When were canes fashionable?
During the late 17th century through the early 20th century, a high quality wooden cane was a crucial accessory for the fashionable man. It told of the wealth and importance of individuals who could afford the silver or gold handle and sleek, hard wood quality.
However, there was a time when no gentleman would be seen without his cane, and there is a wide range of attractive antique sticks and canes still available for collectors and history aficionados to collect. Collectors Weekly notes that the period of peak popularity for the fashion accessory was between 1550 and 1930.
Until the 1800s, specialist carvers, metal workers, and artisans produced canes and walking sticks by hand. However, the popularity of fashion and gadget canes fueled a market for their mass manufacture and subsequently helped lead to their demise.
Today, canes are starting to be known as a cool fashion accessory than just a mobility device. Modern canes come in many unique styles, with almost any design feature one can imagine such as the knife or sword cane that utilizes a built-in blade or 1 million volt stun gun for self-defense.
In late 17th century and early part of the 18th century, the cane began replacing the sword as the accessory of choice for gentlemen about town in Europe and in the colonies. The more decorative a cane was, the more wealthy the gentleman was and it could still be use as a weapon in dire circ*mstances.
Around the 17th or 18th century, a walking stick took over from the sheep headers walking stick as an essential part of the European gentleman's wardrobe, used primarily as a walking stick.
- When standing up straight, the top of your cane should reach to the crease in your wrist.
- Your elbow should be slightly bent when you hold your cane.
- Hold the cane in the hand opposite the side that needs support. For example, if your right leg is injured, hold the cane in your left hand.
First used as a weapon, the walking stick or cane has long been a symbol of strength and power, authority and social prestige, predominantly among men.
Umbrellas and Canes
It was more popular in Britain and with American men who followed the traditional way of dressing. Some men continued the tradition of carrying the rolled umbrellas regardless of the weather, but most men turned to canes instead. All wood umbrellas or silver top stick or handle canes were in style.
United Kingdom armed forces
In the British Army and other militaries following the Commonwealth traditions, commissioned officers carry swagger sticks when in formal uniform as a symbol of rank.
What is a Scottish walking stick called?
The Scottish Staghorn Walking Stick - Hammacher Schlemmer.
For several reasons, I wholeheartedly agree that a walking stick is better than a cane. I see many people who have shoulder problems from leaning on a cane. A walking stick does not put pressure on the shoulder, but rather enables the biceps muscle to hold the body up.
Up until then, walking sticks had been used for centuries, originally as an aid for traveling over uneven ground and as a defensive weapon, and gradually as a sign of power, authority and, finally as a symbol for social status.
Holding the cane in the opposite side, does just that. When you step with your right leg, your left leg has to do all the work to support the body's weight. Putting the cane in the right hand allows the right arm and left leg to work together to support your weight.
Whereas a gentleman carries an umbrella or a walking stick he “wears” a cane. The umbrella and the walking stick are functional accoutrements; but a gentleman's cane is a finishing touch to his wardrobe.
It is believe that the red stripes of the candy cane represent the blood of Christ and the white stripes of the candy cane represent the purity of Christ. The three fine stripes are believed to represent the Holy Trinity. The ''j'' shape of the candy cane is said to represent the name of Jesus.
The white of the cane can represent the purity of Jesus Christ and the red stripes are for the blood he shed when he died on the cross. The peppermint flavor can represent the hyssop plant that was used for purifying in the Bible.
The white base color of the candy cane symbolizes Jesus' purity; the red stripes symbolize Jesus' blood when he died on the cross; and the J shape was chosen to represent the J in Jesus.
The 1920's Fashion trends were the shorter, low-waisted dresses and revealing styles worn by the Flappers, the 'bobbed' hairstyles, cloche hats, the casual, haphazard fashion of a mixture of brightly colored clothes, scarves and stockings with bold, striking Art Deco geometric designs of the era.
Housedresses were loose pullover styles in colorful gingham, plaid, vertical stripes, or solids. The use of aprons and labor-saving appliances at home—and the enlargement of women's life outside the home—meant that by the end of the 1920s, women were wearing more sophisticated day dresses all day long.
What do you wear to a Roaring 20s party?
Anything with beading, sequins, metallic thread, velvet, ruffled skirts, tiered layers, crochet, and even lace will be best for the party clothes. If it has sleeves, you can remove them for an evening affair or layer with a fringe shawl or lightweight evening jacket. Many '80s bead/sequin dresses can look fairly '20s.
Until 1939 swagger sticks were still carried by peacetime regular soldiers when "walking out" of barracks, but the practice ceased with the outbreak of World War II. Uniforms are no longer worn by British army personnel when off-duty, and the swagger stick has accordingly become obsolete.
A pace stick is a long stick usually carried by warrant officer and non-commissioned officer drill instructors in the British and Commonwealth armed forces as a symbol of authority and as an aid to military drill.
swagger stick in British English
or esp Brit swagger cane. noun. a short cane or stick carried on occasion mainly by army officers. Collins English Dictionary.
