The Socks Drawer Blog

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.

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!

Functional, comfortable socks!

Did you know that there are specific socks for flip flops? What a brilliant idea! How many socks have I bent out of shape trying to accomodate flip flops in cooler weather! And regular socks aren’t that comfortable with flip flops. So now they have created a unique sock just for your flip flop comforts and styles! As I said previously, brilliant!

So what is a flip flop sock? It is a sock that has one separate area for your big toe, so that there is a neat place to slip the sandal strap between your toes without scrunching up your socks into a lump under your sandal! Here is an example from flip flop style. Click here to buy a great sock for your flip flops.

Toe socks are also another great way to accommodate flip flops. The difference between toe socks and flip flop socks are that toe sock separate all of your toes, where the flip flop socks separate only your big toe from the rest. Both are very functional and serve the purpose equally well.

Flip flop socks come in all different colors and fabrics, from fleece to cotton and plain to striped(my favorite!) So you can choose your comfort and style preferences AND wear your favorite flip flops when it’s cool! Now that is a great sock idea!

Toe socks are even more diverse than we thought! We thought they were for the fun and funky who like to dress up their feet and their wardrobe or for those yoga and Eastern exercise types. But now we learn that they have become all the rage among even the most All-American–baseball players. Yes, professional pitchers,  Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima of the Boston Red Sox are are changing what ball players puts their feet into before their cleats. Left fielder,  Hideki Matsui of the Yankees has also been wearing toe socks and converting fellow ball players. They are convinced that five-toed toe socks help them improve their pitching performance by allowing all their toes to grip and improve their agility. And so, how many other sports and activities might they be useful for? Hiking, football, walking, tennis, running, just to name a few.

Injinji makes some athletic toe socks with CoolMax fabric for optimal wicking and drying properties, and this fabric is made from recycled plastics making them a eco-friendly purchase as well. Injinji also makes outdoor toe socks made with Nuwool, a blend of natural-wicking merino wool, nylon, and spandex.

Feelmax is another brand that makes several toe socks for sports and outdoor activities.

ToeSox makes athletic toe socks from 90% organic materials. Socks are made with a fitted heel and arch support.

Toe socks have come in and out of style for decades. I remember the brightly striped toe socks my teenage sister wore with her Dr. Scholls sandals in the 70’s. Then they re-emerged in the 90’s as an  adolescent fashion trend that quickly faded. Recently, however, toe socks are getting attention again not only for a way to add fun to your wardrobe, but for better foot health! Toe socks advocates claim that they are healthier than conventional socks for the proper balance, grip, and support your feet need. Toe socks are compared to gloves for the feet. Because the toes are separated, they give the feet and toes greater dexterity to provide optimal muscular form and function. In fact, the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association) has given their seal of acceptance to toe socks made by injinji and Wigwam. Toe socks might be around for awhile now that evidence has shown them to have health benefits. For those looking for performance socks, try a pair to see how your physical activities improve. Or just go and splurge on some funky wardrobe fashion and be confident your purchase will be healthy for your feet too!