Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Sock Shopping

Erin Orbach July 28, 2020
The Ultimate Guide to Sock Shopping

Not sure where to start when it comes to shopping for socks? Our guide has got your feet covered while keeping your carbon footprint low. 

Choosing the right style of socks is no easy task. With so many designs, fabrics and colours, it can be hard to know where to start. We make it easy for you with our ultimate socks guide.

From everyday business socks to chunky bed socks, we round up all the styles you need in your drawer to treat your feet to complete comfort. And, we break down why bamboo is the best fabric for women’s and men’s socks that are both soft and sustainable.

Choosing the right style of socks

Choosing the right style of socks

It would be a mistake to think that socks are simply an afterthought to your wardrobe. The pair you wear to work will be different from the pair you wear to the gym, for instance. Here’s a breakdown of the different designs of high-quality socks you need in your drawer.

Everyday socks

Everyone needs a selection of socks that they can wear any day of the week. Whether it’s to a business meeting or a catch up with friends, classic lightweight socks in basic colours are essential. Our Women’s Everyday Socks and Men’s Business Socks make the perfect addition to your Monday to Friday repertoire.

Active sports socks

Active Sports Socks

Hitting the gym before or after work? You’ll want to ensure you pack a breathable and absorbent pair of athletic socks. Our Active Sports Socks for women and men are ideal for working up a sweat. Or, if you’d rather go incognito, look no further than our Invisible Active Sports Socks for women and men.

Low-cut socks

The design to choose if you prefer a fraction of sock peeking out of your sneakers, low-cut socks are also great to wear hidden beneath ankle boots. Our Low Cut Socks for women and men feature a gel grip at the heel to help keep the sock in place inside your footwear and sit right on your ankle so there’s just a touch of sock on show. 

Hidden socks

Hidden Socks

Even more discreet than low-cut socks, the no-show design of hidden socks guarantees your socks stay out of sight in your sneakers. Sitting right on the kick of your foot and cut low at the ankle, our Hidden Socks for women and men belong in your sock drawer. If you’re after even more invisibility, our Women’s Liner Socks hide inside ballet flats and lowers, keeping you comfy in secret.

Thick socks

Thick socks

When the temperatures drop, you’ll want a pair of socks that are a little less lightweight. Ideal for wearing in work or hiking boots, a thick pair of socks will keep your feet warm and protected. Our Women’s Crew Boot Socks and Men’s Work / Boot Socks are chunky enough to provide maximum comfort beneath heavyweight footwear. They can also be worn around the house and even to bed.

Bed socks

Last but not least, you’ll want a chunky pair of bed socks in your drawer. Perfect for slipping on and kicking back at home, bed socks are their best when super-soft, comfy and cosy. Our Women’s Chunky Bed Socks have all these benefits and more. But beware, they’re so popular they’re rarely in stock! 

Guys, you’ll have to double up your Work / Boot Socks for now. Just make sure you wear them on different nights to when you’ve worn them in the day!

Why bamboo viscose fabric is perfect for socks

Now you know what styles you need to add to your drawer, the next thing you’ll want to consider is the fabric of your socks. Here at Boody, we believe that our signature bamboo viscose material is the best choice. Here are a few reasons why.

It’s comfy

Anyone who has tried our everyday essentials will know they are silky-soft and ultra-comfortable. This makes bamboo viscose the perfect fabric for socks. Cozy in winter and cool in summer, the thermoregulating properties of bamboo viscose socks make them ideal for year-round wear. 

Finally, a neutral charge prevents static build-up, meaning your socks won’t cling. Let’s face it, no one likes clinginess.

It’s healthy

Bamboo viscose socks are odor-resistant. Which, anyone who is on their feet all day will know is essential!

It’s eco-friendly

Last but in no ways least, our beloved bamboo viscose material is sustainable, making it the better choice for the planet. Organically grown without pesticides, insecticides or fertilisers, the bamboo crops harvested to create our yarns are also grown without artificial irrigation and improve air quality.

We are also huge advocates for the slow-fashion movement here at Boody, meaning we encourage consuming and wasting less. Forget socks with silly prints and slogans, we keep ours basic and minimal, so they can remain in your drawer for a lifetime. Shop our bamboo socks for men and women.

Choosing the right color socks

You’ve settled on styles, you’ve fallen for our bamboo fabric. Now it’s time to choose the right colour for your socks. Whether it’s black for business or white for breathability at the gym, this part of the sock selection process is not to be overlooked.

Black

Black socks

Bold and classic, everyone needs an array of black socks in their collection. Essential for everyday wear, black socks are perfect for slipping into brogues and loafers as you take on the workweek.

White

White socks

White socks are cooler and more breathable than their black counterparts, making them the ideal choice for the gym and other active pursuits. Wear yours in your favourite pair of sneakers as you hit the treadmill or go for a jog along the beach.

Grey

For a bit of variety, but remaining neutral and monochromatic, add some grey socks to your drawer. Our Slate and Grey Space Dye shades will add a touch of sophistication to any look, whether smart or casual.

Soft colors

Although we tend to avoid colours here at Boody, in favour of championing neutral hues, we have dipped our toes into some softer shades in our Chunky Bed Socks. Add a little flair to your feet with our Dove/Storm Space Dye and Dusty Pink/White Space Dye colours.

You may also like

The Best Father's Day 2023 Gifts...according to Boody

Guide

The Best Father's Day 2023 Gifts...according to Boody

Father’s Day takes place on the third Sunday in June; this year it’s June 18th, 2023. For many of us, buying both a thoughtful and useful gift for our father’s and fatherly figures can typically prove to be a dilemma.

What to Look for When Buying Activewear

Guide

What to Look for When Buying Activewear

When it comes to what you workout in, it's important to consider how they make you feel and look—but also their impact on the environment. That's where sustainable activewear by Boody comes in.

