Seemingly Simple Sock Search
November 21, 2018 4:29 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for something that seems like it would be easy to find: a pair of cotton athletic socks in a variety of solid colors. American Apparel sold a nice pair about a decade ago, but no longer. And nobody else does, either, it would seem.
If I had my way, I would wear white athletic socks (specifically, Hanes no-shows) all the time. But at the same time, I enjoy wearing dress shoes. The combination is not a great look.
I used to be one of those guys who bought a lot of zany, whimsically-colored and patterned socks, but there's something about dress socks I just don't like. They don't feel right to me. I do miss wearing socks that weren't super-boring, though.
There is what seems like an obvious solution to me: athletic socks in colors other than white. It's something that has worked for me before, with the aforementioned American Apparel pairs. I had a pair in a nice light purple that got a lot of attention, for example. They were comfortable enough that I could play sports in them, but looked nice enough that I could wear them with a jacket and tie for semi-formal occasions. And they were the perfect complement to my everyday wardrobe of t-shirts and khakis.
Except... they don't exist anymore. American Apparel no longer offers them. Big sock brands like Hanes don't offer them. Athletic footwear brands like Nike don't offer them. I can't find anything on Amazon or Google that fits the criteria. It's like the world just decided that plain cotton athletic socks can only come in white, black, or gray, or else in crazy multicolor "technical" patterns.
The closest I've found is soccer socks, like this. There are two major drawbacks to these, though. First, they're too long. I don't want a knee-high sock; more like mid-calf. Second, they're generally either polyester or acrylic, which feel slimy when I sweat (which is often). I have not yet found one even in cotton blend, let along 100% cotton.
Some other snowflakes:
-I would like to avoid logos and other markings if possible. If they are logoed, on the bottom of the foot (like Hanes). I don't want logos on the calf, in case I wear shorts.
-I also don't like wool; too itchy.
-A lot of athletic socks have a band around the arch area (like this), which I don't really like and would prefer to avoid.
-I am looking for a wide range of colors. At the bare minimum, I want red, sky blue, royal blue, navy blue, kelly green, orange, and gray.
-I am open to hiking socks like this if they meet the other requirements.
I have pretty small feet for a guy (men's 8.5), so I don't have a problem buying socks made for women if they fit my other criteria.
Thanks in advance!
If I had my way, I would wear white athletic socks (specifically, Hanes no-shows) all the time. But at the same time, I enjoy wearing dress shoes. The combination is not a great look.
I used to be one of those guys who bought a lot of zany, whimsically-colored and patterned socks, but there's something about dress socks I just don't like. They don't feel right to me. I do miss wearing socks that weren't super-boring, though.
There is what seems like an obvious solution to me: athletic socks in colors other than white. It's something that has worked for me before, with the aforementioned American Apparel pairs. I had a pair in a nice light purple that got a lot of attention, for example. They were comfortable enough that I could play sports in them, but looked nice enough that I could wear them with a jacket and tie for semi-formal occasions. And they were the perfect complement to my everyday wardrobe of t-shirts and khakis.
Except... they don't exist anymore. American Apparel no longer offers them. Big sock brands like Hanes don't offer them. Athletic footwear brands like Nike don't offer them. I can't find anything on Amazon or Google that fits the criteria. It's like the world just decided that plain cotton athletic socks can only come in white, black, or gray, or else in crazy multicolor "technical" patterns.
The closest I've found is soccer socks, like this. There are two major drawbacks to these, though. First, they're too long. I don't want a knee-high sock; more like mid-calf. Second, they're generally either polyester or acrylic, which feel slimy when I sweat (which is often). I have not yet found one even in cotton blend, let along 100% cotton.
Some other snowflakes:
-I would like to avoid logos and other markings if possible. If they are logoed, on the bottom of the foot (like Hanes). I don't want logos on the calf, in case I wear shorts.
-I also don't like wool; too itchy.
-A lot of athletic socks have a band around the arch area (like this), which I don't really like and would prefer to avoid.
-I am looking for a wide range of colors. At the bare minimum, I want red, sky blue, royal blue, navy blue, kelly green, orange, and gray.
-I am open to hiking socks like this if they meet the other requirements.
I have pretty small feet for a guy (men's 8.5), so I don't have a problem buying socks made for women if they fit my other criteria.
Thanks in advance!
OK I found this so quickly that I am wondering if I've missed something, so apologies if I have (I read your question twice but I do have a head cold) but here are some socks on Amazon that are a cotton blend and the only thing missing as far as I can tell is grey.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 6:59 PM on November 21, 2018
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 6:59 PM on November 21, 2018
You might want Uniqlo. If the Color Socks work for you, they've got about 36 options in the main line alone.
posted by fountainofdoubt at 8:24 PM on November 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by fountainofdoubt at 8:24 PM on November 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
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posted by misterbrandt at 5:32 PM on November 21, 2018