Puttees are a distinctive leg wrapping, historically associated with military uniforms, particularly in World War I, as well as with colonial forces and explorers. In poetry, puttees appear in war and adventure verse, their khaki color and winding pattern evoking the infantryman on the march. They are practical, preventing debris from entering boots and providing ankle support. In anti-war poetry, puttees are often mentioned in grim descriptions of soldiers slogging through trenches, their once-neat wrappings now caked with mud. In colonial poetry, puttees might be worn by British officers, signifying empire and discipline. Their winding nature also invites metaphors of binding, restraint, and the long, winding road of military service. Their use has declined, making them a historical marker in poetry set in the early 20th century.

Puttees are a distinctive leg wrapping, historically associated with military uniforms, particularly in World War I, as well as with colonial forces and explorers. In poetry, puttees appear in war and adventure verse, their khaki color and winding pattern evoking the infantryman on the march. They are practical, preventing debris from entering boots and providing ankle support. In anti-war poetry, puttees are often mentioned in grim descriptions of soldiers slogging through trenches, their once-neat wrappings now caked with mud. In colonial poetry, puttees might be worn by British officers, signifying empire and discipline. Their winding nature also invites metaphors of binding, restraint, and the long, winding road of military service. Related terms include gaiters, spats, and leggings. Students should note the puttee's specific military associations and its role in signaling war and empire.