Drawing on nylon

Drawing on nylon is the easiest, so let’s start there.  Say your costume needs some sort of specific pattern on the legs. A good example would be Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas. Her stitched-together legs are a huge part of costume accuracy (which maybe I’m a big nerd about).  Here’s what you’ll need:

• A good reference picture (I like this one of assorted Sally parts) •
• A permanent marker—they make Sharpies in about every colour now, which is awesome! •
• white or off white tights, like the Opaque Tights •

Always test in an inconspicuous place, to make sure that what you’re using and what you’re using it on don’t hate each other. The Opaque Tights and Sharpies get along pretty well!

It is way easier to do this with the tights on, so suit up. Keep in mind there will be a little bleed through from the marker.

Now, keeping an eye on your reference image, start drawing! Try to go as smoothly as you can. Sometimes I found that the felt marker tip wanted to catch on the nylon.

Ooh, the detail really makes it. I wasn’t trying to get too-too accurate with the stitches, just going for the overall feel.

And, done! So easy! If you wanted to earn extra points, just add a blue-grey shade to ‘em with the skills you learned in DIY: Dyeing Nylon.

That’s tights, but what about socks? Join us after the jump for more tips and tricks!

Drawing or painting on cotton/acrylic blends

Now, the textured knit of cotton and acrylic blends presents more difficulty than just drawing on tights. There are two ways to approach this, with paint or with pen. I decided that even though a permanent marker and a fabric pen look the same initially, I wanted to go the fabric pen route for permanence. Fabric markers can be hard to find, but plain ol’ craft paint and the fabric medium that helps it seep into a sock’s fiber is a lot easier (and you can paint on fabric without the medium, but just like using a Sharpie instead of a fabric pen, it doesn’t work as well or last as long). I’m using blue paint and pen and white O Basics because I want to replicate the thin top stripes Fionna wears in Adventure Time.

Whether pen or paint, it is a lot easier to do this when the sock isn’t lying flat, so put it over something like an oatmeal container or a salt box. It’s silly, but it helps.

To keep my lines even, I wrapped a line of masking tape around the sock. It’s a nice trick—and masking tape was made for masking things off!

I’ll start with a pen first. I found a good reference image so I could keep the stripes proportional.

What drives me crazy about pens on cotton and acrylic blends is all the fuzz you ruck up. Be sure to clean the pen tip as you go, to keep your lines neat.

Remove the tape and touch up any lumpy spots. Remember, nobody is going to look as closely at these socks as you are, so don’t stress!

Painting is just as straightforward. Remember to read the instructions on the fabric medium. Most tell you how much medium to mix with your colour and if you need to heat set it after it’s dry. My fabric medium needed to be 1 part to every 2 parts paint and set with an iron after drying for 24 hours. Go slowly so the paint seeps in well.

Remove your tape and let it dry. If it needs to be heat set, don’t forget to do that! It will help your hard work last longer.

So painting or pen gives pretty similar results for simple stripes (pen on the left, paint on the right, below). Think of all the things you can do and costumes you can finalise!

Bonus round! Make those tights into arm warmers.

Oh wait! So you have Sally’s legs, from the first part of this entry, but what about her arms?! Easy. Get yourself a spare pair of tights and a pair of scissors and let’s go!

Cut off the toe seam and free the leg of the tights from the panty area.

Now just follow the outline of we showed you in DIY: Arm Warmer Basics! Mark where you want the thumbhole to be and cut it. Since these are just nylon tights, you don’t have to worry about unravelling!

All that is left is adding any pattern or decoration, dyeing if you need to and cutting the sleeves to the right length! But they’re already pretty spoooooky arm warmers!

And you can match your arms to your legs if you’re going as a cartoon character with crazy coloured skin, like grey or orange—and you can match any patterns or stripes they may be rocking on whatever limbs (I am pretty specifically thinking of Marvel’s Tigra).

