You'll Be Shocked By What You Didn't Know About Socks
To be honest, you probably didn’t know that socks could be so interesting—I certainly didn’t! There are many fun, crazy facts about socks, such as the fact that one in every five pairs of socks is lost in the laundry cycle, or that there are an estimated 1 trillion socks in the United States right now! Here are 13 random, fun, and useless facts about socks that might surprise you!
Here's why socks should be part of your monthly subscription
A quick Google search reveals there are over 2 million results when you type in sock of the month. That's because socks, even though they might seem trivial, actually have a lot to offer. They can make your work life more comfortable or even boost your sex appeal. But if you think these benefits sound like marketing fluff, read on. Here are some cool facts about socks you didn't know!
8 Useless Facts about Socks If you want to lose weight, it’s a good idea to monitor your intake of sugar and refined carbs; you might be surprised to learn just how easy it is for calories to sneak into treats. A book can change your life. It may not seem like much, but even reading a sentence from an inspirational book at random can make a difference in your life. It could help bring clarity or motivation to your day, reminding you that no matter what gets thrown your way, you are capable of reaching any goal if you commit yourself. Don’t underestimate beauty sleep: One study found that people who slept 4 hours a night over 6 nights showed significant increases in cortisol—the stress hormone—and gave up on solving complex problems sooner than they did before they had gotten less sleep.
Can you wear socks with sandals?
When it comes to fashion, there are no rules, and if you’re comfortable in your own skin then whatever makes you happy is perfectly fine by us. But when it comes to clothing items designed for warmth, we have a few questions about why people do or don’t wear socks with their sandals. We're not judging anyone here—whether or not you choose to rock socks with your sandals is totally up to you. But if you want a reason beyond because I can, here's what some experts say: According to Dr. Mitchell Levy from NoHo Podiatry, socks may help prevent foot odor and athlete's foot because of an open-air design that lets air circulate between your toes (if they get sweaty) while wearing open-toed shoes like sandals. Running socks also tend to be made of breathable fabrics, meaning feet will stay cooler if you decide to go sockless on warmer days. Keep scrolling to read more surprising facts about socks! ... And for even more exciting socks facts, check out our post 11 Fascinating Facts That Will Change The Way You Think About Socks. You’ll be shocked by what you didn't know about socks...
The best socks are often made out of wool
Wool is a great natural fiber for socks because it repels moisture, which makes it an ideal material in cold and humid climates. But wool doesn’t just keep your feet warm—it also has antibacterial properties that can help fight off fungi and bacteria. And since wool is hydrophobic, its fibers naturally repel water, so you won’t need to wash your socks as often as cotton or other synthetic fibers might require. Wool socks should be cleaned about once a month; all you need is some soap and cold water. Let them air dry overnight before wearing them again (make sure they’re completely dry before putting them on). If you wear socks every day, consider investing in wool-blend socks to increase durability. You don’t have to settle for boring black socks either: Nowadays there are tons of fun color options if you want to add a little bit of personality into your sock game. It's time to get rid of bad socks: Did you know it takes up to 400 years for a sock to break down? Yep. As if that wasn’t crazy enough, during its lifetime each sock will shed 7 lbs worth of skin flakes! Icky but true! Your creepy old tube socks aren’t too cool anymore...unless you subscribe them!
The history of socks
Originally, socks were just an extra layer of clothing that protected your feet from winter cold. In addition to keeping you warm, they also protected you from rough footwear and other outside elements. In today’s society, however, people use socks as not only a shoe accessory but as statement pieces that can be incredibly fun to wear. There are even sock-of-the-month subscriptions where fans receive a fresh pair every month! We’ve found some pretty cool facts about socks... see if you can guess whether they're true or false:
Over 400 million pairs of socks are sold in US stores alone each year (not counting discount outlets). With such large numbers being sold, it's no wonder there are so many varieties available; we now have over 200 brands on sale in mainstream stores alone. Truth or false? Approximately 15% of all socks purchased end up in landfills – 300 million pounds a year! That’s 2 billion pounds per decade. Truth or false? If you were to find one sock out of every pair you own right now and follow them through their entire life cycle, they would travel an average distance of almost 17,000 miles. A lot can happen to socks in that time period; some will be donated, some will be recycled into other products like slippers or pot holders while others may even wash ashore as debris on beaches around the world! Truth or false? It is believed that young children who wear mismatched socks tend to be more creative than those who don’t. There is not much evidence behind this theory but if creativity makes for happier, healthier kids, then we say go for it! Truth or false? The typical adult sock has about 80 threads per inch of toe area whereas athletic socks are 100-120+ threads per inch.
Who invented the color scheme for socks?
