1. Socks Categories
Socks are an apparel bargain that generally fit in to different categories depending on consumer’s need. Socks are designed, priced and packaged for virtually every one. The major categories are:
Everyday Comfort Socks
These are the basic socks for everyday casual wear.
Performance Socks
These sporty socks often contain technical yarns or finishes that add benefits or enhance performance in an athletic activity.
Coordinate Socks
These fashion socks match your wardrobe. They are available in a full range of basic or seasonal fashion colors & textures, and are often tied to a brand or designer label.
Dress/ Novelty Socks
These fancy socks for special occasions, seasons or novelty purposes may have special embellishments.
2. Socks Length
Over the Calf / Knee high / Trouser Socks
These provide coverage to the top of the calf below the knee and wear well with all type of shoes. Knee-highs are fashion socks available in variety of textures and patterns, usually worn in a colder weather with skirts & shorts. Trouser socks are thinner & usually worn with dress pants or trouser.
Crew / Work Sock / Boot Sock
These provide coverage up-to mid calf and may be worn straight-up, cuffed or scrunched. They are available in different sizes “ribs” or textures and may be modified as a work sock or boot sock by adding extra reinforcement and cushioning for extra protection in heavy-duty shoes.
Cuff Socks
These provide coverage between the ankle and calf and may come in a single cuff, turned over three times or turned over to show terry loop construction. They can be worn year-around especially with shorts & dresses, and wear well with all type of shoes except ladies dress.
Ankle Crew/ Quarter Socks
These cover the foot up to the ankle and wear best with athletic & casual shoes.
Footie / Low Cuff
These cover the foot, stopping below the ankle. They are popular in hot weather and are sometimes embellished with stripes or logo. They wear best with athletic & casual shoes.
“No Show” Socks
These are covered by a shoe for a “no socks” look. They are popular in hot weather.
3. Socks Styles
Casual Socks
Casual Socks describes all women’s socks & most men’s socks with exception of dress & athletic socks
Sports, Athletic & Outdoor Socks
These socks are specially designed for sports & athletics i.e. Tennis Socks, Badminton Socks, Table Tennis Socks, Squash Socks, Football Socks, Golf Socks, Hiking Socks, Running Socks, Cycling Socks, Skiers Socks, Skater Socks, etc
Slipper Socks
These are casual in-the-house or bed-time socks.
Medical Socks
Socks are designed for medical patient like diabetic etc
Turned Welt Top
These taps are turned over and knit down during the knitting operations. This creates a neat appearance in the top with no loose strings. It is used particularly in athletic socks.
Bobby Socks
Bobby socks are heavy cuffed anklets that were predominantly a girls’ fashion in the 1940’s.
Tube Socks
Tube socks have no knit in heel or toe. They are generally worn for athletics & other casual activities.
4. Comfort Socks
Anti-Bacterial
This durable finish is added to socks to control the growth of odor-causing bacteria. It usually will not wash out for the life of sock.
Support
Supports socks are made of nylon & polyester with nylon & elastic fiber added to give support to the leg & foot to reduce fatigue.
Terry or Cushioned
Terry fabric is used in socks for increase cushioning. It is used mostly in foot of the sock and can be full or half terry around the sock.
Thermal
Thermal socks can be made of heavy acrylic, wool, polypropylene or a blend of fibers. They are winter weight socks favored by skiers, skaters or others that spend a great deal of time outdoors in cold weather.
Wicking
Wicking is the capacity of a fiber or yarn to transport moisture away from the foot for evaporation.
5. Socks Sizes & Specifications
Any specifications regarding size, weight, color, yarn quality, dyeing etc of the socks can be implemented as desired by the clients.
Sizes Available
• Mens
• Womens
• Boys
• Girls
• Youth
• Toddlers
6. Heel Type
• True Heel
• False Heel
• Y-Heel
7. Terry Type
Standard or Sandwich Terry
8. Fiber Content/ Socks Blends
Socks are available in fiber content / blends like:
1- Main Yarn: Cotton, Mercerized Cotton, Cool-max, Modal, Wool, Acrylic
2- Plaiting Yarn: Polyester, Nylon, Lycra
3- Rib & Welt Area: Elastane, Lycra
Natural Fibers
Cotton
Cotton is a comfortable with a soft hand. It absorbs moisture from the foot, has good color retention & stretch.
Mercerized Cotton
Mercerized cotton is cotton that is treated to give higher luster and a softer hand. It also will dye darker, richer colors than regular cotton
Silk
Silk fibers are obtained from the cocoons of various types of silkworms. They are soft, light weight and add luster, but can be expensive.
Wool
Wool is the soft, curly hair of sheep that is spun into yarn. Wool is warm, sturdy & durable. It has a crisp, resilient hand and excellent insulating properties, even when wet.
Manufactured Fibers
Acrylic
Acrylic fibers are man-made and are generally warm & light weight. They are used in casual, dress and athletic socks. Acrylic keeps its shape well. Its other properties include resilience, softness, easy care, minimal shrinkage, rich coloration and the ability to wick sweat away from the foot
Polyester
Polyester is a man-made fiber that is abrasion resistant has excellent wash-ability, and is fast dyeing. It is really heat-settable & dye-able. Polyester is used in mens, womens & boys sports & dress socks.
Nylon
Nylon is the first & oldest of the true synthetics. This fiber is famous for its strength, abrasion resistance, dimensional stability, soft hand, elasticity and easy washing characteristics.
Spandex (Elastane)
Spandex is a generic term denoting a man-made elastomeric fiber used in place of a rubber. It can stretch to more than five times its relaxed strength and recovered. It provides better size ranges, improved fit and better comfort.
9. Socks Machines Available
• Lonati
• Sangiacomo
• Matec
• Uniplet “Ange”
• Colosio
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