Socks are a major part of our life. You may not realise it, but they are a part of almost every outfit you wear and are even used when chilling at home when you want to get extra cosy.
All About Socks
But despite how prevalent socks are in our daily life, there are tons of things people don’t know about them. Socks have a rich history that spans thousands of years, countless people have used them throughout time, and up until now, some people struggle with properly caring for their socks.
In this article, we’re talking all about socks. We go through a couple of fun facts and anecdotes about them, the proper procedure to care for them, as well as some sock designs and trends that have transformed the market as we know it.
Keep reading to learn more.
What You May Not Know About Socks
Did you know socks were worn by Roman soldiers?
Or did you know that countless cultures around the world have some sort of sock in their traditional garb?
If you didn’t, there’s no need to worry. There are tons of little-known facts about socks that are actually incredibly interesting. Here are some cool facts about socks that you may not know;
They Were First Worn by Cavemen!
Yes, you read that right. Socks can be traced all the way back to our ancient ancestors. However, they’re a bit different from the socks for girls, boys, and adults that you might find at your local sock shop. Anthropologists have said that there are a lot of indicators out there that suggest our ancient cavemen ancestors actually wore socks on their feet to keep warm and protect them from the terrain!
These ancient socks were likely made of animal skins. Experts believe that after skinning the animal, our ancestors would wrap the skin around their feet and secure it on their ankles. A real unique take on the ankle sock, if you ask us!
Take note that since there’s no historical record to use as a reference, this is largely speculation, despite all the evidence out there. And even if the first socks weren’t used by cavemen, there is evidence that they were used all the way back in Roman times, where soldiers wore them under their sandals.
The Original Socks Were Split-Toed
As we mentioned earlier, ancient Romans wore socks under their sandals. As much as it might be a fashion no-no in this day and age, socks and sandals seemed like the hottest trend in ancient Rome. Although joking aside, this was probably for practical reasons over anything else.
Wearing split-toed socks under their sandals allowed the Romans to easily slip their feet into their footwear. Additionally, the woven socks also absorbed sweat and provided crucial warmth when it got cold. And this wasn’t just in ancient Rome, either, as experts have also found ancient woven socks at Oxyrhynchus in Egypt.
There Are Socks for Every Occasion
Whether you plan on hitting the football pitch, going to a fancy gala, or just grabbing a couple of drinks with your friends, there are socks for the occasion. In this day and age, we are blessed with sports socks, ankle socks, knee-high socks, and more.
There are socks in bold and bright designs, as well as simple and more laid-back ones. This allows everyone to find a pair of socks that perfectly suits their needs!
Socks Have Multiple Uses
Aside from being a great style option, socks also keep our feet warm. If you’ve ever tried walking around barefoot during winter, you’ll know how much of a difference it makes if your feet are warm. Socks give us extra insulation that is great for maintaining our body temperature.
On top of that, socks also help us out when it’s hot! Sweaty shoes are never ideal. They stink, wear out quickly, and feel uncomfortable. But if you wear high-quality socks, they absorb all the sweat from your feet, keeping you as comfortable as possible!
Socks Have Been Made From Tons of Different Materials
Throughout history, socks have been made out of wool, skin, and a bunch of other materials. But in this day and age, a new type of sock is taking the market: sustainable socks. We all understand that our planet is in danger because of human practices. So, many sock companies, such as FAZL and Conscious Step, are all about developing socks that are good for the environment and society on top of being comfortable and stylish!
Some of the sustainable sock companies we collaborate with have come up with highly innovative methods and ways to create socks made from everything from a blend of paper and organic cotton to recycled plastic - all while being 100% breathable and washable!
How To Take Care of Your Socks
If you have a nice and comfortable pair of socks, you have to take care of them properly. After all, most people buy socks with the intent of using them for a long time coming.
So, with that in mind, here’s a quick guide on how to properly take care of your precious socks.
Wash Them Separately
This is the most common mistake people make with their socks. Overcrowding the washing machine can lead to frays and rips because of clothes rubbing against each other. So, if you have a load of clothes in the wash, it’s best not to mix in your socks. When you mix in your socks with a regular load of laundry, they can get frayed or ripped because they are very delicate.
So, we highly recommend washing a big batch of socks separately from your other clothes. That way, you don’t have to deal with organising later on.
Turn Them Inside Out
Another great tip for taking care of your socks is to turn them inside out when washing. The wash cycle of modern washing machines can be tough, and all that spinning and friction can cause your socks to fade. And if you have intricate or bold designs on your socks that you absolutely love, flipping them inside out before washing will keep the exterior safe.
You can also clip the pairs of socks together after turning them inside out in the wash so that they stay together, and you don’t have to worry about looking for pairs once they are dried.
Only Use Cold Water
Washing your socks with hot water can cause the dye to fade, reduce elasticity, and damage the fabric. This is why we recommend only washing your socks in water colder than 30 degrees Celsius. Depending on the material of your socks, hot water can also cause shrinkage. On top of that, washing with hot water takes a larger toll on the environment, so take care of your socks and the planet by washing them with cold water.
No Harsh Chemicals, No Tumble Drying
Another thing to remember is to choose the right detergent for your socks. Since even sustainable socks are made out of sensitive fabric, avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach. When it comes to socks, most detergents work, especially if they don’t have any harsh chemicals, so make sure to stick to light detergent.
Additionally, putting your socks through the tumble dryer can also lead to problems such as shrinkage and even cause a fire depending on the material of your socks. For the best results, we recommend wringing your socks and then to hang dry them.
Game-Changing Sock Designs
Here are a couple of Iconic socks that have caused a ripple effect on the market throughout the years.
The Classic Dress Sock
This is probably the oldest sock on this list. Traditionally worn with suits and other formal wear, crew socks can come in classic and understated colours or in large and loud patterns designed to attract attention, and is the ideal sock for individuals who want to make a bold statement. Kind Socks are known for their range of outstanding crew socks and they come in a range of different styles, patterns and colours.
The No-Show Sock
The no-show sock is a favourite for many people as you can wear skirts, dresses, and shorts without having your sock peep out from your shoe. This is great for many different shoes, such as sneakers, loafers, and other low-rise shoes, and outfits and has allowed for great leaps in casual fashion.
Sports Socks
If you’re a regular gym-goer or sports enthusiast, you probably know that you can expect to sweat when you hit the gym, field, or court. That’s why companies, such as Thought, have come up with different sports sock designs and technology to absorb sweat while keeping your body cool. If you’re into sports, these trainer socks are probably abundant in your drawer because of all the support and benefits it offers when doing physical activities.
Sustainable Socks
The last type of sock that has taken the world by storm is sustainable socks. In this day and age, there are sustainable socks for girls, sustainable socks for boys, and even sustainable running socks for those who engage in a lot of physical activities.
Sustainable socks are generally made out of sustainable materials. Some companies, such as Re.socks, use recycled plastic to create their socks to reduce environmental impact.
Sustainable sock companies also make sure to employ ethical work practices wherein employees, designers, and consultants are all treated properly and compensated accordingly for their hard work.
Conclusion
Socks are a major part of our lives, and there’s no denying that. But as times start to change, so do our socks.
We have some of the most sustainable socks at Our Sock Stories. These come from the top brands out there that use sustainable materials and ethical and transparent manufacturing processes when creating their products.
We make sure to stock up on the best sustainable sock brands out there. We offer a wide variety of socks, all from sustainable and ethical brands, to help anyone out there find just the right socks for their needs!