804 established white as the official color, hence these  ecru silk socks.
• Imperial Guard Chasseur : Although he was Emperor,  Napoleon was also a soldier, with the soul of a  little Corporal; his favorite color had always been  green, the color of the Imperial Guard Chasseurs. Worn during his greatest victory, the Battle of Austerlitz, of course,  Napoleon liked to dress his feet as a chasseur.
• Guard Grenadier : These grenadiers are undoubtedly the most iconic of the Emperor's old soldiers, with their predominantly  blue uniforms and bearskin hats.
• Bicorne : Napoleon was a brilliant strategist on the battlefield. But he was also a silhouette. That silhouette owed everything to his bicorne worn in battle formation (you couldn't make this up), even though the custom of the time was to wear it upright (in column). This black sock therefore pays tribute to this highly distinctive style element. And we added a mark of the  little Corporal's fearlessness: « Sire, withdraw, or I will have you carried away by my grenadiers ». General Walter wanted to protect the Emperor, who exposed himself too much to enemy fire in order to better assess the situation. So much so that he was wounded several times, including at Essling in the heel. This sock black therefore bears a mark at the toe and heel, in blood red.  
  

We offer three sock heights:

1- Mid-Calf Socks

Height: mid-calf socks are long socks that reach just below the knee, right above the calf curve.

Advantages: they provide better hold and fully cover the shin. Their height is suitable to be worn with dress pants.

2- Crew Socks

Height: crew socks are short socks that reach the middle of the calf.

Advantage: they are suitable for people who wear slim-fit pants.

3- No-Show Socks

Height: no-show socks are very short socks. Two cutouts: one for sneakers that reaches below the ankle bone and one for loafers that reaches below the instep.

Advantage: no-show socks are invisible in sneakers or loafers but still protect your feet and shoes.

For socks made from plant-based materials:

Cotton lisle, Cotton & Linen:

• Washing: machine wash at a maximum of 40°C
• Spin cycle: between 600 and 1000 rpm;
• Ideally, wash the socks inside out and in a laundry bag to prevent pilling and preserve the colours;
• Drying: tumble drying and ironing are strongly discouraged;
• Air dry, with socks hung up or laid flat. Recommended to preserve the quality of the fibres and the natural shape of the socks.

Cotton Sea Island & Silk :

• Washing: machine wash cold or up to 30°C (ideally on a delicate cycle)
• Spin cycle: maximum 600 rpm;
• Ideally, wash the socks inside out and in a laundry bag to prevent pilling and preserve the colours;
• Drying: tumble drying and ironing are strongly discouraged;
• Air dry, with socks hung up or laid flat. Recommended to preserve the quality of the fibres and the natural shape of the socks.

For socks made of animal fibres:

Wool merinos, cashmere, vicuna, camel hair :

• Washing: machine wash cold or up to a maximum of 30°C
• Spin cycle: maximum 600 rpm;
• Ideally, wash the socks inside out and in a laundry bag to prevent pilling and preserve the colours;
• Drying: tumble drying and ironing are strongly discouraged;
• Air dry, with socks hung up or laid flat. Recommended to preserve the quality of the fibres and the natural shape of the socks.

N.B: 

• For the first wash, it is recommended not to mix light-coloured and dark-coloured socks.
• When in doubt about which cycle to use, hand washing is always effective and safe for delicate materials.
• Learn more about caring for your socks