Okay, you’re set to go! And if you’re particularly proud of your costume, enter the Costume Contest on our Tumblr! You’ll totally make my day if you name-drop any DIY from the Sock Journal that you used.

You don’t even need to have a Tumblr account to submit your photos, so this contest is open to every single sockster. If you have any questions, please email us, and we’ll be happy to help. We’ll be accepting submissions until 11:59 PM on November 3rd. Please be sure to click through to see the details and guidelines for submitting content, and have fun! ♥

Comics

We’ve got some solid comics fans here, most notably Zaffie at our Tumblr. She’s already pointed out that Kate Bishop in Hawkeye #2 (story by Matt Fraction, art by David Aja) is wearing what looks like the Extraordinarily Longer Thigh Highs in Plum & Black.

Spiderman is a classic. And it takes some layering, but one of our Shop Dreamers dressed up one of the manequinns at our brick and mortar store in Opaque Tights in Royal, Opaque Solid Nylon Trouser Socks in Red and the Spider Lace Pantyhose for a webtacular Spidey look.

Super heroes (and villians) are easy game when looking for good use of legwear. They have to wear something under the leotards, right? Another Dreamer reminded me of one of my favourites—Poison Ivy, specifically her character design by Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series. Her simple look is all pulled together by simple lime green tights.

Of course, you don’t have to keep it simple. We’ve had (amazing!) customers pull unique, stunning looks together too (like this fabulous steampunk Poison Ivy).

TV

I know a lot of you are into My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (if only because of all the drawing requests!) so you know that there are a ton of rainbow options to accessorise your Rainbow Dash costume. But one Dreamer suggests that the Furry Rainbow Leg Warmers might be just the thing. You’d be like a My Little Clydesdale!

I am going to be honest here and say that I have no idea who this character is (thank goodness for Dreamers filling me in!), but Fishnet Footless Tights and the Lace Anklet with Ruffle seem to be pretty key pieces to dressing as Robin Sparkles from How I Met Your Mother.

Another popular character is Rachel Berry of Glee. She wears a lot of knee highs and a lot of solid colour basics that can be easily matched by the Color Tights and the Opaque Solid Nylon Trouser Socks.

Video Games

One game that a lot of folks I know are playing is Borderlands. Gage the mechromancer has some great black and white wide stripes that are perfectly matched by the Extraordinary Striped Thigh Highs in Black & Natural.

Also in Borderlands (which is looking to be a pretty sock-tastic game) Mad Moxxi rocks some mismatched stripes and Fencenet Thigh Highs. It’s hard to tell what colourway the stripes are, but the Uma Striped Over the Knee looks to be a good match.

Movies

We were pretty big fans of the Joker’s socks in The Dark Knight. Though we don’t have the Joker’s every day chaos-checkered socks, we do have a taller option in the Neon Checkered Chaos OTKs that would look fab for folks going as Nurse Joker.

Our Tumblr caught this one already too, but Sally from Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas wears scrunched black and white stripes. I think maybe the Super Warmers – Short would be a great match (and give you room in your shoes for patchwork tights)!

If you want to be classically classy, one of the Dreamers points out that you can’t go wrong with Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Either the Satin Gloves with Snap Buttons or the Opera Length Satin Gloves with Rhinestone Trim plus the Sheer To Waist Pantyhose in Black with a little black dress and pearls? Perfect.

This one is a little esoteric and you need a friend to really pull it off, but you could totally channel the vibes of 101 Dalmatians with the Contrast Vertical Striped Thigh Highs for Cruella DeVille (maybe over some red tights?) and the Foot Traffic Polka Dot Knee Highs for a Dalmatian.

A far more straightforward approach would be to emulate the original horror stylings of Jaws with a 3-D Shark Bite Sock over some Bloody Zombie Thigh Highs.

Whew. That’s a good one to end on, right? I hope we’ve helped inspire you if you’re still struggling with a costume. Remember, we love when folks share how we’ve helped them make a costume perfect and our Facebook is a great place to do it! How are socks helping your costume come together?