What is Organic Cotton?

Guide

What is Organic Cotton?

By: Heather Bien We’re all trying to be better stewards of Mother Earth. From recycling to upcycling and eating conscientiously to dressing mindfully, our choices affect the planet. So choosing organic cotton clothing seems like an easy decision, right? Not so fast! As with all sustainable choices, it’s important to take a moment to learn a bit more about why organic cotton might win over conventional cotton—and what makes these two materials different in the first place. Read on if you’re interested in learning about organic cotton and whether it’s the best choice for you and the environment. Conventional cotton Before we get into debating modern cotton farming techniques, let’s get familiar with the plant we’re talking about: cotton. It’s soft, durable, and probably on your body right now. But what else do you really know about cotton? Here are the basics: Cotton comes from the cotton plant – The cotton plant is a warm-season woody perennial shrub from the genus Gossypium and the family Malvaceae. Cotton fabric is made from the plant’s fibrous seed-hair (which is also called a cotton boll). Cotton is one of the top agricultural crops – Traditional cotton is the most widespread and profitable non-food crop in the world. Although the plant is capable of growing in any warm-weather climate, India and China are now the top producers of cotton globally. Cotton is thirsty – A normal cotton plant requires 10 gallons of water to reach peak potential. That doesn’t sound so bad, but multiplying it outward, that means it takes about 5,000 gallons of water to produce just 2.2 pounds of cotton fabric. Pests think it’s delicious – Not only is cotton thirsty, but it’s prone to pest infestations from bollworms, weevils, aphids, stink bugs, thrips, and spider mites. In order to combat these common pests, conventional cotton is routinely sprayed with a veritable salad-dressing of pesticides, many of which can remain in the soil and water supply for years afterward. Cotton harvesting requires defoliation – In order to quickly and efficiently harvest cotton, many commercial growers use chemical defoliants to strip the leaves from the cotton plant prior to harvesting the bolls. Like pesticides, these chemicals remain in the environment and on the cotton itself. Is organic cotton better? All of those cotton factoids point pretty compellingly to buying and wearing organic cotton fabric. But first, it’s important to understand what sets this organic alternative apart. Why exactly is “organic” cotton anyway? You might associate the word organic with your healthy fruits and veggies, but it’s not always clear what this term means when it comes to cotton. For many years, there was not a standard definition, but today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) require that any cotton product labeled “organic” meet the following criteria: Made with fibers from USDA-certified organic crops Third-party certified (ie., through the Global Organic Textile Standard) under the National Organic Program standards Has a specific percentage of organic material (depending on the crop) But this definition is a little circular, so we need also to define USDA-certified organic crops. According to the USDA, organic crop standards are defined as follows: Land must have had no prohibited substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest of an organic crop. Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be managed through tillage and cultivation practices, crop rotations, and cover crops. These can be supplemented with animal and crop waste materials and allowed synthetic materials. Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be controlled primarily through management practices, including physical, mechanical, and biological controls. When these practices are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or synthetic substance approved for use on the National List may be used. Operations must use organic seeds and other planting stock when available. The use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is prohibited. What is organic cotton? In short, it’s cotton that is farmed according to these practices and certified organic by the USDA. Why should you choose organic cotton? With fewer pesticides, fewer synthetic chemicals, and more thoughtful cultivation practices, organic cotton can certainly offer a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to regular cotton. Is organic cotton sustainable?  Here are a few other reasons why organic cotton can be a better alternative for you and the earth: It’s better for our water resources – According to an analysis by the Textile Exchange, producing an organic cotton T-shirt requires 1,982 fewer gallons of water compared to a regular cotton T-shirt. Because organic cotton uses less chemicals, its production also releases fewer toxins into our aquatic ecosystems. It’s good for the soil (and our carbon footprint) – According to the Soil Association, the more natural cultivation practices and fewer pesticides used by organic cotton farmers can support healthier soil. That soil, in turn, can absorb more carbon from our atmosphere and help keep the planet healthy. It encourages biodiversity – Multiple studies have shown that organic farming practices can encourage more diversity among the animal species of our planet. Sustainability is sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But when it comes to plant-derived textiles, the ones which help us create a healthier world are always a better alternative.  Explore the benefits of bamboo with Boody Whether you choose to purchase conventional or organic cotton clothing, the fact that you are shopping mindfully for yourself is a win for the environment. At Boody, we believe in bringing you quality, comfy, sustainable clothing basics that keep you feeling good about yourself and your personal impact on Mother Earth. From our sleepwear to our loungewear, women’s bamboo shirts to our underwear, sustainable and ethical are our touchstones. Our clothing is made of bamboo viscose, requiring less water than cotton while putting precious oxygen back into the environment. That just feels good, doesn’t it? Explore the bamboo benefits today, with Boody. Sources:  Britannica. Cotton. https://www.britannica.com/topic/cotton-fibre-and-plant Cotton. The Story of Cotton - Where Cotton Grows. https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/where.cfm World Wildlife Federation. Cotton. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton Textile Exchange. Quick Guide to Organic Cotton. https://textileexchange.org/quick-guide-to-organic-cotton Soil Association. What is organic cotton? https://www.soilassociation.org/take-action/organic-living/fashion-textiles/organic-cotton/  USDA. Conservation and Biological Diversity in Organic Production. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2016/02/29/conservation-and-biological-diversity-organic-production About the Author: Heather Bien is a copywriter and writer based in Washington, DC. She works with retail, ecommerce, and creative brands on their website copy and digital presence, and her freelance writing has appeared on MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, and more. When she's not with laptop and coffee in hand, you'll find her planning her next weekend getaway, working on her budding green thumb, or scouting for her next great vintage find.