The Socks Drawer Blog

Grip socks are becoming more and more popular.  They were non-existant when I was a kid. Now, I see them everywhere.

These are super practical socks.  If you aren’t wearing a shoe, and you don’t want to slip and fall, grip socks are what you need!  Grip socks are just like any other sock you’ve ever worn, only with rubber grips on the bottom.  They are great for around the house.  You will often find slipper socks that also have the grips on them.

Grip socks are great for small children learning to walk.  Shoes, are sometimes too cumbersome, but they need something on their feet, so grip socks are the answer. Dancer’s also you grip socks for the traction they need.  Grip socks are also a fantastic solution for those doing yoga and pilates and other exercise classes.

You can get a variety of types of grip socks.  Any type of socks with many different quantities of grips.  These are practical and often necessary.  A needed sock, somewhat unique for your sock drawer!

Like any athlete or artists, dancers put more stress on certain parts of their bodies than others and therefore need to take extra care of those parts. For dancers, it is their feet. So socks and proper foot apparel is paramount.

So what options are out there for a dancer? Well the things dancers are thinking about is what will give them the right balance of traction and slide in addition to the comfort and care of their feet. So, once again, what are the options? Dancers need their own unique sock

There are those who prefer to go with out anything. Barefoot and natural.

Some prefer tube socks, something comfortable, well fitted, allows your feet to breath, and allows you to slide.

Some prefer half socks. These are an ingenious little invention, good for the non-dancing feet too! Half socks come in a variety of fabrics for your dancing preference. They come made of silk, cotton, Lycra. They come in a variety of colors. There are half socks with the rubber gripping nubs. There are half toe socks. These are really great for dancers, and allow one all the foot and toe movement one might need with the right balance of slide and traction. Great idea.

Another thing you might find in the sock drawer of a dancer is a foot ring or foot undeez. These are like a half sock minus the toes. Foot rings are fitted fabric bands that go around the ball of your foot. Foot undeez are like foot rings, but they anchor between your toe, like a flip flop. Again, allowing the for a balance of slide and grip

Some dancers would simply opt for tights.

When not dancing, foot care is equally important for dancers. They need to restore and guard their feet. Some do this with regular socks and good shoes, some use support socks or compression socks.

Foot care is incredibly important for dancers and so the right tools and essential. The right socks, go a long way.

Here are some foot undeez.

Mini skirts with high heels or dress boots are in fashion again. Another generation, another return of the previous generation’s fashion. Some girls like to wear leggings underneath for warmth or style. However, a unique way to dress up your legs when wearing a mini skirt or shorts is to wear over the knee socks.

Over the knee socks keep you warmer in cooler weather covering two-thirds of your legs, more than knee highs do. Athletes like soccer players commonly wear them as do cheerleaders and ice skaters. They are more than practical, though, and many people wear them just for the chic alternative in leg fashion. They come in solids and neutrals but there are lots of unique styles and colors, too, like stripes, argyle, fishnet, and ribbed styles.

Another practical way to wear them is under longer skirts to avoid wearing uncomfortable and bulky tights or nylons. Whatever your reasons for wearing them, the key in selection is to find a pair that stays form fitting and doesn’t stretch out after a few wearings.

I went searching for some quality over the knee socks and found some at the following sites:

Footraffic.com

Tabbisocks.com

Feelmax at Amazon.com

K. Bell at joyofsocks.com

Another Japanese sock trend I happened upon in my search for all things socks, was the loose sock.

In the early 1990’s the school uniform for girls in Japan was changed to a shorter skirt style. At that time some girls started to order and wear imported mountain climbing socks. These added warmth and also hid more exposed legs. Somewhere along the way, these high school girls started stretching them out, giving them a looser, sloutchy appearance. This turned into a huge fashion trend. Although these socks can be found in black and navy, white is by far the most popular. The biggest surge of this trend was in the mid to late 1990’s, however loose socks are still worn and trendy by highschool girls, especially in the more urban areas of Japan.

The loose socks are now available in Japan, and not imported. They are an extra long white sock that girls stretch out. They often use a special sock glue or other adhesive to keep their socks up. These socks are usually worn with mary janes or loafers. Loose socks became such a fashion rage at one time that schools would not permit them for a time!

So from function and utility to fashion trend, the loose sock is definitely a unique sock!

Here is a good shot of the Japanese Loose Sock

Here is how these Japanese Loose socks were worn with the school uniforms.

So in different cultures, people have different needs and requirements in their socks. In Asian cultures, it is incredibly taboo to where your shoes in the house. There are other cultures where this is the same.

The foot wear that the Japanese where is also different, also requiring a different sock. So what is it that the Japanese wear for a sock? Well in my search for all things socks, I have discovered at least a couple different types of socks that are Japanese. The one I will share about today is called the Tabi Sock. There are Tabi socks or Tabi boots.

Tabi boots are like a sock, however they are sown together of fabric, typically cotton and left open in the back with fasteners to keep them closed. Tabi boots have a sole sown onto the bottom for durability. Both Tabi socks and boots are split toe allowing for the traditional Japanese footwear, sandals. That is much like the flip flop socks. Tabi boots go past the ankle and there fore look more like a boot. Traditional tabi socks typically do not go past the ankle.

