Latest news with #socks
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Daniel Craig has been spotted wearing THIS sock brand - here's the styles you need in your summer rotation
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Want to step out in the same sock company that 007 himself loves? Put a pep in your step with these summer styles from the London Sock Company - spotted on the likes of Daniel Craig and Chris Evans, to name a few celebrity fans. The summer is finally in full swing, and it's the perfect opportunity to step up your sock game and swap out your boring, threadbare styles in favour of something a little more exciting. Your socks may be a small thing, but the London Sock Company believes that the right pair of socks can have a big impact on your day. They have partnered with London-based charity Suited & Booted to help style vulnerable men and boost their self-confidence ahead of job interviews. Designed in London and crafted in Portugal, the London Sock Company blends fashion-forward styles with luxurious comfort, and its summer collection spans everything from invisible and trainer socks, to pastel and retro styles. Ready to level up your sock game? Browse our favourites below - happy shopping! London Sock Company Walk of Fame 3-Pair Box For the man who wants to stand out from the crowd, look no further than the Walk Of Fame 3-Pair Box. This playful palette of seasonal shades and retro style is the perfect way to make your mark this summer season, designed exclusively for the London Sock Company by celebrity stylist, Ilaria Urbinati. £54 Shop London Sock Company Shaken & Stirred Socks Perhaps you're looking for just one pair of socks for the perfect finishing touch to your collection. Offering a distinctive twist on traditional English houndstooth, this fun pair has been created by award-winning designer Eleni Kyriacou to elevate everything from your favourite suit to your preferred pair of jeans. 007 would approve. £18 Shop London Sock Company Simply Sartorial Collection 15-Pair Box With a colour to match every mood, this 15-pair Simply Sartorial box offers a palette of bold, refined colours to suit every occasion. Each mid-calf design has been crafted from sumptuously soft Scottish Lisle Cotton, and includes neutral tones to bold blues and yellows, as well as soft baby blues and pinks. £195 Shop London Sock Company Pastel Patterns 6-Pair Box If you've got a thing for pastels, this is the box for you. This set includes six pastel, patterned and playful designs boasting checks and polka dots, each hand-finished and perfect for stepping out during the warmer months. It's also the perfect gift for a stylish family member, and one they'll certainly get their use out of. £98 Shop London Sock Company Classic Trainer Collection 12-Pair Box Looking to completely revamp your sock collection? No problem. This 12-pair box will allow you to get rid of your current rotation in favour of something more stylish, and each pair is crafted in a neutral hue for ultimate wearability. Ideal for the warmer months, these trainer-style socks combine high quality with luxurious comfort, tucking neatly into your favourite pair of trainers while offering a stylish pop of colour. £120 Shop
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
A man cannot live by a six-pack of tube socks alone
Be honest, when was the last time you gave proper consideration to which socks you should be wearing when the summer months stroll in? If that question has left you scratching your head, thinking that 'socks are socks, whatever the weather', then you really need to keep reading. You see, your underwear drawer is like the salad drawer in your fridge at home. At different points of the year, you need to rotate the produce to satisfy your culinary palate. The same goes for choosing socks when warmer weather arrives, as not all types deliver the same tasty outcome. And like the vegetables in your fridge, every now and again you need to give it a good clear-out and dispose of the mouldy ones. (Yes, including that six-pack of tube socks you've been eking out for the past how many years?) So, where do you start? Sit back, put your feet up (and if one of your big toes is protruding from a sock, make it the first thing to go) and we'll soon have you covered. Master shorts and socks Let's jump straight in with a toughie: the 'socks and shorts' combo. For many, this partnership has potential ridicule written all over it, but not if you play to your strengths. The style mavens among you may have already embraced the long-sock-and-short-shorts trend, or the chunky-sock-and-sandal ensemble. If this is you, keep blazing your own trail. But if you just want to look 'quietly stylish', here's some advice to get you started. 'Always start from the ground up, so first consider what style of shoe you want to wear with your chosen shorts; if it's a trainer, opt for a sports sock or something of medium weight that hits your mid-calf. If it's a loafer, think about a finer option in fabric and with a rib,' says Sophie Dunn, menswear stylist and brand consultant. 