Mens Socks
Know The Different Types Of Mens Socks
When you walk inside a department store, it is impossible to not notice a particular spot where mens socks are being sold. However, when you look at a pair of socks, have you ever really thought how many kinds there are and if they serve a particular purpose?
Dress Socks – these are especially designed to be worn by men. These are specifically meant to be used for special occasions. This is the proper type of socks that should be worn for formal events or with anything from a business suit to a formal tuxedo. Some of the top name brand dress socks come from well known designers such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren (as in “Polo Ralph Lauren”). Another well known brand that you won’t be disappointed in is Gold Toe Socks.
Athletic Socks – athletic socks are designed to be used especially for vigorous activities and sports. These often provide great insulation and support to prevent the individual from having an injury while engaging in their activity of choice, including preventing blisters in individual activities such as running socks, as well as cuts and scrapes that often occur in team sports. That is why you’ll see specialized soccer socks that allow for protective shin guards to be worn underneath to hiking socks that will protect your feet, ankles and lower legs from getting scratched by the environment.
Some of the better known brands for athletic socks include Underarmour men socks as well as the standard athletic brands you know for shoes; Nike socks and adidas socks.
Casual Socks – as they are aptly called, casual socks are meant to be used on any day, with any casual outfit and for any particular activity. These often come as mid calf crew socks that are just right and can be worn with any type of casual footwear (quarter mid calf is another option to consider).
If you’re looking for where to buy this kind of casual crew sock, you will find them at stores such as Old Navy or even Target or Walmart. The nice thing about buying your socks in places like this is that they will often offer them in sets or packs mens socks of 3, 6 or even a dozen pair all together.
A York bar striped sock is one of the current favorites for this genre of casual sock. Keep your eyes out for them the next time you’re sock shopping!
Ankle Socks – these are rather short. In often cases, these only cover the surface of the foot. These provide the illusion that the individual who wears it is not wearing socks under their sneakers. These are especially great when paired with shorts on casual days or during workout sessions or exercise routines.
Thermal Socks – many people think thermal socks are especially meant for the colder times of the year, but the truth is they work equally well when it is hot out. While they are rather thick and provide great insulation, they also help to moderate excess heat by wicking moisture from the skin to the outer part of the sock where it can evaporate. This not only helps to keep your feet dry and comfortable, but also works like an evaporative cooler.
These types of socks are often presented in mid-calf length while there are others that are available in longer lengths and even low cut socks are made with thermal materials. So don’t limit yourself to any preconceived notions that a thermal sock is only meant for winter use.
Medical Socks or Diabetic Socks – These are made from specific materials that can promote wellness to an individual. Some of these socks provide additional insulation or compression that common variety socks cannot provide. Some are also designed to minimize foot odor.
Gold Toe Socks
Where to Buy Gold Toe Socks
Socks are worn primarily to protect feet from chafing when wearing shoes, to provide warmth, to protect shoes from the damage caused by perspiration, and to make the feet comfortable.The humble men’s sock has a long history.
The word sock comes from the Latin word soccus originally, which evolved into socc in Old English and socke in Middle English. Romans wore a shoe known as the soccus, which was soft like a sock and could be removed quickly. The earliest versions of the sock were animal skins tied around ones ankles.
Around the time of the fifth century socks known as puttees were worn by some deeply religious people in Europe, and symbolized purity. By the eleventh century, socks were commonly worn by the nobility as a symbol of their wealth. They became more widely used after the late sixteenth century when the knitting machine was invented, allowing socks to be made much more quickly. Socks were commonly made from cotton, wool or silk until nylon was introduced in 1938, causing a revolution in women’s hosiery.
Socks for men became gradually shorter in the first half of the 20th century, and the word stocking came to refer only to the longer styles for women. The amount of coloring and design on socks for men has fluctuated, with bright colors and designs being popular through most of the history of the sock, then plain, dark-colored socks becoming the norm in the 19th century and most of the 20th, and bright colors and designs making a bit of a comeback lately.
Today there are many different styles of men’s socks, varying in length from ankle socks to knee socks, and with some styles encasing each toe individually while others have a separate compartment only for the big toe. The other variations in style mostly have to do with which kind of shoes will be worn with the socks, and how much of workout the feet will be undergoing.
For example, boot socks with extra cushioning are worn with boots, while athletic socks with a ribbed top are for when participating in sports and thermal socks are important when hiking in cold weather. Dress socks, thin and usually black, are worn with formal wear, while argyle socks with geometric patterns are worn with attire that is more casual. One popular style of sock features a dark color for the entire sock except the toe, which is a brighter color, and nearly always gold. If you are looking for gold toe socks, here is a guide for where to find them.
You should always look online for gold toe hosiery, rather than in a shoe store or department store. The selection is much more varied and you can get the best price, without worrying about shipping costs because socks are so light. Simply do a search for “gold toe socks” on a search engine such as Google or Bing. You will find a wealth of online stores with pictures of this style of sock. First find some brands you like, and then compare prices for those brands at a price-comparison website such as bizrate.com. When you make your purchase, make sure free returns are allowed. Happy shopping!