Knee socks: The joy of socks
by Wendy Wethers
Knee socks don't have to be the domain of goths or under-twelves. Think fishnets, angora, polka dots... the knee sock is a non-conformist style saviour and can be worn with anything from jeans to skirts to ball dresses to make the world twinkle again...
A battle is raging. While it might not be as dire as other battles being waged in the world, it is nonetheless rage-inducing and stressful. Somewhere, at this moment, someone is trying to wrestle into a pair of pantyhose.
Perhaps Ms. Grrl just got out of the shower and her wet legs make it impossible to pull the flimsy pantyhose over her skin. Maybe her pinky nail has snagged and pulled a monstrous run from toe to knee. Maybe she is waddling in shame to the bathroom because her stockings have made the long roll-down past the hem of her dress.
For every woman who skips out her front door bright-eyed every morning with her hair perfectly in place and flawless hose shining in the morning sun, there is another woman who leaves with curls askew, broken nails and frustration over a host of wardrobe malfunctions.
Two simple words can make your day brighter and less hectic: knee socks. Or over-the knee socks. Or even thigh socks.
My own love for socks started when I was in high school. I was determined to wear unmatching socks every day. Fast forward to a few years later, and my knee sock fetish was taking over my life. I admit it. I'm an addict.
Knee socks are the best fashion choice for almost every outfit, if you ignore the sporty styles many girls wear out in today's modern world. They can be worn with jeans, dress slacks, short skirts, long skirts and, for the brave at heart, shorts. They come in an array of shapes, sizes, patterns and styles. They don't rip, run or wear out as fast as pantyhose and tights. And, with garters and sock glues, it is easy to prevent a shorter roll-down.
Unfortunately, many standard department stores haven't caught up with knee sock demands. When pantyhose made its debut in the late 1950s, well constructed and reusable silk stockings were slowly phased out. Outside of children's fashions, many stores now stock plastic and paper bubbles filled with delicate nylon hose and knee highs (which never stay up and have the same running problems as hose), athletic socks, and dainty anklets.
Usually, knee socks come in the form of thin trouser socks in dowdy colors and conservative argyles. More creative socks are either marketed to teens with crazy colors or the Hot Topic goth crowd with black stripes and cartoon graphics.
You might be asking yourself, "If I can't get them in stores, where can I find the perfect stockings for me?"
Enter Sock-dreams.com, a website devoted entirely to selling and glorifying socks of all sorts. Advertised mainly in alternative magazines, Sock Dreams sells every kind of sock and sock accessory imaginable. While it does offer a wide range of hose, just like department stores, it also boasts a dizzying assortment of knee socks, over-the-knees and thigh highs. They even have their own blog devoted to new shipments, news and their worship of the soft foot coverings.
Fishnets? Check. Angora? Check. Stripes? Check. Polka dots? Check.
In addition to Sock Dreams, the web offers a plethora of choices for the sock-minded who want to spend some cash, from Ebay.com to Joyofsocks.com.
In a world full of conformance and fashion blandness, it's time to pull our socks up high.
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