Socks thread

[The Shooman]

Where do l find a decent quality medium thick sock in both wool and in cotton that is hand sewn? Must be a decent length that stay up.

Are there any decent quality bamboo socks that are hand sewn?

Tell us about your socks, what do you wear.

I wear thin socks for certain shoos, medium socks for other shoos and thick socks for Trickers and Vass.

Links to socks are always good.

 

[rdiaz]

I always wear ribbed cotton socks, either navy, burgundy or gray.
I haven't felt the need to wear thicker, warmer wool socks in the winter. My feet don't run cold for whatever reason.
No idea about where to find nice handmade socks!

 

[MES]

I always wear ribbed cotton socks, either navy, burgundy or gray.
I haven't felt the need to wear thicker, warmer wool socks in the winter. My feet don't run cold for whatever reason.
No idea about where to find nice handmade socks!

I like light wool blends in summer. Bit less sweaty.

 

[The Shooman]

So easy to get thick socks and very thin socks, but difficult to find medium thick socks with seams that don't dig into the toes. A medium width hand linked toes would be very desirable, but I don't want them to be crazy expensive.

 

[QuandoDio]

https://www.viccel.com/ for most of my needs. Though i am seduced by the more fanciful patterns of Palatino/Bresciani etc and other purveyors and i purchase some but viccel is very very good and cheaper than other OTC manufacturers.

When i visit the nordic states, i also pick up EGTVED. Very reputable brand and able sockmakers. Also, Gallo ( though i don't go for the crazy wild patters).

I don't wear cotton socks ever ( or those with major co really. For sports, i wear bamboo or *gasp* synthetics.

In summer, linen-blends and linen.

I think i have about 90 or so pairs of socks and i buy half a dozen pair every other year or so.

 

[rdiaz]

I like light wool blends in summer. Bit less sweaty.

Light wool is nice too indeed

 

[robertito]

Winter: uniqlo
Summer: punto blanco
If I fell flush Bresciani
I also buy sometimes really nice from Marks and Spencers and Debenhams.
I don't like bamboos socks.
I also got a lot of happy socks that I bought in an outlet. Absolutely dreaful.

 

[aristoi bcn]

I think it's time to organize a group buy from Bresciani. It's not as easy as buying from Mes chaussetes rouges, Berg&Berg or Shibumi, but it's cheaper and we can choose composition and colours from their complete range.

 

[rdiaz]

How much are Brescianis? More than €20 a pair I see? Is it really worth it?

 

[aristoi bcn]

How much are Brescianis? More than €20 a pair I see? Is it really worth it?

When ordering directly from Bresciani they should be quite cheaper.

I can compare them to Punto Blanco and Emidio Tucci, brands you should know. Cottons are similar but when it comes to wool, Bresciani is better. Furthermore, Bresciani have beautiful colours and designs.

 

[rdiaz]

When ordering directly from Bresciani they should be quite cheaper.

I can compare them to Punto Blanco and Emidio Tucci, brands you should know. Cottons are similar but when it comes to wool, Bresciani is better. Furthermore, Bresciani have beautiful colours and designs.

If they are not much more expensive than Emidio Tucci maybe count me in for a few pairs. Hope there will be some Christmas frenzy money left.

 

[QuandoDio]

I think it's time to organize a group buy from Bresciani. It's not as easy as buying from Mes chaussetes rouges, Berg&Berg or Shibumi, but it's cheaper and we can choose composition and colours from their complete range.

If in wool - all wool, ideally though nothing less than 90% wool- and patterned, count me in for six pairs

 

[The Shooman]

https://www.viccel.com/ for most of my needs. Though i am seduced by the more fanciful patterns of Palatino/Bresciani etc and other purveyors and i purchase some but viccel is very very good and cheaper than other OTC manufacturers.

I bought 10 pairs of Viccel. I bought 7 pairs of the thicker wool and 3 pairs of the thin cotton pairs. That should fill my needs nicely. Been looking for 2 years for a good medium thick sock and am hoping the 7 pairs will be it.

I think i have about 90 or so pairs of socks and i buy half a dozen pair every other year or so.

Yes, l probably have over 100 pairs. Why? Because a man can never have too many socks. Sock money is always well spent. If the viccel socks go well i'll probably order a whole lot more.

I will also go to the local market and order a heap more Australian bamboo and wool sox. Why? Because one needs to strike why the iron is hot because suppliers can disappear as quickly as they come, so experience shows that stocking up is necessary. The stuff at the local market is good at the moment, and a good price.

 

[Thruth]

For casual socks I've been wearing Icebreaker Hike + Light 60% merino 38% nylon 2% lycra.

Anatomical construction (right and left sock)

A good boot sock.

Long lasting.

Just picked up 6 pair

 

[CesareRomiti]

Very good burgundy socks are always expensive
So i would be in for a group buy
Depending on the price anything from 10-30 pairs

 

[TheUntermensch]

There's no such thing as long-lasting socks. Like pants, they will eventually wear out.