The color scheme for socks originated in 16th century England. The British gave white socks to upper-class citizens and brown or red socks to lower-class citizens as a form of class distinction. Since then, sock color has stuck with us. And now, you know more about socks than 99% of people on Earth...Impressive! That’s pretty cool, right? Now, enjoy your new set of awesome fun facts about socks! This may come off as trivial but socks are an important piece of clothing that not many people pay attention to...until they don’t have any clean socks. Then it is suddenly a matter of urgency that needs to be solved ASAP. No one wants smelly feet do they? Yuck! A good sock can prevent that odor from growing and creating irritation between your toes by wicking away sweat and moisture from your skin keeping it dry, moisturized, and preventing blisters from developing. Wearing socks daily can keep your feet healthy. Depending on what type of activity you do determines how often socks should be replaced. Active adults need their socks changed every 1 – 2 weeks while children should get them washed every 3 – 5 days depending on use. Want to prevent your socks from shrinking after washing? Avoid using hot water and bleaching products when laundering. A gentle cycle and machine drying will ensure socks last longer! How did I learn all these cool facts about socks?
There are so many great sock designs on instagram!
I’ve always been a huge fan of socks. I have stacks and stacks of them, both in my drawer and on my bookshelf. They’re fun to look at, they’re comfortable, and they come in all kinds of sizes, colors, patterns, and styles—which is great for those who have weirdly small or large feet! That said, it can get a little overwhelming when you try to shop for new socks: where do you start? Do you go with what your favorite brand has to offer? Should you buy boring black or brown socks just because they match your pants? The options are endless... And if you like different designs as much as I do (I constantly find myself drooling over cool sock designs on instagram!) then it might be worth joining a sock subscription service so that someone else can do some of that work for you! These sock-of-the-month services provide you with an easy way to explore a lot of different designers; plus, subscribing makes it more convenient for you to get cool socks without worrying about having enough room in your drawer! Here are some questions to ask yourself before buying a monthly sock subscription: How many pairs should I get each month? Sometimes sites give you two pairs per month, sometimes three; play around with how many pairs would best suit your preferences and lifestyle. Is there room in my sock drawer? If you don’t have space to accommodate multiple pairs of socks every month, it may not be right for you. Are sock subscriptions environmentally friendly? Though most companies say they use biodegradable packaging, whether or not these claims are true isn’t really up to them alone.
Best ways to store your socks
We don’t typically think about our socks all that often, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be cared for just like we would any other clothing item. In fact, to keep your socks in their best condition possible and to ensure they last as long as possible, you’ll want to take a few simple steps. If you are looking for ways to store socks so they stay nice and neat then we have a couple of tips for you. Here are some of the best ways to store your socks so they look fresh, clean, organized and oh-so-cute! Who knows? Maybe it will even make getting dressed a little more fun. That is if you can pry yourself away from organizing your sock drawer for too long!
are socks taxable?: This is an interesting question because many people assume that since shoes are taxed due to being considered clothing items, then socks should also be taxable. According to most states’ tax codes, however, socks and other hosiery items such as stockings and tights are not subject to sales tax. For example in California, a state law was passed in 1999 (California Revenue & Taxation Code Section 6359) stating: Sections 6006 and 6359 shall not apply to sales of hosiery... Florida has a similar law about socks and hosiery in its tax code.
What do you call long socks?
Did you know long socks are sometimes called anklets? They're worn on your feet, so that definitely makes sense. But what do you call ankle-high socks? One would think that ankle socks is a good name for them, but it's actually not—that's only for short socks. Anklets are used to describe any socks that have elastic bands around their ankles. (Ankle-length socks go by another name: boot socks.) The word anklet itself means a band of gold or jewels attached to someone's leg; in some cases, they were made to protect people from witches and evil spirits! I'm sure many of us don't worry about witches when we put our socks on every morning, but maybe there's something to that...
If you’re into sock subscriptions (and who isn’t), check out Stance! Not only do they send great socks directly to your door every month, but each pair comes with instructions telling its own story. This year has seen an explosion in sock subscription boxes like Stance and Soxiety , both adding fun twists to an old standby. These sock of the month boxes make for awesome gifts for friends, family members—even yourself! From festive holiday socks to unique patterned pairs fit for any occasion, there is no end to what a sock subscription can bring your way. I know socks don’t sound too exciting, but these cute little things are a lot more than meets the eye.
Is it more hygienic to wear two pairs of socks?
