In the 1950s school dances were often held in the school gymnasium. To avoid scratching the wood floors, students were asked to remove their shoes before entering. They danced in their socks and the sock hop was born.
Sock hops were casual get-togethers and students often came alone or in groups rather than with a date. Because of this custom, group dances like the stroll and the hand jive were popular, although teens did pair off for dances like the bop, the swing, the twist, the pony and the swim.
In the 1950s rock 'n' roll was becoming increasingly popular. The music for a sock hop was usually supplied by records played on a turntable and changed by a willing student, faculty member or disc jockey and included hits by artists like Bill Haley, Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley.
Some 1950s fashions worn by high school students at sock hops led to future styles. Blue jeans and T-shirts are examples. Sneakers also became popular because they didn't have to be removed to protect the floor.
Sock hops have seen a resurgence in the form of dances and parties with 1950s themes where participants dress in '50s garb and dance to '50s music without their shoes.
To view good examples of a sock hop, rent the movies "Grease" or "American Grafitti." Both feature sock hops complete with '50s attire and authentic dances.