There are two types of Tabi socks, the traditional odori tabi sock and the stretch tabi sock. The stretch tabi sock is made of 100% nylon and are very stretchy and comfortable, they are machine washable and easy to get on and off. They are more like an American sock but still allow one to wear them with their sandals. These are the latest rage in Japan. How’s that for a unique sock!

Here is a picture of some Tabi socks and boots. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post on another Japanese fashion trend, the Loose Sock!

Here is a traditional tabi sock

Here are some tabi boots

Many little girls dream of being a ballerina! They dance around their home and pretend to be a ballerina! Ballerina’s are such a picture of beauty and gracefulness! It depicts much of what a little girl desires to be!

So of course little girls LOVE to have things that depict this image on them.

Ballerina socks are a great way to do that! I have seen all kinds of ballerina socks. From socks that actually look like ballerina slippers, to socks that have pictures of ballerina’s or ballerina slippers!

These come in all different styles and colors, however pink is probably the favorite and the most common.

Ballerina socks are a great way to add some whimsy and delight to your little girls wardrobe!

Have you heard of these? A product that is new to me.

This is a company that makes some pretty amazing socks! These socks are good for athletes, and for those with medical issues.

Here are some of the benefits or selling points of these socks.

Smooth toe socks protect your toes, they have no pressure points. They are a seamless sock.

They releive your feet and legs and stimulate blood flow with a graduated compression system.

They gently hug your legs preventing swelling.

They reduce bacteria with their coolmax fabric. A fabric that wicks moisture away from the body.

They are non constricting. They are made of Lycra and are secure all around, rather than a tight band at the top.

They maintain their integrity. They won’t get stretched out of shape.

They are form fitting and won’t wrinkle or bunch up in your shoes.

They calim that it is impossible to get blisters while where these socks and they significantly reduce blisters. They do this by reducing friction and by providing a cushioned sole.

They also provide mid foot support.

Pretty amazing. These socks are great for all types of athletes, from soccer players to dancers. They are also great for those with medical issues like diabetes, or even pregnant women who need extra comfort and support.

You can check them out at http://www.smoothtoe.com.

Summer came painfully slow to New England this year, but come it has!  I just returned from a favorite long walk which took me through a wooded trail, and some wetlands. Though it was a beautiful, invigorating time of solitude and meditation, I was encumbered by my wet, muddy cotton socks and soggy feet. I love the feel of all natural cotton against my skin, and on hot summer days, it’s the fabric of sock I usually reach for. But when will I learn?  For those like me who prefer the feel of natural fabrics, there is an alternative in merino wool. Wool acts as the body’s thermoregulator, helping not just to keep feet warm in cold weather, but helping to keep feet cool in warm weather.  When shopping for warm weather wool socks, be sure to select the lightweight fabrics.  Some great brands out there to try are:

Point6

Wigwam Ener-G made in the USA

Cabela’s Lightweight Hiking Sock

Smartwool PHd Micro Running Light

So get out there and walk,  hike, run, get sweaty, muddy and wet and keep your feet happy. Enjoy the sweet, short summer.

So this is a post that is about socks, but not in the traditional sense! I believe in using the things around me to teach my children. Socks are a fantastic tool for learning with small children.

Here are some of my favorite things to teach children with socks!

1. Matching skills. Every small child or early toddler needs to learn how to recognize like objects and match them up. Socks are perfect for learning this skill since they come two in a pair!

2. Sorting skills. Have your child sort your socks. They can sort them by colors, by size, by pairs, you name it. Sorting is an important skill to learn and socks provide a practical way to learn and practice sorting.

3. Motor skills. Most people roll their socks after washing and drying them to store them until needed. Rolling socks is also a great way to have a child practice their motor skills.

4. Counting by two’s. Using socks is what made things click for my oldest son when he was learning to count by two’s! It was a concept he needed to visualize and counting pairs of socks did just the trick!

5. Learning to contribute and work! I believe children can and should contribute to help with household chores, folding socks and putting them away is a great way to start! It is a task that is very doable for small children, teaches them other skills, and allows them to contribute to your household!

6. Old socks are great for craft projects and imagination! You can always make a sock puppet! My kids are able to find many other uses for an old sock or a sock that has lost it’s match. My oldest son uses socks as sleeping bags for one of his small stuffed animals!

So those are some of my favorite ways to use socks for the purpose of learning! Just another unique use of socks!

Handmade socks are some what of a rare commodity these days. What was at one time, the only option, is now a treasure and an art form.

Handmade socks have all the functionality of mass produced socks.  They are often quite comfortable,  sometimes even more comfortable than other socks.  Handmade socks come in a wide variety of yarns types (fabrics), styles, colors and functions.

I have seen handmade toe socks, pedicure socks, slipper socks, baby socks, work socks, hiking socks, everyday socks and comfy cozy around the house socks!  Handmade socks can be made to meet your specific feet and your specific needs or requirements.  They can be made uniquely for you!

I love the idea of handmade socks.  I think of someone making a pair of socks for someone and what an act of love that would be!  I think about buying a pair of handmade socks and what a great way that would be to support a small business or artist. I love handmade socks, for their practicality as well as the way they allow me another opportunity to add art and fashion into my wardrobe!

If you are interested in purchasing handmade socks, I would check with your local fabric or yarn store.  I would also ask around at the farmers market.  You could check craiglist and I know that etsy.com has several people who sell handmade socks locally!  What a great way to not only find unique socks, but to also support arts and crafts and the people who are gifted in those things!