'Then colour comes into play. As they will be on show, a bit of contrast is always good but find a colour that complements the palette of your outfit. I also think it's more stylish to not pull your socks all the way up when exposed – ruffle them a bit to achieve a breezier look.' For those who like to show off their ankles and calves, or want to avoid unsightly tan lines, the 'no-show' sock is a great option. But even though there's less fabric to deal with, there's a strict rule you must be aware of. 'The trick with 'no-show' socks is that they should be invisible to the world,' says Dunn. 'Achieve this by ensuring they are tucked in and out of sight.' Socks to suit you There's something inherently British about always wearing socks with suits, whatever the weather, and for good reason. We simply don't share our Mediterranean neighbours' climate, and as it rarely pokes its head over the mid-20s in the UK, there is very little to celebrate about unsightly blisters or knobbly ankles. Like the fabric of your suit, you should swap wool for cotton in the summer. 'Natural fibres win every time,' says Maud O'Keeffe, design director of Harrys London. 'Light fabric suiting calls for lightweight socks.' She adds: 'Cotton lisle, also known as fil d'Ecosse, is a mercerised Mako cotton yarn from Egypt. These summer-weight socks are both anti-allergenic and breathable, making them a delicate sock for special occasions.' But some sartorial rules remain the same. You should always opt for mid-calf length, or longer, so that when you sit down, your hairy legs stay in check. Keep your cool when exercising If you're the type of man who throws on an old threadbare band T-shirt when going to exercise, pay attention. Sportswear has never been so accessible, from design to price point, and is designed to help you perform better. The socks you choose to keep fit in are no different. Ensure they are moisture-wicking and breathable, cushioned for comfort and preferably with a heel grip so you don't need to interrupt your 5K when they start to slip. Colour blocking is an effective way to style your gym wear. 'I always try to match the sock colour to the shoe – black on black, white on white,' says Scott Oliver, founder of brand consultancy firm Good Morning Agency. 'It's a small styling decision, but it makes everything look more deliberate and thought-through, whether you're on a run or just out and about. It avoids unnecessary contrast and lets the silhouette of the shoe speak for itself.' Oliver continues: 'A running brand I'm really into right now is Unna – they're doing great things and they've quietly been building one of the best sock offerings on the market. What I love is how they've balanced performance and design. You've got options that are built for speed, and others that are all about comfort, depending on the run or the day.' And don't fall at the final hurdle by mixing your sports brands when it comes to socks and trainers, warns Oliver. 'For me, it's almost a sin to mix sportswear brands when it comes to footwear and socks. If you're wearing Nike shoes, you should be wearing Nike socks. The only exception I make is for dedicated sock brands that don't make footwear themselves. In that case, they get a pass – but otherwise, I really believe in brand consistency when you're head-to-toe in performance gear. It's a detail, but one that matters.' Some of you may consider this trivial, but your stylish gym buddies will appreciate the effort, and nobody should become a sweaty billboard. Socks to impress your friends Hands up anyone who has popped over to see a friend, only to realise on arrival that it's a 'no-shoe house' and you're wearing odd socks or worse, your teenage son's novelty superhero ones that you bought him for Christmas. You may think you styled it out, playing the 'I'm-a-little-wacky' card, but those friends are judging you, so let's set things right. First, make sure that your sock drawer maintenance is more than just an annual job. Socks will bobble, hole and discolour after time, so either brush up on your darning skills or send them off to a recycling centre. 'Invest in a de-piller or de-bobbler,' says O'Keeffe. 'There's nothing worse than having an expensive pair of socks that pill, then taking off your shoes and displaying bobbles.' This will stop that sudden panic when you're running out of the door and realise the only clean ones available are littered with holes. If you are a minimalist, someone who likes to keep things simple and tonal, invest in several pairs of socks that complement the main colours in your wardrobe. That way you know you'll always be covered, and it keeps decision-making to a minimum. Or are you someone who likes to push the boundaries and embrace colour and pattern? If so, you're in for a treat. The sock industry is awash with bold and interesting options that will cater to your every need – the sky, as they say, really is the limit. But as an adult, there are a few mistakes that are best avoided. Novelty socks, like the aforementioned superhero ones, need to go. While some synthetic fibres can work wonders nowadays, do your homework and ensure you're buying the right ones as choose badly and your feet could suffer. If in doubt look for blends that have a higher natural fibre content. Finally, make sure you own socks that fit properly as they are designed to shape around your foot for comfort, from the toe to the heel. It's not rocket science, gents, so it really is time to pull your socks up… but not too high.
