The main feature of this type of product is definitely the scent. Here, we will talk a bit more about it, what types of aromas we have on our list, as well as which are good to use in which occasions.

One of the most common smells we have encountered in our research is that of fresh cotton, like in the case of the Bath and Body Works Oh-So Cozy, the Mimgo Cashmere cozy and the bamboo designs. There is nothing better than that breezy, clean smell of newly-laundered sheets when you spread out on top of your cotton bedding and breathe in the energizing scent, which is what these products tried - and largely succeeded - to mimic. This type of aroma is subtle and suitable for any event where you’re expected to take off your shoes.

Next in line, we have the ubiquitous lavender smell. Whether as essential oil or as part of an article of clothing like this, lavender is a soothing, floral aroma, one which has a myriad of benefits. It helps calm the nervous system, eases anxiety, stress, and fatigue; it can relieve nausea or motion sickness, as well as headaches. Additionally, lavender helps with sleep, relaxing the body and the mind. If you want to reap all these benefits, then go for the MinxNY Chenille or the SWM Lavender.

Finally, there are also smells associated with food - peppermint, an aroma which raises alertness and helps reduce pain and stress; chocolate, sugar, and even - quite unbelievably - pizza! The last three aromas, especially the pizza one, are meant to be playful and quirky, more for making people around you laugh as they try to catch a whiff of your feet than to offer any real health benefits. Products infused with these - the Living Royal series and the Psockadelic Pizza - are great gift ideas, and amazing for house parties where you want to leave an impression of someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously, and who likes to have fun.

There are so many more aromas to choose from once you truly dive into this wonderful world of perfumed items! Which one you will end up taking home is entirely up to you and your preferences. Just make sure that the smell isn’t so strong that it starts giving you a headache after a while, and you should have no trouble picking out your favorite!

Perhaps the style of your socks is not as important as the style of the shoes you’re wearing, but it’s all a matter of perspective and situation. Do your pant legs ride up when you sit? Are people going to catch a glimpse of your ankles? Are you perhaps wearing a skirt or a dress? Are you expected to take off your shoes? In all of these occasions, the style is important, as you don’t want to embarrass yourself by wearing a design which doesn’t fit the mood of the event or match the rest of your outfit.

We could easily divide all of the items on our list into two groups: serious and funny.

The first category - the serious designs - are the easiest to wear. These are monochrome options, like the Anatolian Bamboo or the SWM Lavender, which come in one color and thus make it super easy for us to pair them with any look we want. They are also suitable for ‘serious’ events, such as business meetings or formal gatherings.

However, don’t make the mistake of wearing a low-cut trainer sock such as the SWM Lavender with a formal suit, say at a wedding reception. Even within this category, there is the question of formality to consider.

Funny designs, on the other hand, are meant to lighten the mood. They can be worn as a touch of whimsy with your slacks and a button-up shirt for a more casual business look, or with the purpose of matching the occasion, such as reindeer or Santa patterned designs for a Christmas party. With these options you can do no wrong - they are meant to attract attention, and if you like compliments and cute accents, you should definitely wear them to an event they’re suitable for.

One last thing regarding style should be said for no show designs. These are hidden in our footwear, such as ballet flats or loafers, and actually, make it seem like we’re not wearing any socks at all. The Corner4Shop Bamboo No Show is invisible in standard footwear, and thus it doesn’t really matter what the style is - unless you decide to take off your shoes.

Similarly to the type and the intensity of the aroma, we also feel like style is a highly subjective category. What is suitable for one person may not be suitable for another, and all that matters here is that you find something you’re happy with. Choose either a classic design or a fun one, and enjoy showing off all the cool colors and patterns on your feet!

In our guide, a lot of attention has been aimed at the materials that go into the construction of the products. Indeed, when it comes to this article of clothing - there isn’t much else. Materials are what make a sock comfortable, breathable, soft or rough, supportive, even durable and colorfast. They determine practically everything about it, and thus it is important to purchase something that is made out of high-quality materials.

So how to know what to look for? We’ll present you with a brief outline of each type of material found in our list, their pros, and cons, and let you decide for yourself which one is the best choice for you.

