WEARING WELL

Stories of the clothes we love NOVELTY SOCKS

“Novelty socks can lift your mood on a grey winter day”

Since this time of year often prompts some reflection over past deeds and misdeeds, I’m starting with a confession. Some 15 years or so ago, I received a pair of novelty Christmas socks in the office Secret Santa. I’m ashamed to say that I failed to hide my disappointment, to the extent of being pulled aside and given a stern talking to by a colleague. I was wrong, not only in my ungracious reaction but also in my blatant dismissal of what was clearly a great gift, and which has stayed with me since, keeping my toes snug in underheated rented flats and being the first line of defence against blisters on long walks.

However, there’s no denying that ‘novelty’ when applied to clothing (especially Christmas clothing) has the connotation of naff. That seems slightly unfair compared to its dictionary definition: ‘the quality of being new, original or unusual’. Likewise, it’s a bit sad that the idea of colourful/patterned /novelty socks might be something out of the ordinary. That’s changing one step at a time though: the Swedish brand Happy Socks was founded in 2008 based on asking why something worn most days by most people was often so dull. Making socks in bright colours, interesting patterns and from super soft materials, not to mention collaborations with the likes of Keith Haring, The Beatles and Monty Python have resulted in many happy feet, in over 90 countries. After all, wrapping your feet in something colourful can really lift your mood on a grey winter day, or raise a smile when you catch a glimpse under a trouser leg.

Although I’m firmly pro novelty socks all year round now, it’s really Christmas that they come into their own: not just in terms of designs

(those Robin patterns you still wear in June), but because we all feel that bit more free to push our stylistic boat out at Christmas and, crucially, being something new (or a novelty) to talk about when you’re on the fifth day of being with extended relatives. Fantastic for this purpose is UK brand, Chatty Feet, bearing the faces of famous people and carrying pun-tastic names, from Prof Brian Sox and David Sock-Knee to Frida Callus and David Toewie.

And yes, though I failed to appreciate it all those years ago, such socks make great gifts. So, if you know me, may I mention that I’d be delighted to receive a pair from Thought ( particularly their Marey Bookworm socks), not only novelty but also made in an ethical way. You may well be receiving a pair, too. Especially when that office Secret

Santa comes around again…