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
The little-known British brand dressing the feet of Hollywood's leading men - from Daniel Craig to Ryan Reynolds
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more This summer it is all about comfortable, bold style with unique color combinations and reliable fabric compositions. That's why we think London Sock Company is the only place for men to shop for socks this season. London Sock Co. is a leading destination for luxury mens socks and they are welcoming the sunny season with bright new designs. From basics to tasteful prints, the collection features socks for every style and personality. Whether you are shopping for yourself or the special men in your life, London Sock Co. is the place to be right now and hurry because the brand new pairs are selling out fast. They're so popular they've hit the red carpet, spotted on top celebs, including stars such as Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ryan Reynolds, The Rock, James Marsden, and Rami Malek (to name just a few). Simply put, these are the sock world's end-all, be-all, and they've more than earned it. You can even sign up for a subscription plan that delivers London Sock Co.'s very best to your doorstep on a regular basis. Ultimate Pastel Dash of Class, 15-Pair Box For anyone who is in major need of a full sock drawer reset — this massive, full-collection sock set is gonna be for you. Enjoy the full range of basic and bright colors that represent every season tastefully. From dark blues to vibrant pinks, there is a sock for every occasion in this set. Plus, with the London Sock Co. quality you can trust in your socks longevity! $336 Shop Walk of Fame, 3-Pair Box Still looking for the perfect summer sock drawer additions? Look no further! This cozy 3-pack of socks is made with ultra-soft fabric and a dainty designs. Perfect for work and special occasions, this set has just the right amount of personality. Rock any of these pairs this season for an effortless sophisticated look. $88 Shop Retro Pastels II, 3-Pair Box Sale price If you are looking for the best 'bang for your buck' — this set is 100 percent the way to go. This 3-pack comes with a perfect array of all the most fun colors in the collection and has plenty of practicality too. The pairs are retro crew cuts and work well with dress shoes and sneakers alike. Whether you are shopping for your husband, brother, or dad — you seriously can not go wrong with socks. $72 Shop
The Guardian
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Pretty, profane or pulled up? How socks became cool
On a bright summer's day recently I found myself facing a quandary. Choosing a top and trousers to wear wasn't a problem, but my whole outfit was in danger of being derailed by a mis-step: the wrong socks. Should it be a pair that matched the rest of my outfit, or with a pattern that stood out? Did a frill look fussy, or bring just the right amount of detail? Was the fact they didn't have a four-letter word on them going to expose me as woefully out of touch? The only thing I was certain of is that they should be on show. Yes, the young and the fashionable have known this for a while, but for the rest of us it's taken time to notice the sock's shift to centre-stage. Maybe it took seeing Natalie Portman wearing black socks with high heels, or Lauren Laverne posting pictures of her 'Fucking Legend' socks on Instagram. Almost 20 years since Sock Shop closed in the UK, hosiery has suddenly been returning to the high street – and online specialists have been popping up too. The independent retailer Socktopus has seven shops around the UK but has plans to add more – it sold 640,000 pairs last year and expects to sell 1m this year. Marks & Spencer says sales of women's socks are growing each year, and the accessory is increasingly on offer as a souvenir: at Glastonbury and Wimbledon they make up part of the merchandise collection. My