The ultimate classic monster, Dracula, didn’t ever really show socks. I am sure someone as aristocratic as the Count totally rocked classy cashmere midcalves, but nothing you ever saw on screen. Nonetheless, you can wear his vampiric, black tie look a little more campily (because really, Bela Lugosi is a little camp anyway).

• Tuxedo Midcalves •
• Opaque Tights in Red •

As old as vampires are werewolves, and Universal’s Wolfman (and the ground breaking transformation scenes!) is as classic. Transforming into this hirsute beast won’t take much trouble, or a full moon. You just need some appropriate accessories.

• Harajuku Furry Warmers in Brown (we like these as muffs/arm warmers too) •
• Fingerless Arm Cozy in Walnut Brown •

Nerds know you don’t call the big green guy “Frankenstein.” Properly he is “Frankenstein’s monster” or, “THE MONSTER.” And he’s yet another sockless wonder. But I bet big ol’ feet like his would do best with comfy, terry lined styles like the M Bootsocks. Or! I bet he’d like something fun (and colour-coordinated) like the Sock It To Me Monster Midcalves!

The Monster’s lady, on the other hand, wears long fingerless gloves, or bandages that look like it. And you can rock her distinctive hair without breaking out the bleach by rocking those stripes on your legs with a little creative layering.

• Simone’s Sleeves in White •
• Opaque Tights in White •
• Side Stripe Legging •

Some more movie monsters and associated socks after the jump!

Now, the Mummy we’ve straight up got a sock for with the Ashi Dashi Mummy Crew. But what socks would be a less direct homage? Maybe wrap yourself up in the longest socks we’ve got and keep them up with some immortal Egyptian symbology.

• Great Whites •
• Snappy Ankh Sock Garter •

The Creature from the Black Lagoon is tricky. But a black net or crochet-look style layered over green tights should add some subtle scales to your look.

• Eyelash Web Tights •
• Opaque Tights in Olive •

The Invisible Man does rock one distinctive accessory that we carry and that’s a pair of gloves. Other than that? You could say that the Sheer to Waist Pantyhose are practically invisible, but I don’t think that would to the Invisible Man’s transparency justice.

• Classic Satin Gloves •

Some of these homages are subtle, so you could integrate them into everyday wear. I think a day knowing that you’re rocking some Bride of Frankenstein stylings would be fabulous! Do you have a favourite classic movie monster?

Skeleton Socks!

If you need something like the Kawaii Skeleton OTK, all you need is a pair of black socks, a paintbrush and some white acrylic paint (like craft paint).  This one is easier to do if you put the socks on (it’s even easier if you have someone help you, though!).  Keep in mind, some paint will leak through to your leg, but that’s the beauty of craft paint, it washes off.

Using our image of the Kawaii Skeleton OTK or an image of leg bones as a guide, paint some bones on your socks. If you’re not comfortable freehanding, use a piece of chalk or a white eye liner to draw some guides before you paint.  The result is much more like an x-ray, which I kind of like!

Not too hard!  But if you want an even easier option, you can DIY your own version of a very popular stocking we sold out of way too fast this season.  That and more after the jump (believe me, you want to see what other Halloweeny goodness I have to share)!

Bloody Zombie Socks!

We sold out of the Bloody Zombie Thigh Highs in a blink and their supplier, Leg Avenue, didn’t have any more to send us.  But no worries, you can DIY your own!  They’re even easier than the skeleton socks, though they’re definitely messier.  If it’s not too cold, it’s probably better to do this outside.  You’ll need red acrylic paint and a pair of white socks. I’m a baby about the cold, so I’m doing this carefully inside with newspaper. If you want more realistic splatter, then add a little purple and brown to your red paint.  Whatever colours you use, add a touch of water and mix it in so the paint is runny.

