Wednesday, January 7, 2009

stocking feet

Socks are an odd adornment. You'd think they'd suffer a little from identity as to whether they belong with outerwear or underwear. But they know how to make themselves shine. They seem to be just as comfortably aligned with outerwear as in "socks and shoes" as they are lined up with underwear while sharing the same drawer space. I don't really think of them as 'underwear', but that is usually where you find them in a department store: on the edges of the 'lingerie' department and not beside the shoe department. Sometimes they become part of the 'accessories' department which also usually hugs lingerie. But unlike other underwear, the waistband of the Fruit of the Looms, or the skinny bra strap, or the hem of the slip, socks are meant to be seen. They peek out cheekily from the bottom of the pants (trouser) leg and the top of the shoe. There is always that dilemma as to whether to match them with the shoes or the outfit.

And a wrongly chosen sock can destroy an outfit and certainly alter another's opinion of yourself in the process (especially if they don't match). Your choice of hosiery may end up saying more about yourself than you ever imagined. You can get away with the hearts, cheeky messages, hockey logos, or cartoons on your briefs secure in the knowledge that only those of your choosing will ever actually see them. But socks have a way of being noticed by others. Are you an all black or only white sock kind of person? Or do you like a bit of argyle, some pattern, or a splash of colour? Or a Hello Kitty draped over your calf?

My niece (who is 30) loves to wear fancy socks. She has patterns and themes and drawings and bows and sparkles on all of her socks. I would not be caught be dead wearing such things. I like mine to be plain. Preferably black or brown, or maybe a beige for the spring. When I am heading out to visit a client at their home I take particular care to the socks I wear. One does not want to discover that one has decorated feet with obviously faded, or worn out and pilled socks. Or the ultimate horror: holey socks.

Socks are made for comfort as well as for style.

And now there are scented socks. Chenille slipper socks infused with microcapsules of lavender, green tea, eucalyptus, mango, green apple, rosewater, chocolate. I'm thinking that for my massage appointments, I could bring a selection. While my healing hands melt away tension, aromatherapy from my feet wafts upwards.

I'm wearing Eucalyptus. Waiting for my flu to be drawn out though my heavenly scented feet.

38 comments:

  1. If I,m wearing panst at work, it's brown or balck socks depending on the shoes. Winter only, no socks in the spring,summer or fall.

    Otherwise it's generally white short socks with my sneakers.

    I'm a very exciting person.

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  2. Eucalyptus scented feet, now that's something what I could recommend my SO :-)

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  3. Citizen: I have lightweight summer socks that have lasted for years, but my winter socks get replaced regularly.

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  4. Peter: if you have to have smelly feet.... :/

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  5. What a great idea for those socks!! I have had sweaty feet since arriving in Brisbane and no socks to be seen at all. Both my kids adore socks and like the ones with the individual toes in them.

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  6. I love socks. I have socks for different occasions.

    House socks for both summer and winter - these tend to be trainer socks but with patterns on - winnie the pooh et al, These are worn whilst in hospital as well

    Then there are the bed socks - those lovely fluffy ones that are just a dream to wear on cold winters night.

    I have the obligatory black and blue colours for when i was working but also have more fun ones to wear with trousers at weekends etc.

    In fact I have so many pairs of socks that they have their own drawer.

    MA

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  7. Boy, could I use your services about now! I can feel my shoulders that keep creeping up toward my ears until I force them back down where they belong, only to creep back up again. And I would wear my really soft and comfy off-white socks that are my pajama socks. Healing hands and warm socks, what more could one ask for?

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  8. LOVE socks. Especially chenille slipper socks and cotton hiking socks. And then therE are my cushy tennis socks and my psychadelic colored tie-dyed socks. And yes I have socks that reside next to my lacy undies and socks that inhabit their very own drawer!

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  9. I have a big drawer full of fun and serious socks, but I'm totally craving those scented ones you've mentioned, VioletSky. Where on earth would one get them, and would such a place have a branch in Vancouver????

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  10. Sagittarian: ooh, way too much material between my toes for those socks.

    MA: I have a basket for the winter socks as my drawer was overflowing

    Susan: if only I could get rid of this bug...

    PEACE: welcome. yeah, the chenille ones are new favourite

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  11. Pinklea: at Marks Work Wearhouse. Go wild!

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  12. Must admit that I have never given thought before, as to whether socks are underwear or outer wear.
    These past few nights its been so cold I wear socks in bed & thicker ones for playground duty.... fashion not being on my mind at the moment!
    Scented socks...... another thing that I haven't come across yet. Might be good for the men folk with sweaty feet!
    taking eucalyptus through your feet...... that is new! LOL!

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  13. I'm wondering what happens when rose scented socks meet sufferer of smelly feet. Oh my, what a heady brew would ensue!

    Curious about where one finds socks, in the store I usually shop at,the socks are alongside the shoes on the ground floor and the lingerie is tucked away on the first floor. In this instance socks are clearer seen as outer wear, along with tights and stockings... Hmmm...