Guardian colleague Jess Cartner-Morley says socks are fashion's 'hottest topic of the decade', while Lynne Hugill, a senior lecturer for the BA in fashion at Teesside University, says 'people of both genders are embracing socks with all kinds of footwear – whether it's flat shoes, a sandal or now a heel'. At M&S, where hosiery is a stock in trade (19m pairs of women's socks are sold there every year), the menswear director Mitch Hughes says there is a 'strong appetite for statement socks' among male shoppers. '[Socks have] had a 2025 glow-up, left behind their functional underdog status and are now attention-seeking and stylish – a key style contender within a man's wardrobe and definitely not an afterthought.' Happy Socks, a sock maker that launched in Stockholm in 2008, has taken part in four international fashion weeks in the past year. 'We did Berlin as our own show, but for Copenhagen, Paris and New York we partnered with designers who came to us and said: 'Hey, we need socks on our runway. Can we work together?',' says the chief marketing and design officer Fiona Murchison. 'That shows the move into the fashion world – if they're on the runway, then, of course, it trickles down.' While shrinkflation has been a big issue in consumer goods, the opposite has hit socks. No-show trainer socks are out, and fabric is slowly rising up the shin. 'We've extended that length higher than the average retailer,' says Murchison. 'Which only the most in-tune sock buyer would maybe notice, but it's an important shift for us because while ankle socks are staple, we see this growing enthusiasm for higher lengths.' The look is highlighted with a word or detail near the cuff. This means 'people are more inclined to pull it up that little teeny bit more,' she says. 'It's a bit more important as a piece … a bit like wearing a giant necklace or something.' When we speak on Zoom, she takes off a sock to show me: it's from a collaboration with Awake NY and in a sports style with a little 'A' near the top. This rising trend isn't just true on bare legs. Lois Woodcock, the head of design at the athleisure company Gymshark, says: 'One trend that stands out is the growing love for crew socks, which are halfway between ankle socks and knee-high socks, particularly with our gen Z community.' Woodcock says these buyers are 'styling their socks very intentionally, often layering crisp white crew socks over leggings'. But while gymgoers may go for plain white, elsewhere there is a move towards pattern and detail. At M&S, female shoppers are looking for sheer, ribbed, lace and embellished socks, and there's 'a huge demand for playful details like ruffles and bows'. Happy Socks makes a huge choice of patterned socks, with this year's designs including tomatoes, hibiscus flowers and racing cars, although Murchison says fewer colours are being used across the range as it moves to be 'more fashion relevant'. Socktopus has thousands of designs, from the whimsical to the artistic, via the F-word. Popular choices include a range of capybaras in cowboy hats – originally suggested by a customer. The firm also makes Henry VIII and his wives socks, which Josie Starsmore, the creative director, is wearing when we speak. Starsmore says people love to come into the shops and try to 'marry the exact sock with the exact person'. Her husband and co-founder Nick (wearing frog socks), says, 'If people think the pattern on a sock looks anything like their dog, they come in and they say, 'You've got Billy socks!' because we've got a sock with a border terrier and luckily it looks like Billy.' In Socktopus branches, the sweary socks are concealed with cardboard. You can have a matching pair or, from an odd-socks pile, make up your own: you could have 'Cock' emblazoned in silver on black on your left leg and 'Twat' in gold on white on your right, or other family-unfriendly combinations. Nick says profane socks 'are quite interesting because the lady