So, when the purchasing ban is lifted in 2010, I'm going here, and here, and maybe here. I want funky socks, comfy socks, durable socks, fun socks, dressy socks, sleeping socks, funny socks. Lots of socks.
Check out these beauts:
And these:
and, finally,
Related problem: The tights collection is also getting tired. I know there are Spanxx fans, Hue fans, MP fans, folks who swear by their H&M, those who just buy their tights wherever they happen to be (Target, Talbots, Title9).
My hosiery questions:
1. What are orphan socks called in your house (Paul's family always called them "Leppies") and are their rules about retaining or disposing of them?
2. Can adult women 40+ wear striped tights? To work?
3. Should socks contain polyester? What about nylon? What about spandex?
4. Wool socks: Good idea?
5. Knitting one's own socks: Good idea?
Please send links and recommendations and pictures of your favorite socks.
Today's outfit: J Jill yoga pants from the recent clothing swap. J Jill brown cami tank (purchased retail, I believe), gray fleece hoodie from QT. Bliss.
Knit your own!!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all how much do I love the legwarmers on the Artisan Socks website. Super cute.
ReplyDelete1. the running joke chez nous is that what you do in the afterlife is sort socks but we don't have a name for the extra ones.
2. yes, yes and yes again. excellent way to spice up a skirt combo. my favorites are givenchy tights, which i buy during the annual blow out sale at lori's shoes of chicago, the online store. i think snazzily patterned tights are a really cheap way to revitalize your wardrobe.
3. yes, yes and yes.
4. depends. we have no heating in our house except a wood stove so we really need them during the day.
5. no. darning, yes.
regarding the 2010 date, i pause only to say that were this a canadian or commonwealth blog, your starting date would be boxing day 2009. no trips to canada in your future? between the exchange rate and the boxing day discounts and your taxes refunded after mailing in your receipts that would be a good place to start.
these aren't on sale but will be by the spring:
http://www.lorisshoes.com/product.asp?lt=d&deptid=6768&pfid=LDS08317
also i love these:
http://www.sockdreams.com/_shop/image_upload/product_variety_4923.jpg
1. What are orphan socks called in your house:
ReplyDelete"Keeping the faith socks", not a religious thing, more of a plaintive & slightly naive hope the sock ninjas bring the other one back. Have a drawer filled with them.
Ultimately, "Kitty Toys"..
2. Can adult women 40+ wear striped tights? To work?
The older I get, the more I feel calling to be whimsical and fanciful in little ways every day.
I think we have an obligation, nay, a duty to add at least one point of non-serious to almost any outfit, especially at work.
So a resounding "Yes" from me, but I *would* say that.
My current "power socks" are a pair of multi-color dotted over-the-knee socks. They keep me smiling even when I'm the only one who know I have them on.
3. Should socks contain polyester? What about nylon? What about spandex?
All I can say is that I like mine that do.
4. Wool socks: Good idea?
Certain wool sock brands are a fabulous idea.
5. Knitting one's own socks: Good idea?
If you're like me and make hand-made things that look like they were made with your feet? (Stole that line from regretsy.com)
No, a horrible idea.
If you are like some of the amazingly talented friends I have?
Another fabulous idea.
Stay socksy!
Sock Diva L from Artisan socks.
(Thanks for the shout out! I <3 you! If you are in a sock buying mood in 2010, let me know, I'll see what I can do about the shipping charges or something :-)
Wow - first Dean Karlan weighs in on the behavioral econ, and then Sock Diva herself shows up! Makes me feel special.
ReplyDelete@Kyla -I'm curious - do the Brits and the Canadians think the new year starts on Dec 26? Thanks for the striped tights endorsement. You too, Sock Diva! I'll be back in 2010!
My friend M (who lurks but never posts here) reports that socks are wildly important to her as well. She thinks it dates from childhood -- having nice, unratty, super-comfy socks = "being well cared for". Love it.
Well.....the RETAIL year starts on December 27th (usual boxing day). And that's really all that matters. You're kind of getting the Jewish-Canadian calendar of a family whose women worked in fashion for a few generations. So I guess the answer is, yes, the New Year starts on boxing day chez Wazana.
