Ankle high socks (on men)?

[FedoraFan112390]

A question--
This is a photograph of my grandpa (foreground in the white shirt) and his brother, apparently playing some sort of game. It was taken in August 1973. Both were of the Golden Era generation--one was born in 1912, the other in 1920. As you can see, both have on ankle high socks. Was this something men wore commonly in the Golden Era and beyond? Or did they have some cultural purpose, or practical use? I ask because you don't usually see that on guys today.

My grandpa is wearing a white V neck T-shirt and plaid shorts; His brother is wearing a polo shirt and slack shorts.

 

[DavidJ]

Actually, I see a lot of guys at my school wearing socks like these. A lot of baseball and track guys do it, along with guys who don't play competitive sports.

 

[Feraud]

Neither men are wearing ankle socks. One is wearing dark dress socks and the other common white athletic socks.

 

[Lincsong]

Fascinating

 

[Tomasso]

Your grand father is wearing crew length dress socks. His brother is wearing either crew length or over the calf athletic socks; hard to tell. Both lengths have been around for ages. Men's ankle socks are primarily athletic wear.

 

[scottyrocks]

The crew socks look about right for 1973. Ankle socks didn't become very popular until years, if not decades, later, at least in my experience.