who is wearing a floral dress and has two spaniels and comes to our stand at Badminton Horse Trials, and the kind of younger customer at Comic Con, both love socks that say 'fuck off' on them.' Josie says her mum helped at a show and was originally disapproving of the sweary socks but, 'after the second day of asking, 'What is it about these socks that you like so much?', people were really opening up to her, saying it's almost like by wearing these socks to work or in a difficult situation or with my boss who I can't stand I'm having a minor rebellion.' She says: 'That really changed my mum's point of view because then she was like, my God, I actually think there's a real place for this, it's like a tiny little empowerment.' Shorter trouser lengths mean that socks are generally more on display than they were, and are a factor in their rising popularity. But the main reason we all have more time for socks, say those in the know, is the pandemic. 'What really moved it on is Covid,' says Hugill. 'We were looking for comfort, and it changed the way people dress for work. People got used to being at home and wearing their Birkenstocks or their sliders with socks.' The pandemic led to a decline in suit sales, and to the more general acceptance of trainers as office-wear, and so the traditional black or navy blue sock for men, and maybe tights for women, have been reassessed. The financial climate may also have played a role. 'I think there's an element of the lipstick effect,' says Murchison, referring to the theory that in economic downturns consumers look to low-cost indulgences. 'It's a very affordable element to change your outfit. We would consider ourselves, I suppose, a little bit more on the premium end, pricing wise, but nevertheless, you can buy a single sock for 12 euros. So it doesn't break the bank to change up a look.' Josie at Socktopus says rising costs elsewhere may be driving purchases among gift buyers. 'I think the £12 bottle of wine means we've benefited from an £8 pair of gift socks.' She suggests the kidulthood trend, with grownups embracing cute things, and social media have both helped drive sales of patterned and fluffy socks. The thing about socks is they're very inclusive, she says. It doesn't matter what size you are, or what age. That said, at a certain age, it's difficult to know how far to take it – both towards the knee and in terms of pattern. Cartner-Morley says that, generally, she thinks black-and-white socks look better than patterned with shorts or skirts or over leggings, but adds: 'I love a colourful sock if you just get a flash of it, for instance with loafers and trousers.' Of sweary socks, she says, 'I'm not a big fan of anything novelty-adjacent, but on the other hand, any sock that cheers you up or makes you smile is a good sock.' If you want to go for something plain but a bit different from the socks you wore at school, Murchison says solid colours have sold well. Red was in, but now things have moved on and the hot colour is a 'really poppy vibrant blue'. Or, to spruce up an outfit of a dress and trainers she suggests an 'extra fine … a kind of more dainty sock'. She says no one's too old for knee-length socks: 'If you wear a longer length skirt, then you wear it like a tight, basically. It's like wearing a pair of tights, but you can wear it in the summer.' Some will cleave to the no-show trainer sock which, after all, was for many years the agreed-on way to wear hosiery in the summer months and is a sock-drawer staple. Cartner-Morley says that in a recent WhatsApp group chat between friends, someone asked if it was OK to wear trainer socks with a dress and trainers to a party or if she had to wear socks as decreed by fashion. 'After a heated debate we decided that, so long as there wasn't likely to be anyone under 35 at the party, she was safe to wear trainer socks,' she says. Otherwise, I'm afraid there are no excuses. We all need to pull our socks up.