Now just spatter the paint on!  You might want to practice on some blank paper first to make sure you like the effect.  You can use sticks, brushes and your fingers to hurl the paint at the socks. What’s nice is, if you spill, it still looks perfect.

Gross!  And awesome.  Pair these babies with some artfully torn clothes and stumble about for the full zombie effect.  Or strap on some stakes and you’re a vampire/monster hunter!

We just could not predict that the Bloody Zombie Thigh Highs would be so popular!  Every year we have to make a guess as to what Halloween costumes are going to be popular, so we can have the socks you need.  In the time I’ve worked at Sock Dreams, one costume started out super popular but has become less common over the years.  Strawberry Shortcake, with her green and white striped stockings, just isn’t as popular as she used to be, poor thing.  Which means that the Plush Strawberry & Bow Thigh Highs we stocked up just for Halloween have been sadly sitting there all month.

So sad! Well, not for you.  They’ve been marked down from $8 to $6, so we can clear them out! They’re seasonal, so you’ll probably see them again next year at full price, but grab a pair now while they’re on sale!

Speaking of key socks for costumes, our very first video is about just that.  Yes! Sock Dreams has made an adorable video about socks for costumes and Halloween.  You can see it here, on our fledgling YouTube channel!

Whew, lots of info, but lots of great info.  Remember, we love seeing how your costumes turn out, so share them with us on Facebook, especially if you decide to try these DIYs.  Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Oh dang! Halloween is only about a week away?! Have you thought of a costume yet?  It’s not quite enough time to whip something complicated together and you know that all the good stuff in thrift stores have been scooped up already. So what to do?  Well, at the start of the month I mentioned some socks that make a costume, but now it’s time to bring in socks that are a costume (or most of one).

No, don’t worry, we’re not suggesting you wear just socks. It’s cold this time of year.  But to be a ninja, all you need is to wear all black and the Ninja Knee Highs from Gumball Poodle.

And to be a bee takes just the Fuzzy Stripe Leg Warmers in Black & Yellow and, if you’re feeling adventurous, the Striped Over the Knees in Black & Yellow turned into arm warmers with the know-how from the Arm Warmer Basics DIY.

Still stumped? We’ve got a couple more ideas after the jump!

Now, if you’re a Portland local, there’s a definite probability that you own a pirate hat.  But instead of looking like any other swashbuckler, you can rock a literary reference as Captain Hook with one of the 3D Alligator Bite Socks  (or the less fearsome Mouthy Alligator 3D Socks) on your hand.

Now this one takes a little bit of craftiness.  If you can get a hold of a big box and a can of silver spray paint, you’ll just need the Metallic Leggings in Silver to be a super future robot.

Clearly, we’re (or at least I’m) excited about all the Halloween costume possibilities this year.  Have you figured out what you’re going to be?

Gumball Poodle (the recently renamed Rock Socks) has some straightforward seasonal options, the only bummer is that there’s no way to wear all three, so you can be an EVIL WICKED ZOMBIE!!!  Which is way better than just a wicked zombie or an evil zombie.

• Evil Knee High •
• Wicked Knee High •
• Zombie Knee High •

Speaking of zombies, there’s the quietly creepy Zombie Knee Socks and Zombie Midcalf—under pants or a long skirt they just look like black socks, but you’ll know they’re scarred, scary and super undead.

More spooky styles after the jump!

Bats! They’re almost necessary for haunted houses and the same goes for your legs (haunted legs, ooooh!).  If the Bat Attack Knee Highs or the Kawaii Bats Over Your Knees are too batty for you then try spooking up your shoes with the Bat Laces.

While we’re talking spooky, these next styles might be too scary for arachnophobes, but folks who love spiders should dig these creepy-crawly socks.

• Sock It To Me Spiders Knee Highs •
• Spider Crews •
• Spider Web Knee Highs •

And you can’t have spiders without webs!

