Warm weather is here, and it's almost time to say good bye to my socks until fall. If I wear shoes at all in warm weather, I wear sandals, and by the grace of God I am not one to wear socks with my sandals.
I like socks. I hunt out the sock department in stores and gather up the best pair from the racks, like picking the best apples from the tree. Some people don't give them much thought and settle for buying them by the bag--6 black pair for $10, for example. Or for those who give even less thought to socks, 6 white pair for $10. Those people don't care about fit and feel and style or even durability. They just know they need socks. These are probably the same people who don't care about paper towels and are content with the cheapest roll they can find at the Aldis.
For those of us who actually put thought into our socks, we each have different priorities and look for different qualities. Here is what I look for:
Casual socks: I don't mind patterns as long as they don't look like something grandmothers and kindergarten teachers would wear, which means no flowers and no cats. I love cats, but not on my socks. I like moderate thickness--not big spongy things you'd mop the floor with and not thin things that slide down into your shoes when you walk. I like subtle colors--for the Photoshop dorks, imagine sliding the saturation tool to the left a bit to get the perfect color value. I like socks that hit below mid-calf. And I like the elastic to be loose and comfortable so as not to leave permanent lines and so as to allow for a little slouching. My favorite brand is Columbia.
Dressy socks: by dressy I mean the kind you might wear with nice pants and dressier shoes. They have the look and feel of tights but only go up to the knee, and they are NEVER to be worn with skirts--a message to all those women at Wal-Mart with skirts that fall at the knee and trouser socks that fall just below the knee. Dressy socks are fun with patterns--tone on tone--and I like a variety of basic colors--black, navy, dark brown, tan, white. I like wearing white-on-white patterned dressy socks with my black suede ballet shoes, except on orchestra concert nights when all black is required. I have a special pair of black lace socks for those evenings. I allow slightly more elastic on dressy socks because I don't want them to be slouchy. On the other hand, there is no need to cut off the circulation enough to cause gangrene. I don't have a favorite brand.
So, I will soon say good bye to my collection of socks in the sock drawer as I dust off the sandals and polish the toe rings. I'll look forward to next fall when I can slip on the comfy, out-fit-detailing, and sometimes even comforting socks that I love. Until we meet again.
I like socks. I hunt out the sock department in stores and gather up the best pair from the racks, like picking the best apples from the tree. Some people don't give them much thought and settle for buying them by the bag--6 black pair for $10, for example. Or for those who give even less thought to socks, 6 white pair for $10. Those people don't care about fit and feel and style or even durability. They just know they need socks. These are probably the same people who don't care about paper towels and are content with the cheapest roll they can find at the Aldis.
For those of us who actually put thought into our socks, we each have different priorities and look for different qualities. Here is what I look for:
Casual socks: I don't mind patterns as long as they don't look like something grandmothers and kindergarten teachers would wear, which means no flowers and no cats. I love cats, but not on my socks. I like moderate thickness--not big spongy things you'd mop the floor with and not thin things that slide down into your shoes when you walk. I like subtle colors--for the Photoshop dorks, imagine sliding the saturation tool to the left a bit to get the perfect color value. I like socks that hit below mid-calf. And I like the elastic to be loose and comfortable so as not to leave permanent lines and so as to allow for a little slouching. My favorite brand is Columbia.
Dressy socks: by dressy I mean the kind you might wear with nice pants and dressier shoes. They have the look and feel of tights but only go up to the knee, and they are NEVER to be worn with skirts--a message to all those women at Wal-Mart with skirts that fall at the knee and trouser socks that fall just below the knee. Dressy socks are fun with patterns--tone on tone--and I like a variety of basic colors--black, navy, dark brown, tan, white. I like wearing white-on-white patterned dressy socks with my black suede ballet shoes, except on orchestra concert nights when all black is required. I have a special pair of black lace socks for those evenings. I allow slightly more elastic on dressy socks because I don't want them to be slouchy. On the other hand, there is no need to cut off the circulation enough to cause gangrene. I don't have a favorite brand.
So, I will soon say good bye to my collection of socks in the sock drawer as I dust off the sandals and polish the toe rings. I'll look forward to next fall when I can slip on the comfy, out-fit-detailing, and sometimes even comforting socks that I love. Until we meet again.
Comments
For me it's black, black or black (predictably). I wear white socks ONLY on the tennis court.
I'll reserve judgement on your choice of socks until we have some photos, Robyn. Up 'til now I thought the only women who could wear socks and look good were Japanese girls.
Get out your camera and prove me wrong.
Yes, I do buy the cheapest kitchen roll I can.
Ms Mac. See, I knew there was a connection between socks and paper towels.
As for sox: I prefer thigh high’s on a woman
Socks, old favourites are best. For winter nights, frozen and strictly only when alone for obvious reasons, i have a thick, loose pair of hand knitted ones which now have holes. They are bright red and were knitted by my ex-husband's ex-wife's mother who i'm sure had no idea they would end up on my feet. Old and battered, but i love them.
Thigh long socks - I ADORE THEM. Problem is buying them, i can never find them!
So all you men out there: don’t neglect your woman’s feet.
I can also confirm your socks-paper towel connection theory. I like a bargain, but I'm really picky about my socks: they have to be comfortable, the elastic not too tight, and the color should definitely match or complement my outfit. :) And no cutesy, dorky prints, puh-leeze...
For my kitchen, I only buy VIVA paper towels, they're the best (and almost $2 even at WalMart...).
Oh, yeah...and I also love socks. Summer is all about the flip-flops, though.
Totally with you on the flip flops though. One warning: rubber flip flops, especially magazine-free ones, are FATAL on pavements after rain. I kid you not. TAKE THEM OFF AND BAREFOOT IT HOME OR BREAK YOUR NECK. lol.