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Can't sleep in the heat? Scientists reveal simple sock hack that's guaranteed to help you doze off
With the UK in the grips of 2025's first heatwave, many of us will be struggling to doze off amid the tropical heat. If you can't sleep in the heat, scientists may have a counterintuitive solution. Although it might seem bizarre, putting on a pair of socks before you head to bed could be the key to drifting off peacefully. Studies have shown that this simple hack can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and get a better night of rest. Wearing socks has even been proven to be effective at bedroom temperatures up to 23°C - hotter than nighttime temperatures in many places across the country this weekend. This strange trick works because our bodies' sleep and temperature regulation systems are deeply linked. Professor Eus van Someren, head of the Department of Sleep and Cognition at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, told MailOnline: 'The brain not only regulates body temperature, but also reads out skin temperature. 'It may interpret warm feet as the right moment to fall asleep.' Why should you wear socks to bed? Our core body temperature has a day-night rhythm, starting to drop in the evening to reach its lowest point around four in the morning. That means the best time to sleep is when the core body temperature is on its way down. Normally, your body would cool itself close to bedtime by sending blood to the skin in a process called distal vasodilation, which makes the skin hot. Professor van Someren says this is like 'opening the radiator in the heating system in your home.' When you put on socks, this increases the temperature of your skin and creates signals that your brain mistakes for the warming caused by vasodilation. Your brain will then believe that it is time to fall asleep, and you will find it easier to drift off. But wearing socks also helps you get to sleep in a more counterintuitive way. When our skin becomes hot, the brain's temperature control system sends a signal to the body telling it to start venting heat by sending hot blood into veins near the surface. This causes an increase in vasodilation, sending blood rushing to the skin and dropping the core body temperature down to safe levels. Dr Michael Gradisar, head of sleep science and clinical psychologist and Sleep Cycle, says that wearing socks can trick the body into triggering vasodilation. This, in turn, causes the core body temperature to drop and helps you drift off to sleep. Dr Gradisar says: 'For people who need extra help warming their feet to assist their natural thermoregulation, socks can be helpful.' That might be especially useful if you suffer from Raynaud's phenomenon, poor circulation, or other conditions that interfere with blood flow to the extremities. A study published in 2018 by researchers from Seoul National University found that wearing bed socks significantly improved sleep even when the room was a toasty 23°C. Those who wore socks to bed fell asleep 7.5 minutes faster on average and woke up more than seven times less frequently during the night. How can you get the most out of this trick? To make this trick work for you, it's important that you maximise the amount your core body temperature falls before bed. Studies of skin heating techniques show that the best results were achieved when the feet were warmed about one hour before bedtime. That means you should put on socks before you get into bed to trigger the core cooling process early. Wearing the right material can also make a big difference, as you don't want anything that will trap too much heat or moisture. Dr Gradisar says that 'natural fibres like wool help' since these offer the best balance of breathability and warmth. Likewise, a study of sleepers conducted at 30°C and relative humidity of 50 per cent found that those wearing Merino wool sleepwear got a better night's rest than those wearing cotton. Additionally, if you can find a way of cooling down your body while your feet stay hot, that will ensure the best temperature gradient for sleep. Dr Gradisar recommends using a fan or other means to try and keep the bedroom as cool as possible. However, with temperatures over 30°C forecast this weekend, it is also important to avoid making your feet too hot during the night. Professor Bill Wisden, an expert on the neuroscience of sleep from Imperial College London, told MailOnline: 'Heat is like any intrusive stimulus such as pain, or noise or vibration. It wakes you up. 'Even if the socks help you go to sleep, having hot feet in summer will wake you up!' So, if you do find yourself getting too hot as you doze, simply kick the socks off before falling asleep. The increased vasodilation will linger for a while afterwards, and exposing your feet to the air could produce an even greater drop in core temperature, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night. What if you find socks uncomfortable? Many people may find the idea of wearing socks to bed an extremely unpleasant thought. Luckily, if you are one of those people who like to let their feet breathe, there is another way to get the same effects. Anything you can do to raise the temperature of your skin before getting ready for bed will trigger the same vasodilation effects as putting on a pair of socks. Professor Wisden says: 'I recommend just before bedtime, take a hot shower or warm bath, even on a warm evening. 'At the end of the day, this raises the probability that you will drift off to sleep.' You don't even need to have a full bath or shower if that seems like too much effort. Studies have shown that simply bathing the feet up to the ankle in 40°C water for about 20 minutes, one to two hours before bed, helps people fall asleep about 10 minutes faster on average. So, although it might sound odd, if you want to beat the heat this weekend, the best thing to do is to get as hot as possible before bed.