That being said, you're a fancy lot, you. If you want boot socks, just go for 1000 Mile Socks. Those things will really last a thousand miles. Otherwise, M&S. Dress socks are another matter.

 

[fxh]

All my socks are OTC. My heavy work/boot socks are ALDI motorbike socks great.

 

[fxh]

There's no such thing as long-lasting socks. Like pants, they will eventually wear out.

That being said, you're a fancy lot, you. If you want boot socks, just go for 1000 Mile Socks. Those things will really last a thousand miles. Otherwise, M&S. Dress socks are another matter.

If you darn socks they last forever.

 

[TheUntermensch]

If you darn socks they last forever.

True, that. Darning is something of a lost art.

On the longevity of clothing, let's have some data: my cotton shreddies last about four to five years.

 

[rdiaz]

I darn my socks. But only if its a pair I specially like or doesn't have many years on its shoulders.

 

[doghouse]

Got a few more pairs of Marcoliani for Christmas, very pleased.

 

[The Shooman]

While the viccel aren't as fancy, nice and well stitched as the bresciani socks (viccel have nubs near the toes where-as bresciani have hardly any), but the viccel certainly does the job. For the price l am not going to complain. I refuse to pay crazy prices for socks, but l am willing to pay enough to get hand sewn socks that are over-the-calf and decent quality.

While it would be great to be wearing $150 cashmere socks, l need to face it that l can't have it all,and compromises need to be made. I am more than happy to order another 10 pair of viccel. Over time l intend to own 100 pairs of Viccel (thin and thick socks) and wear bresciani socks for more special occasions.

Soon l also go to the market and pick up 20 pair of thick bamboo and wool socks for shoos like Vass and Trickers.

I have boxes full of socks because l like to stock up while they are available. Having a large supply of comfortable sox is a good feeling.

 

[The Shooman]

btw, l also bought a darning egg so l can darn my socks. I think a man should be able to do simple repair jobs, and if Prince Charles has his suits patched then l can get my socks patched from time to time. I don't like the idea of just throwing good things out.

Kirby shows men how to darn their socks.

 

[TheUntermensch]

Kirby shows men how to darn their socks.

"Really kind of...you know...really kind of...you know...really kind of...". That Kirby bloke should get lessons in elocution.

Anyway, the trouble with socks is you get a patch that wears thin, not a hole. You can't really darn them then. In the end, it's really just a question of number of flight hours before catastrophic failure, as it were, just like underwear. That's why a man needs many more pairs of socks than shirts, and many more shirts than suits.

My shreddies, for instance, last about three years max. before the elastic goes, or the crotch is worn (I put the latter down to the tremendous explosive power in my loins).

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

I just throw them out when they start getting thin and get a new pair. Life's too short and exciting to be darning socks. It's not National Service you know!

 

[fxh]

I have always darned socks. It's always just a bit in the toe or heel that goes and when darned is inside the shoe so no one sees or. Even if you do a bad job which I don't. I've always had a darning mushroom or two.

Shooey I've had Viccel socks for years. No problems with them. I like the packaging Happy feet make happy people.

Shooey, when I was a kid I read that Jerry Lewis when he got wealthy, had a brand new pair of socks each day. He wouldn't ever wear them more than once. Heh. It's good to be the king. Luxury.

I used to like the idea in summer of changing shirts at lunchtime. Luxury.

 

[fxh]

I just saw the video. He's an amateur. For a start I use a mushroom. Not an egg. Secondly you can get them cheaper than $20 at sewing shops or $1 at an ops hop. Plus if you are doing wool socks use wool thread not cotton. And most importantly you don't just sew the whole up like it's a tear. You make a weave to patch the hole. He's a cowboy. Is he perhaps Spanish tailor?

 

[The Shooman]

I have always darned socks. It's always just a bit in the toe or heel that goes and when darned is inside the shoe so no one sees or. Even if you do a bad job which I don't. I've always had a darning mushroom or two.

I'm really impressed that you have always had darning mushrooms around, amazing and wow. Btw, l used to always darn my socks as a kid, and since 14 I have ALWAYS washed my socks by hand because my grandfather taught me to avoid using a washing machine. Most of my clothes get washed by hand.

Shooey I've had Viccel socks for years.

I am impressed mate.

I like the packaging Happy feet make happy people.

I like that you like that. I like it too!

Shooey, when I was a kid I read that Jerry Lewis when he got wealthy, had a brand new pair of socks each day. He wouldn't ever wear them more than once. Heh. It's good to be the king. Luxury.

My decadent side likes that, but I can beat that story. The Sultan of Brunie apparently used to change his shoes 3 times per day. He'd go through thousands of dollars worth of shoos per day, bespoke Artioli. After wearing them 4 hours he'd get his servants to burn them. Ordered over 1,000 pair each year.