• Spiderweb Thigh High (also available in a tight!)•
• Sheer Spiderweb Arm Warmer •

Now, we don’t make any bones about how much we like skeletal styles and we try not to lose our heads over every style with skulls.  But these three are probably my favourite:

• Sock It To Me Day of the Dead Knee Highs •
• Skull & Crossbones Sock Garters •
• Gothic Skull Over the Knees •

Those are just some of the styles in our Halloween collection.  What socks do you rock in Halloween solidarity during the month of October and throughout the year to bring a little spooky to the every day?

Remember, Halloween is coming up so check out our costume posts and get your order in soon so you’ll get it in time for the holiday!

My personal favorite from this latest batch of Halloween goodies are the Candy Corn socks…
Based on our classic “striped knees” DreaM Stockings
*made exclusively for us in the USA using recycled cotton*

this version won’t be around long so if you love the bright colors grab a pair while you can.
…but worry not, we’re getting a darker version soon that should last us all the way til winter creeps in.

And when winter does creep in, me and my dogs are going to stay nice and cozy no matter what our crazy Portland weather throws at us!

*That is if you are in the US, if you are ordering internationally it is too late to get your goods from us, we would be lucky to get them to your border on time, let alone through customs.

If you love face paint, you may want to try rocking the La Calavera Catrina look, a classic Dia de los Muertos costume and image. Some face paint, any sort of outfit, and a pair of the Harajuku Long Bones Arm Warmers and the Kawaii Skeleton Over The Knee.

More costume fun after the jump!

Rainbow Brite is a total Halloween classic, and her look is easy to emulate using our Rainbow Collection. The most popular options are the Foot Traffic Rainbow OTKs and the Cuffed Rainbow Leg Warmers.

The beautiful costuming by Colleen Atwood for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland has inspired many and Sock Dreams knows just what socks and stockings to use for the finishing touch. We’ve even got a whole Wonderland Collection for you to check out!

Alice

There’s a great scene in the film when Alice’s aunt chides her on her stockings and I was thrilled that we got a look at the legwear she was rocking under her petticoats.  I couldn’t find any screencaps, but this great shot from the costume exhibition shows us that Alice wears daintily striped black and white knee highs, like the Sheer Striped Ruched Trouser Sock in Black & White:

Red Queen

Thanks to this great promo shot, we’ve known for a while that the best match for the Red Queen’s legwear are the Poker Suit Printed Thigh Highs.

Mad Hatter

Now he’s trickier.  Showing off his socks with his knickerbockers, the Mad Hatter has at least three different pairs of mis-matched socks that he wears!  In the movie posters and promo images your best bet to match the right foot are the Ozone Stripey Midcalf in Navy or Black. For the left foot you just need a bright orange sock, like the Cotton Slouch Sock in Tangerine.

Then there are the socks he wears in the Red Queen’s palace, as the Dormouse is trying to remove the leg iron. We haven’t found example stills yet, and but this is the only time we see a clear, close look at any of the Hatter’s socks.  It’s doubtful that they’re matching, but the one we do see is simply repeating stripe of red-black-white-black-red.  Similar styles we carry are the Sock Dreams Home Teams in Black & Orange and the Soft & Dreamy Wide & Thin Stripe Knee High in Black Multi.

When the Mad Hatter faces off against the Jabberwocky, he rocks a kilt and two simple (but not matching!) stripes, best approximated by the Over the Knee Rugby Stripes in Navy & Light Blue on the right and the Super Stripe Knee Highs in Charcoal & Grey on the left.

Whew! Lots of socks and lots of costume ideas. I hope this helps in figuring out your costume.
Let us know how they work and we always love to see pictures…
which you can add as a fan photo on Facebook. 

Photo credits! Catrina Masked, originally uploaded by Green Kozi on Flickr.  1980’s Rainbow Brite from Rainbowbrite.net. Alice in Wonderland costume stills and pictures found on the amazing Costumer’s Guide to Movie Costumes. The Alice Hall of Doors scene, originally uploaded by FIDM on Flickr.