• Bamboo: We’re starting the list off with a bang, with one of the easily most beneficial materials used in the making of these products. Bamboo has it all - it is one of the softest fabrics out there, incredibly moisture-wicking even when your feet are sweating excessively; it is antibacterial, hypoallergenic and extremely environmentally-friendly.
  In case you have been wondering if it is too good to be true - at the same time it is, and it isn’t. The downside to bamboo is that it is expensive. Products made out of bamboo are more of a luxury than, say, cotton ones, but even that is slowly changing for the better. If you have an opportunity, you should definitely go for bamboo whenever you can.
• Cashmere: Cashmere is a type of wool, but not from a sheep. Rather, it is obtained from a cashmere goat and is, therefore, more expensive than standard wool.
  Cashmere is a fabric that is insanely soft, and really a pleasure to wear. Not only that, but it is also insulating - providing warmth retention in the winter, while not being too thick or constricting at the same time.
  In the same way as bamboo, cashmere is also a luxury fabric, and will likely remain pretty costly in the future.
• Cotton: Out of all of the materials listed, cotton is by far the most commonly used one. It is decently soft, breathable, and suitable for those who have sensitive skin.
  It retains moisture, and while this is not a problem for casual wear, it becomes an issue if you’re using cotton while you’re exercising. Through its absorbent qualities, cotton socks become like wet washcloths around your feet, which is not a comfortable feeling at all. This is why cotton is not a fitting choice for high-impact activities.
  A couple of more disadvantages to cotton are that it doesn’t retain color as well as other materials, especially polyester and that 100% cotton products tend to shrink in the wash.
• Elastane: Elastane is also called Lycra, or Spandex. It is a stretchy fiber with properties similar to rubber. There are no products made entirely out of elastane; rather this fabric is only used in a small percentage, like 2% or 5% in each design, because that is more than enough to provide the necessary elasticity.
  Items with elastane deliver a snug fit that easily moves with your foot, and neither constricts you too much nor slips down the leg as you go about your day.
• Polyester: After cotton, the second most commonly used fabric is polyester. While cotton is a natural material, polyester is entirely man-made. It is extremely durable and will last for a very long time if properly cared for. It is also more colorfast than cotton.
  However, polyester comes with some breathability issues. While this fabric dries quickly, it also makes the feet sweat at the same time. Furthermore, polyester isn’t biodegradable, meaning that it poses a serious threat to the environment.

We understand if all of this information is a bit much to take in all at once. After all, it seems like the material type is one of the most important factors here. (And it is.) However, it is not a matter of life and death. If you’re unsure of which material to pick out first, choose the one which sounds the best to you and for your purposes. If you find it lacking for any reason, you can always go for a different one next time!

Material type is one of the key things in determining whether or not a design is comfortable. The fabric can either be gentle on your skin or itchy and abrasive, even causing hot spots or blisters when combined with footwear. Other than this factor, there are a few more that go into determining a product’s comfort, such as the fit of the design, and its overall construction.

You may think that there isn’t much to this simple item of clothing - but rest assured that even it has several ways of being sewn together. Look at the seams, for example. Does the design have them? Or is it a seamless option, such as the Anatolian Bamboo? If there are visible seams, are they flat, or are they protruding out of the surface? If it’s the latter, this may cause a problem of a seam digging into your skin, especially if you intend to cover long distances on foot.

Additionally, the fit of the design is also important. The sock shouldn’t in any way limit the movement of your foot. It shouldn’t cause indentations in your skin, and definitely should not, by any means, cut off circulation.

In the same vein, a design also shouldn’t be too loose. It should stay snuggly fitted to your foot, not sliding down your ankles and not causing your feet to awkwardly flop around. Find a size which fits without constricting you and without any excess material hanging off - this bunching of the material may also cause chafing problems down the line if you’re aiming to spend a lot of time on your feet.

If a design has traction pods on the bottom, make sure that those don’t hurt when you walk on hard surfaces, and that they don’t press too much into the soles of your foot.

Lastly, make sure that you can comfortably wiggle your toes. This is a similar situation as when you’re trying on new footwear - your toes shouldn’t be squished together or going numb, and you should be able to easily spread them without the material holding you back.

A good question you may be asking yourself is - how long are these products going to last? How many times can I wash them before they start turning threadbare and perhaps even get a hole? What about the smell? How long is that going to last? All of these are valid concerns, and we’re going to answer them here.

As you have already gathered from our Materials section, the durability of the design and practically everything else is riding on the quality of the materials. Some are more durable than others, such as bamboo and polyester, and some are not so lasting, like cotton. Keep this in mind when you shop so that you know what to expect when you bring a new pair home.

The same goes for colorfastness, or the ability of a material to retain color and keep it vibrant even through many washing cycles. Polyester is extremely good at this and will remain vividly colored for a long time to come. Cotton, again, is not so colorfast, and the colors on it will likely start to fade relatively quickly.

Since we are talking about products which are scented in this guide, we have to mention how this particular aspect of design - its specific smell - doesn’t last forever. In some examples, it lasts for only a couple of washings, while in others it may last for up to 10, but it does disappear sooner or later. That is, unfortunately, the nature of the product, and there is no way around it.

All that being said, what is good about this type of product is that it is inexpensive! Even if you purchase an item that turns out to not be as durable as you’d hoped it would be, you can always go right back out and get yourself a new, different one. Shopping for things that don’t put a significant dent in our budget is a delight, and if for whatever reason you end up unhappy, there is a better design waiting for you just around the corner.