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Where to buy socks?

It is utterly bewildering to me that there is any difficulty in finding socks in the styles mentioned. Every department store i've ever been to is packed to the gunwales with inexpensive men's socks in classic styles and good fabrics. You're just not looking hard enough!

Try to find them smaller than size 7, though. One size fits all, methinks not. Anywhere up to size 30, but not below size 7.

Maybe not your clocks, Scott, but the standard styles, at least - checks, argyles, stripes, etc.

bk
 

Brian Sheridan

One Too Many
Messages
1,456
Location
Erie, PA
Baron Kurtz said:
It is utterly bewildering to me that there is any difficulty in finding socks in the styles mentioned. bk

Sorry to cause you bewilderment but I live in a town where they ship all the crap that doesn't sell elsewhere. Remember bell-bottoms? Our stores got them at the beginning of the 1980's!!!!!!!! "Yeah, these are outdated - send them to Erie!"

It is freaking Wal-Mart country here. Tube socks reign.

Geeeeeeeeeeeez...........................

I hope you recover from your case of bewilderment soon.
 

in/y

One of the Regulars
Messages
117
Location
Hightstown, N.J.
Time to give this one a bump.

I was out shopping for socks lately and just couldn’t find anything that suited me. Over the years, I’ve tolerated what the department stores offered while never really finding any truly outstanding socks. This time I didn’t even find tolerable ones (perhaps improving taste with age).

Argyles just aren't my style. I would like something with some pizzazz, though not as much pizzazz as vknagari.com (mentioned earlier in this thread).

Poking around on the web initially netted me little. Finally I bumped into Kabbaz-Kelly. They certainly have some interesting socks (they are pricey though), some of which they tout as 1930’s style. Here are a few links to their socks (though these and many other styles are all on a single long page). The 1930’s socks are at:
http://www.customshirt1.com/Socks_M_Fun.html#Table%209
http://www.customshirt1.com/Socks_M_Fun.html#Table%2014

I also like this style (guess I’m a vertical stripe guy):
http://www.customshirt1.com/Socks_M_Fun.html#Table%202

Has anyone tried any of these socks (or by their makers Marcoliani or Bresciani)?

It’d be nice to know before I plunk down my $$.

Cheers!
 

cptjeff

Practically Family
Messages
564
Location
Greensboro, NC
I have become a very big fan of Gap's socks. Argyles and stripes (and a few more plain ones, but who wants those?) in both more conservative colorings and ones with an odd color thrown into the pattern- gray argyles with an orange overcheck for example.

Admittedly, they may be a rougher texture then many here might be looking for, but IMO they would be fine for anything but formalwear.
 

Lou

One of the Regulars
Messages
182
Location
Philly burbs
cptjeff said:
I have become a very big fan of Gap's socks.
All of my argyle socks are from The Gap, and I got them on sale for under $2.00 each. Although I can't stand what has happened with much of their clothing, I do like stopping in to check out their socks.
 
Messages
10,930
Location
My mother's basement
On those relatively rare occasions when I'm in the local Target, something like every couple of months on average, buying that stuff you may as well buy at a low-price place like Target (small appliances and electronics, linens, dishes, etc.), I hit the menswear department and grab me some new socks. I really don't know how the quality compares to what might be had at, say, Macy's, but the habit has kept me in socks that I can make work with whatever else I happen to wear. And these are socks that generally stay up, which I've come to see as a necessary virtue. Those that don't, regardless of their condition otherwise, become cleaning and shoeshine rags.
 

1961MJS

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,370
Location
Norman Oklahoma
Hi

I used to wear argyle socks back in the 1980's but have since devolved into buying a box of black sox and a box of tan sox from Dillard's or Kohl's whenever I wear the last box out. Usually a box holds six or 12 pair of sox. That way I only have to match blacks with blacks, and tans with tans. Saves wear and tear on my limited brain.

Later
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,074
Location
London, UK
John in Covina said:
This may have been answered elsewhere but I was wondering:

Should ones socks match
the shoes
the pants
or it depends on the situation.

The only "rule" I've ever seen is plain black for formal wear; otherwise I simply coordinate : whatever looks good.
 

Feraud

Bartender
Messages
17,190
Location
Hardlucksville, NY
^ I think socks should compliment rather than match the outfit. Do argyle or horizontal stripe socks match anything else in an outfit? Rather, the colors and patterns should work with the outfit.

Now that I think about it, this is the case for ties and hats too.
 

PADDY

I'll Lock Up
Bartender
Messages
7,425
Location
METROPOLIS OF EUROPA
Gents - I'm after authentic looking 30's styled/patterned knee socks to go with my tweed Plus Fours.
Links to where would be welcomed. UK Based preferably -thanks in advance Gents!

-PADDY.
 

Rathdown

Practically Family
Messages
572
Location
Virginia
Shooting socks? Powell's in Birmingham, maybe? You might also give the folks at Costello & Son (theatrical costumers par excellence, located in Ilford, North London) a call and see if they can steer you to a manufacturer. Someone (one of those up market Next type stores?) had faire isle socks a while back... Hope that helps.
 

Paul Roerich

"A List" Customer
Messages
435
Location
New York City
Gents - I'm after authentic looking 30's styled/patterned knee socks to go with my tweed Plus Fours.
Links to where would be welcomed. UK Based preferably -thanks in advance Gents!

-PADDY.


The Polo Ralph Lauren flagship store in London has very vintage-looking ones. Give the store a call. Ask for ones in fair isle patterns.
 
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Flat Foot Floey

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,220
Location
Germany
In Germany I found really good over the calf socks at Kaufhof. The brand is called Rover and Lakes. The pattern are far better than the usual Burlington argyles. They have 65- 80% wool I think and cost about 10 euros.
 

Sir RBH

A-List Customer
Messages
314
Location
Herefordshire, England
And now we can announce that we have a lovely range of Pantherella and Scott Nicholl socks online in our store

Please go to http://www.fogeyunlimited.co.uk/acatalo ... L86EKVLqJU
for the perfect festive treats...
So to celebrate this we would like to offer our friends a 10% discount for a very limited time. Please have a look at the site and enter the code SCOTT at the checkout to receive you 10% discount. Thank you. To be added to the Fogey Unlimited Mailing list just send us a message...
 
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Randy

Familiar Face
Messages
72
Location
Kentucky
I usually buy Patherella from one of the local mens clothiers (I don't care to support chain stores when there is any other option). They fit well, are durable, look great, and feel great. I can't speak to vintage pattern authenticity, but if you want quality and comfort you're in the right place. I don't know how many pairs of 'good' socks I have at the moment, but I like to have at least 7 or 8 different argyles (you can't have too many in my opinion), and then perhaps 5 or 6 pair each of brown, navy, and black solids.

- Randy
 

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