Socks

Dress socks of really high quality that can last for many, many uses are surprisingly difficult to find. That was our own experience, hence we spent a lot of efforts to develop our own ribbed wool socks together with a carefully selected Italian manufacturer. After we've tested our way with different mixes of material we found a perfect mix, and have socks that both stay up, keep the shape over time and not least are really durable, at the same time that they have all the pros with the wool.

The main feature of wool is that it regulates temperature naturally, which means that if it's warm outside they keep your feet cool, and if it's cold they help give warmth. If you mix the wool with nylon you increase durability, at the same time as we've added a bit of elastane to give some stretch which helps achieving a good fit. Offered in both ankle length and Over the Calf, OTC. We also have socks from the well-renowned brand Sozzi Calce who have made socks in Italy since 2912, as well as so called "no-show" socks, excellent in your loafers.

Which socks are best?

As is often the case, it comes down to the purpose for which they are to be used, and personal preferences. But what most experts agree on is that a natural material base is usually superior.

Wool has the great property of warming when it's cold and cooling when it's warm, and is therefore a highly valued material in socks. Wool fibres are thin and can therefore be susceptible to wear and tear, for wool socks to be strong and durable it's best to blend them with really strong fibres such as nylon. If some elastane is also used, the socks will be more stretchy, which improves the fit. For Skolyx thin wool socks we have developed the blend over the years to achieve an excellent combination of all these fabric fibres' properties, and according to many of our customers we have now really found the right one.

Cotton is another popular material for socks, not least during the summer. It has a feel and look that many people appreciate during the warmer time of year. The cotton fibres are stronger than wool, but even here some nylon for additional reinforcement and elastane for a better fit may be recommended. 

How should socks be washed?

It depends on the type of socks. For thin knitted socks like our wool and cotton socks, washing them at 30 degrees in the machine is enough to get them completely clean. Note, however, that wool socks in particular, thanks to the natural breathability of the material, can often withstand several days of use without becoming dirty and need to be washed.

Thicker sports socks or similar, especially those used during exercise where you sweat profusely, should be machine washed at 40 degrees.

Why do socks break?

Holes in socks are mainly caused by friction, either between sock and foot, sock and shoe, or both. To avoid this, fit is important, correct sizing so that the heel area is positioned correctly, that toe nails are kept trimmed, as well as quality and type of material of the socks. If a more delicate material such as wool is used, which otherwise has great properties for socks, it needs to be reinforced by stronger fabric fibres such as nylon to ensure that they hold up well.

How you wear and tear different types of socks can also be highly individual, depending on how you walk, what shoes you wear, the surface of your feet, and so on all having an impact. Therefore, it's recommended to try out a new type of sock a bit first so that you know it works well for you, before buying large quantities of that type.

When were socks invented?

The first knitted socks date from around 1500 BC in Jutland, now part of Denmark. For a long time, socks were a luxury used only by the wealthiest. In the Middle Ages, socks and underpants were usually made as a unit, and later became a separate garment again.

After the English priest William Lee invented the knitting loom in the 16th century, the production of knitted garments such as socks became more efficient, and the next great leap was made during the Industrial Revolution. Historically, wool socks have been by far the most common, with cotton and even synthetics only coming into wider use in the last century.