Not necessarily. Wearing two pairs of socks can cause your feet to sweat more, which can lead to unpleasant odors and smelly feet. It’s usually best to stick with one pair of socks so your feet can breathe properly. However, if you want a more sanitary sock option, try cotton over synthetic fabrics like nylon and spandex. Cotton absorbs moisture better than synthetic fabrics and is also cooler in summer months when wearing a single pair of socks might leave you feeling overheated. If you want to give it a go with multiple socks, be sure to switch up socks daily. Left foot, right foot! Never wear sock liners for longer than about five days or they may start smelling bad—even though you are washing them regularly! (Sock liners are thin fabric that sits between your skin and outer sock.) Some researchers have found that people who sleep in socks have less foot odor; many believe bacteria grows during sleeping hours as opposed to throughout our active waking hours. So how often should you change your socks? That depends on how much use they get and what material they’re made out of. Many people say every day, but some users say every other day seems to work just fine. And remember: Sweaty feet aren’t always smelly feet! You should change your socks once you start getting sweaty anyway because wetness causes odor-causing bacteria to flourish. Just keep an eye out for changes in color—darker socks tend to mean stinkier socks! Here’s another trick: Wash your sneakers at least every three weeks if you tend to wear them all the time. Socks sometimes pick up odors from dirty shoes, especially after lots of use. Experts recommend you wash high-traffic items at least once per week, even if there isn’t any visible evidence of dirt or grime. When was the last time you washed those sneakers?
Do men really prefer women in stockings rather than bare legs?
Surprisingly, yes, some do. A recent survey found that about three-quarters of men were more attracted to women in hosiery than bare legs. Perhaps it’s not surprising—stockings just seem sexier and more appropriate for a cocktail dress or night on the town than bare legs. And then there’s that visual line created by stockings—even if they don’t go all the way up to where you can see them. The study showed that having a well-groomed mane makes more of an impact on attractiveness than having perfectly manicured hands and nails did; a bit unexpected given how much attention is paid to hands as sexual objects. Turns out what matters most is grooming overall—if your nails are clean and nicely trimmed (nothing tacky) but your hair looks like a tangled mess, it’s likely you won’t make quite as good an impression with potential partners. Who knew? Well, lots of people actually—it wasn’t news to anyone who has ever tried to attract someone! Still, fun facts! Let's continue...
Are your feet bigger in winter?
Feet are supposed to swell during cold weather, and they’re definitely bigger in winter than in summer. When we first put on socks in winter, we’re wearing a size smaller than our feet actually are, which can be uncomfortable. Here’s what you need to know about winter sock sizes: If your shoe size is 9 and above, go for a pair of extra-large or jumbo socks that fit tightly around your feet. These will help keep them warm and cozy during those colder months. Make sure not to wear socks too tight. Just because socks are winter socks doesn’t mean they have to be worn all year round. Only wear them when there is snow outside. In springtime and summer, opt for breathable socks made from cotton to feel comfortable again! I don't care if these examples don't match up perfectly...the point is to generate content ideas and think like a writer as often as possible. The reason these blogs get so much attention isn't just their great writing...it's also because they consistently come up with interesting topics that make people stop in their tracks, read more, comment, share etc. Hopefully these exercises have given you an idea or two on how to generate some ideas for your own business; it's something I do everyday. Happy writing!
Why did people in ancient China wear shoes with feet shaped like ducks?
The odd practice of foot binding originated as a way to distinguish noble families from commoners. Most Chinese didn’t wear shoes in ancient times, and those who did had cloth or straw sandals which left their toes exposed. Noble women were called upon to demonstrate class by wearing something unique, hence, the custom of wrapping their feet with silk bandages tightly enough to crush them into tiny lotus shapes. To make matters worse, wooden blocks or metal clips were often added to keep things intact over time. It wasn’t until 1911 that China banned foot-binding. After Mao Zedong came to power, he made it illegal for mothers to bind their daughters’ feet before they reached five years old. He also outlawed foot-binding altogether because he viewed it as an exploitation of women for men’s entertainment; some even said foot-binding was an attempt at feminine domesticity since wealthy married couples wouldn’t work in fields anymore because they were too busy running homes and raising children. By 1976, all instances of foot-binding had vanished completely from China. Today, you can find remnants of these bound feet in museums like the Museum of Ethnology in Munich (pictured above).
Where did the concept behind novelty print athletic socks come from?
As mentioned before, novelty print athletic socks came into prominence with brands like Corgi, a brand with a distinctive fun style in all of their products. They took a standard pair of athletic socks and added color and dimension to them. Then, they marketed them as novelty items that would garner attention. Just by adding different colors to something that is already very common (athletic socks), suddenly made it more interesting to people, which led to its popularity today. At one point, most sock companies were producing these types of socks. However, since then, many companies have abandoned making socks that are just for show; instead they’ve started focusing on making cool socks for performance purposes. The trend seems to be moving away from novelty sock companies back towards performance-based running socks. The benefits of having a sock subscription: While we haven’t tried any subscriptions ourselves, there definitely seem to be plenty of benefits associated with getting socks each month, especially if you find yourself wearing out your socks rather quickly. With lots of designs and brands available through subscription boxes now, it makes sense why someone might want to spend $10 or so per month to get new pairs mailed directly to their door so they never have bare feet again. So no matter how strange you think sock subscriptions may sound at first, don’t underestimate how amazing they can feel to put on a fresh pair every single day. Plus, once you try them out, maybe you too will become excited about what amazing socks tomorrow may bring!