I used to like the idea in summer of changing shirts at lunchtime. Luxury.

Yep, I like it too. Chris at double monk also insists on changing his shirts twice per day all throughout the year, he likes the feel of a new crisp shirt. For me i'd prefer to go even further and change everything after lunch, and if l had servants it WOULD happen.

I just saw the video. He's an amateur. For a start I use a mushroom. Not an egg. Secondly you can get them cheaper than $20 at sewing shops or $1 at an ops hop. Plus if you are doing wool socks use wool thread not cotton. And most importantly you don't just sew the whole up like it's a tear. You make a weave to patch the hole. He's a cowboy. Is he perhaps Spanish tailor?

Thanks, i'll try to upgrade my skills, and may even try to become advanced and get a mushroom to show l am in the big game, but for now i'll just use my egg. Even owning an egg is a big thing for me at the moment. I need time to become advanced.

 

[TheUntermensch]

Every day at lunchtime, my servants undress me, and burn my clothes in a big sacrificial pyre. Then they oil my body with carnuba wax, and buff my toes with Saphir MEDISLE DE ORE PATÉ DELUCKS. Then they bring forth my crisp, fresh, and crisply fresh clothes for the afternoon. But I always politely decline them, for I prefer to go about naked, as Mr Tulkinhorn intended.

 

[fxh]

Hers a better video - by a normal person showing how to weave the wool and use a MUSHROOM

 

[fxh]

Shooey - My sewing basket and one of my mushrooms:

I got onto Viccel years ago. I have many of their original 100% Merino socks. They are great. They did get wear holes easily but I just darned them and have had them last fro years - never had to throw away a pair. Then Viccel got to be a "sponsor" on SF and people complained the 100% merino didn't wear well - now they don't make them anymore - such a pity - luckily I have about 10 pair

 

[The Shooman]

Hers a better video - by a normal person showing how to weave the wool and use a MUSHROOM

Such a wonderful video. And yes, Kirby is a cowboy. Thanks for showing me stuff, much appreciated.

Shooey - My sewing basket and one of my mushrooms:
View attachment 27671 View attachment 27672

I got onto Viccel years ago. I have many of their original 100% Merino socks. They are great. They did get wear holes easily but I just darned them and have had them last fro years - never had to throw away a pair. Then Viccel got to be a "sponsor" on SF and people complained the 100% merino didn't wear well - now they don't make them anymore - such a pity - luckily I have about 10 pair

Great sharing, very interesting indeed. Respect for being a Viccel man for many years.

Even the merino socks l have from Viccel seem not so strong, but so be it, it will give me an excuse to start darning them.

btw, i'll have to start getting a proper sewing kit and raise my level. I'll get darning needles, wools, cotton, mushrooms and the works.

 

[TheUntermensch]

Between friends, I think darning was only ever meant for woollen socks. Cotton dress socks are far too thin for this sort of work. You've nowt to anchor the darning threads to, and they'll just tear the good bits.

 

[fxh]

You can darn cotton socks but it needs a patch sort of or just sew the edges together like a tear. You can run over a patch with a machine if you can get sock on the arm thing. You can also patch cotton socks with thin wool.

Shooey - you can put together a sewing kit from Spotlight or just go into a local Op Shop and tell the women you want to put together sewing kit and they'll help you - get a basket, needles, mushroom cotton etc. Make sure yo get a thread cutter little tool and its really handy to get a Thread Pusher/Puller /Repairer to poke thread back into ties and jumpers etc.

 

[QuandoDio]

As much as one admires the practice and sustainability of darning socks, life is simply too short for such.

Socks are essentially dispensable items. Sure, look after them properly ( as i do) and have a large supply (ditto). But when a hole is present, it is simply binned.

My time is too precious to be darning socks!
YMMV.

 

[fxh]

As much as one admires the practice and sustainability of darning socks, life is simply too short for such.
Socks are essentially dispensable items. Sure, look after them properly ( as i do) and have a large supply (ditto). But when a hole is present, it is simply binned.
My time is too precious to be darning socks!
YMMV.

Say 10 minutes. Then that bit of sock is even stronger than original.

 

[The Shooman]

In a few weeks Viccel will be getting in some merino wool socks.

 

[Kingstonian]

Very good burgundy socks are always expensive
So i would be in for a group buy
Depending on the price anything from 10-30 pairs

The college of cardinals might be a good place to check with.

 

[CesareRomiti]

The college of cardinals might be a good place to check with.

Boy sex is a good thing

 

[The Shooman]

Anyone know about these sock makers:

https://www.scott-nichol.com

https://www.falke.com/gr_en/

http://www.peperharowlondon.com


btw, l feel I understand why viccel is cheaper, and l feel I understand why fxh says their wool socks wear out quickly. I feel their weave is loser with wool socks, and l feel the handwork isn't as good as the top makers because they have nubs on the side of the toes where-as the top makers don't.