ReplyDeleteCool socks are a must-have wardrobe accessory. Actually, maybe they aren't really an accessory afterall, but a staple!
ReplyDelete1. I no longer hold on to unmatched socks for me (I don't think I've lost a sock for years...hmmm does that make me OCD about socks?!) For the kids yes, because the mate is more likely to be found under the bed or in with the legos or something. We say the lost sock is in the hose zone!
2. Yes, striped, argyle, patterns every which way are fun, I think. But only with boots--I think there is such thing as too much of a good thing.
3. On poly, nylon, and spandex, a little but not a lot of extra unless it is a sports sock. Coolmax--whatever blend that is--is fine for workouts.
4. I am a firm believer in the wool sock. In fact, practically all my socks are smartwool--fancy designs too. I even have a number of work out sox that are smartwool--love 'em. And I live in SoCal so I find that all-weather thing about wool to be true. Oh, but no socks in the summer here!
5. Knitting ones own socks....hmmmm. Now, I am pretty crafty, but I never actually considered knitting my own socks. So, I would say unless it is a stocking to hang over the fireplace in December, I would skip knitting my own. My toes are too choosy!
Hand knit wool socks are the most comfortable thing I have ever put on my feet. Way better than Smartwool, or any other store bought socks. Even my mother, who is very picky about these things, wears socks that I knit for her all winter long and keeps asking for more!
ReplyDeleteHmmm....I might need to reconsider hand-knit wool sox. Thanks for the nudge!
ReplyDeleteOh, one more thing I forgot to add: In our area there is a children's group that sings a song called "Happy Feet" where your sox don't match. So, many kids around here start in preschool and at least through some elementary grades sport unmatched socks on purpose. Saving the lone mates makes sense if you have a kid who will do this!
I've even thought to try the purchased mismatched sox but never have yet. These look fun:
http://www.littlemissmatched.com (an entire site dedicated to matching mismatched items!)
http://www.uncommongoods.com (search for mismatched socks)
I love the little miss matched stuff and will probably get some for me and for the kids for Christmas.
ReplyDelete@Marie: post some sock patterns!! Are they easy? I'm terrified to try socks.
We love little miss matched - my daughter has socks and tights and my husband even has some socks!
ReplyDeletePatterns for knitting socks are everywhere. I like this one at wendy johnson's site
http://wendyjohnson.net/blog/sockpattern.htm
I usually pick an interesting stitch pattern to use on the top of the foot and the leg.
If you're new to sock knitting this is a good book to start with:
http://www.amazon.com/Sensational-Knitted-Socks-Charlene-Schurch/dp/1564775704/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259095318&sr=1-1
but there are a ton of books.
I never am without a sock knitting project in my bag - there are always people wanting more (my mom, my husband, my daughter, not to mention myself!)
I wrote on my blog recently about my mother's resistance to knitting socks and how she finally got over it
http://blog.loopie.com/2009/11/socks-of-love.html
Now I want to work on my socks, too bad I have to go to work!
Since buying Little Miss Matched socks and tie dying socks we have no idea if we are missing a sock. I highly recommend it. My husband has about a dozen pairs of the same gray wool socks (which he wears with any shoes and any length pants) so there is no problem with missing any of his socks.
ReplyDeleteUsing special sock yarn a friend knit a beautiful pair of socks for me and if I could I would knit some for myself.
No name for the socks. They should be thrown out if there is no match or if there are holes, or if the elasticity is gone.
ReplyDeleteYes, you can wear tights, even striped, but they have to be stripey-sexy or stripey-sophisticated, NOT stripey-Pippi Longstockingy.
NO NO NO on wool socks, and DON'T knit your own. Very labor-intensive and not that comfortable really. Unless you live in a very very cold place, in which case, maybe some hand-knit woolie for lounging...but Uggs would still probably fare better.
I think cotton socks are best, and a blend is good for the elasticity factor.
I love the cool socks you've chosen. Super-duper cute.
YES YES YES on wool socks, and DO knit your own. Very labor-intensive, a labor of love like most hand knits in a day and age of having a factory in China do it all for you. Quite comfortable really.
ReplyDelete