This close to the end of the holiday season, the urge to panic-buy inevitably sets in. What does your best friend, boyfriend, cousin, colleague, or cat-sitter really want, anyway? A box of boozy M&S truffles? Some dusty lavender bath salts you’re quietly re-gifting after inheriting them from an ageing relative? Probably not. When in doubt, there is one gift capable of working for all: socks.
Once regarded as the reserve of uninspired gift-givers, a good pair of socks has become something I’m sincerely happy to receive. Not all socks are created equal, of course. I’m talking wool, cashmere, or at the very least a cotton blend, please. None of the Primark multi-packs destined for the back of the drawer, thank you. Aside from being a one-size-fits-all Christmas gift, the statement sock can be stylish as well as practical – an easy way to elevate your winter fits.
Francesca Babbi
My interest was first piqued by the embellished school socks Simone Rocha sent down the runway, slipped into techy bejewelled trainers or gem-encrusted Crocs. Then my head was turned by Conner Ives’s collegiate purples, Comme des Garçons’ neon pink fishnets, Thom Browne’s Brideshead Revisited classics, and some surprisingly practical pocketed pairs at Fendi.
Francesca Babbi
