i like fun socks

It started some time in grade school. We first wore navy blue cable knit knee socks with our ugly plaid uniforms. When I got older, I started to chose patterned socks over plain blue. Although we had to wear white blouses, our socks and sweaters could be any color. I liked to to match my sweater and socks but completely ignore the plaid skirt or jumper. One of my favorite combinations were a striped sweater and argyle socks. 

My socks were not this nice.

My socks were not this nice.

There was a period after college when I wore colorful cotton crew socks slouched with penny loafers. I admit that it was not a good look but it was more comfortable than nylons.

I would own loads of fun socks except my feet are big. Women's socks typically fit shoes sizes 7-9. My feet are more like 10.5 or 11. I got tired of trying to stretch the socks over my long toes. After I moved to Florida, I only wore white athletic socks when working out or wearing sneakers. I eventually got rid of the few pairs of socks I had kept. 

Stance socks

Stance socks

Thanks to Fab, I found that they make fun socks for men. I gladly bought a few pairs from Stance. The socks fit well over my feet but not so much over my fat calves. I only wore these with jeans which I would wear a handful of days. It just doesn't get that cold in Florida. Stance makes some low cut socks but they slip off my heels. I gave them away. 

I tried Happy Socks. They are thinner than Stance but tighter on my calves. I only got a couple of pairs.

When I was preparing to go to North Carolina for a few days of photography, I got some hiking socks. I found were Wigwam wool socks. They are wool and I expected some itching. There was no itch and I loved the way they felt. I tried some Wigwam wicking socks but I really liked the wool. I tried wearing them in summer and found that my feet did get wet but never felt clammy. I would have a drawer full if not for the cost. Wool socks are not cheap. They cost between $12 and $20 a pair. 

I got a half dozen pairs of Wigwam socks. They are all the same size and color. It is easy when I wash them. Pairing them up is no problem. I learned that drying socks in the dryer will wear them out quicker. The heat degrades the elastic. I lay the socks on top of the dryer and they are dry the next day. Stance and Happy Socks take much longer to dry. I have to hang them up. 

Keen Presidio MJ with Happy Socks

Keen Presidio MJ with Happy Socks

I started working at Macy's. Our uniform is a black shirt, black slacks and black shoes. It is hot and I sweat. I tried some cropped pants and found they helped though my quarter-crew socks looked a bit odd. When I got some MaryJane style shoes and the Wigwam socks looked really bad. I got out some of my fun socks I hadn't worn in months. Because of my weight loss, I can wear them pulled up my calves. The red socks with polka dots from Happy Socks were a big hit. Maybe bright socks could be my thing? I got three pairs of Alfani socks from Macy's. They are thin and my feet slide too much when wearing them. I tried wearing two pairs but that was too tight on my calves. I can wear them with my sneakers. The Alfani socks are large so I dried them in the dryer to help them shrink a bit. I purchased some Alfani socks for women and they fit perfectly before I washed them. 

I like the feel of Stance Socks, They are a bit thicker. Both the Stance and Happy Socks are snug on my calves and by the end of the day, I am eager to remove them.

Keen coronado sneakers with Happy Socks

Keen coronado sneakers with Happy Socks

By now, people are used to seeing my silly socks and expect to see them. And I keep looking for fun socks that aren't too expensive.