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  14. I'm not consistent. Sometimes the socks are about comfort, sometimes about style and sometimes about making a statement. And underwear? no. Socks are outerwear to me in the winter. They are my "house shoes" that I also wear outside to check the mail or whatever. And yeah, that does tend to wear them out more quickly. Socks are good.

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  15. Scented socks! I didn't know. My hubby . . . well I shouldn't say.

    Massage therapist, eh? I'm with Susan. I had one a few times, and he had hands like a bear (big). He used to massage the Detroit Lions (football), but he told me I had the worst back he'd massaged. :| I did love it, but I felt like I'd been through a war after.

    Oh, and you reminded me of my sister-in-law, an attorney who realized in court one day that she had on one brown and one black shoe.

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  16. Maggie may: My feet MUST be warm in winter, so those socks are not a fashion statement for me either. I don't care how ugly they look so long as they are thick and cushioned and thermal.

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  17. Vanilla: I had the same thoughts about rose and sweat...

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  18. Geewits: Oh to be able to wear socks outdoors in winter...I must venture south next winter!! and yeah, I'm not consistent either. I sometimes wish I were a as free-spirited as my niece about my clothes.

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  19. Ruth: When you see someone with odd socks, it is hard to not take your eyes off the oddness, and snicker. Oh how embarrassing!

    And a good massage shoud not hurt badly, though it may mean having several until finally the muscles give in... IMHO

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  20. Scented socks? That is just so bizarre...

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  21. Jazz: It is bizarre. But, by the time I slather on foot lotion and immediately cover my feet the cotton socks end up becoming scented anyway.

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  22. I'm a dark coloured sock wearer, not too bothered which colour though.

    CJ xx

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  23. Scented socks? Really?!

    I just stick with plain white socks for the most part. Then there are the fuzzy socks that I have to wear around the house to keep my feet warm.

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  24. Crystal: yeah, I think of dark socks as sensible - shows much discolouring

    Whim: and supposedly, the scents have "medicinal" properties. I don't believe there's enough to do anything. Fuzzy socks are great, so long as you don't slip and slide in them (I don't have carpets)

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  25. I like to make a point now and again to pay some special attention to my feet. Feet tend to get forgotten way down there as far away from the brain as you can get. I can't stand holey socks and I don't like long socks, so mostly I have fairly plain ankle socks -- some with a subdued pattern, but all in hues of brown, black, grey or beige. And I'm not much in favour of scented anything, so definitely no scented socks.Cool post!

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  26. LOL, LOL....Great Post! Fun and I suppose, true in terms of fashion, too...Though...I am a one-kind-of sock person and have been for a Very Very Long time.....They are White and Very soft and comfy....And they are the "staple" socks of my wardrobe....Thorlo makes them, and now, I never wear anything else. When I used to be "out in the world" there was a bit more variety...But, now? None! (lol)

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  27. XUP: My feet will manage to scent themselves at times. But, I also am partial to the 'unscented' in things like lotion, deodorant, soaps, shampoos which gets more and more difficult.

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  28. Naomi: Once I find a perfect garment, I tend to stockpile it and wear it forever.

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  29. Well you know, you're supposed to put Vicks VapoRub on your feet for a cold, so eucalyptus socks are probably a good thing:).

    I actually usually wear my plain white socks, but sometimes I wear some with flowers on the toes. This is interesting for when you take your shoes off in peoples' houses in Poland.

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  30. Kylie: I always had Vicks slathered on my chest - to this day the smell makes me feel sick.

    Flowers on your toes - cute.

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  31. Hello from a fellow Canadian! I stopped by via a comment on the recent Blog of Note...so glad I did! My sister in law always has fancy socks....and even though I have always preferred plain I always find myself a little envious of her bold sock statement! :) I will be back to visit your wonderful blog often.

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  32. Andrea: Welcome. Glad to 'meet' you, neighbour!

    I think my socks reflect my personality - maybe if I wore more bolder ones, I could change?

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  33. I rarely wear socks. My daughter & I were greatly amused to see a man in a suit, with lovely tie, on the train. His socks said "F*** OFF" in large print, repeated.
    He suddenly noticed we had noticed, & he tucked his feet under the seat! And buried his face in his book!

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  34. Apparently the fashion now is odd socks according to my son!
    I used to wear fancy socks because they are mainly hidden in my boots but have other socks - black mainly unless they are for sports to wear when I am being sensible :)
    Katie,x

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  35. Katie: It is useful to have teens around to keep up to date!

    And now that I have these new stripey chenille socks, I love that surprise when I take off my boots and see my cheery looking socks. I'm tired of being sensible.

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  36. We won't talk about socks....

    Just wish I could knit them... then look out !!!

    I use Baby Booties as my "creative" sock outlet.. slow market these days

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  37. I agree, wrong socks can ruin your whole outfit, so i would say that socks are outerwear - also, ask a knitter - socks are really a hot item now in knitting magazines. But "scented socks" - I haven't seen them yet, but then I live in California, most of my socks are for decoration...like your writing style - glad I found you,
    keep warm, jeannette

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  38. Jeannette: Welcome and thanks.

    I have read that sock knitting is a 'new' craze (see, even MedStudentWife wants to knit them!)

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