My second-biggest domestic project—after clearing out the extra room—has been to upgrade my pathetically understocked sock drawer, and I have to say that life looks not-insignificantly brighter when your socks match and have no holes. Mostly I’ve been focusing on warm and high-functioning pairs, but I’m also a sucker for something cute and fun, like this fancified athletic pair.
Shout out to my mom’s dear friend Anne (a regular GOACA reader), who tipped me off to these socks when I saw her over the holidays. They’re by a company called Darn Tough, based in Vermont, and apparently they guarantee their product for life. I like that they’re wool (and wool blends) but are also thin (at least some pairs are) because too-thick socks make it impossible to get my boots on, which starts the day off poorly.
I guess it’s becoming clear by now that pretty much the only print I can handle on a sock is stripes, and this color combination is especially appealing.
Of course I always make an exception to any rule for animal prints, and while these don’t look terribly warm, they are adorable.
Likewise this colorblock pair.
Sock story of the day: My hubby, 20-yr old daughter and I went for a day at the mall and while they were geeking-out over LOTR bobble heads (Lord of the Rings – we even dedicate meals to “What would Hobbits eat?”), I was bored out of my skull and found a whole display of pretty flowered socks, which I thought would be comfy for TV watching and such, so I bought a pair. We got home and regrouped to watch a movie after changing in to our cozy clothes. I plunked my feet up on the coffee table and about a half hour into the movie, my daughter says, “OMG, Mom! You’re wearing weed socks!” I argued that they were clematis socks, which my husband laughed at and agreed with our daughter. “Nope. Those are weed socks!” I’m not sure how I missed that…
Another brand I quite like is Farm to Feet. Also recommend the site Sockdreams.com for fun socks and tights.
Those Darn Tough socks come in some lovely colors and patterns! What a find!
I prefer knee high socks in the winter months and good ones that don’t pill/hole after a few wearings are sometimes a chore to find. Recently bought some boring black Hues which are holding up so far. I perused the Darn Tough site and they have patterned ones in my category. I like all of the choices above, I’m a sucker for stripes & animal prints.
Also in the hate-buying-socks-cause-they-never-fit category. I realized only this year that I fit really well into my 5 year old son’s socks, so now that’s all I buy.
Sound like you have a small foot (I wear a size five so I understand). I have had good luck with Target girls socks. I am partial to the Cat and Jack “liner” socks for that no-sock look.
I almost only wear wool socks, because my feet sweat and everything else gives me uncomfortably cold feet. Smartwool has several weights, a range of sizes and both plain and striped options. I’ve also had good luck with a slightly cheaper brand called Fits, but they can be harder to find. One tip: sporting goods stores tend to have a better and larger selection of quality, sized socks than department stores, in my experience.
I used to only wear Smartwool socks, but was bummed when they wore thin at the heel or popped a hole in the toe because they are expensive. Darn Tough to the rescue — I love this brand and not just because I live in Vermont! When I don’t need warm socks, I wear all the funny ones that say things like “F*ck off I’m reading” or “I don’t like people either” with my boots. No one can see them but knowing they are down there makes me laugh inside.
Where do you find these fun saying socks?! Right up my alley.
My sock drawer is also a pathetic mix of hole-y and mismatched. I ❤️ socks, but hate to buy them since I’d have to buy tons and they are relatively expensive for things that will unfortunately also soon be lone and ripped. I also have a small (size 5) foot, so it’s rare to find any that fit right. Sigh.
I have smallish feet (size 6), and one-size-fits-all socks always have a bunch of excess fabric at the toe. It’s unusual to find socks in S-M-L sizes; I’ve done well with Smartwool, and now am glad to add Darn Tough to the very short list.
Darn Tough socks are my favorite hiking socks, and now they’ve crept over into my every day wear. Great recommendation.
I have a large foot (size 11) and I am always looking for socks that don’t take up much room. LOFT tends to have nice, thin socks. And they are quite often 40% 0ff. Also, Nordstrom has ankle length sheer socks. I love to wool ones but I’m allergic.
I recently “konmarie’d” my sock drawer so I can see what I have. If you like Smartwool socks, Sierra Trading Post is a great place to find deals on them.