There isn’t a whole lot of difference and sometimes we do use the phrase “knee sock” when we’re talking about knee highs. But, more often than not, when we call something a “knee sock” we’re talking about a sock that ends somewhere around the knee—sometimes below, sometimes above, sometimes right there in the middle of your knee cap—depending on your leg shape. The Bess Cashmere Slouch Rib Knee Socks are a perfect example of this, you can see how they end at different spots on different models’ legs:

Since we try on all the styles we sell and almost all of the models you see in our pictures are Sock Dreams employees, we get to see how socks act on different leg types. Long legs and fuller calves mean some shorter over the knee styles don’t fairly deserve the name “OTK”. But those same socks can’t properly be called knee highs either because just as many other folks had them go over their knees. So, we started using the phrase “knee sock” to highlight that ambiguity.

It was Sourpuss’ styles that made us first start using the phrase more actively, they’re shorter for over the knee styles and even though Sourpuss called them OTKs, we couldn’t after testing them, even though we love them.

• Octopus Knee Sock •
• Galley Ho Knee Sock •

The DreaM Stockings “knees” styles are another great example of a knee sock. Available in seven variations (with lots of varieties for each!), they can be worn as over the knee socks or knee highs, depending on your legs (or on your personal taste, I prefer them as knee highs, even though I’ve got short legs).

Clockwise, from top: Purple Knees, Pink Knees, Green Knees, White Knees, Orange Knees, Blue Knees. Center: Brown Knees,

A way to find these in-betweeners is also to choose both “knee high” and “OTK” in Advanced Search then click the word “ALL” next to the header for Coverage. This shows you styles we’ve found fall both above or below the knee, depending on your leg. If you’ve got longer legs or fuller calves, you may already know the trick of wearing OTKs as knee highs, cuffing or double-cuffing to take care of any extra length.

A knee sock isn’t a style that couldn’t cut it as an OTK, nor is it just an over-achieving knee high. They straddle both coverage worlds, offering their stylish services to more leg types.

One style Gumball Poodle calls “dress socks.” You can spot ‘em by their contrast heel and toe. Smooth textured and thin enough for snugger shoes, they’re perfect at hiding under office slacks, looking like a plain dress sock at the ankle while secretly being like, a ninja.

The other style is called an “athletic sock.” True to its name, this style is rugged and ready for anything. A terry lined foot cushions and absorbs—in the copy for the athletic styles we even say “Keep in mind that they are SO cushy they bring your shoe size up by half a size, so they’re best for roomier sneaks and boots.” Their lightly ribbed body is a pro at staying up, they’re no sissies.

Beyond just style, the differences between the dress and athletic socks affect the fit. The dress socks don’t stay up as well on some legs as the athletic socks and there is no way the athletic socks are fitting into snug dress shoes. But with over forty words and phrases to choose from we know you’ll find a fit that strikes your fancy and says exactly what you mean.

By now you might be wondering how the samples were…. tiny, cute, delicious, unexpected (blue cheese brownies!?!), but most of all… the very best thing there was good old fashioned English Toffee made by a little Portland based company named Melting Pot Candy, along with their jalapeno version that kept my throat warm long after we walked away, if you can get some do… they were super tasty!

This summer we had some socks made especially for us by Gumball Poodle, to show off how much we love the Rose City Rollers.  You may have seen them for sale at a couple derby events, but now even folks who live far away and still call Portland home can show off their pride for their derby home team with I ♥ RCR knee highs!

The images for these socks were shot for us by the lovely Taylor B photography, who not only took some snaps of the I ♥ RCR knee highs, but got some fun shots of other derby favourite styles.

from left to right
• Extraordinary Striped Thigh Highs •
• Top Striped OTK Tubes •
• Dreamy Knee High Tube Sock •

from left to right
• Extraordinary Striped Thigh Highs •
• Dreamer Harlequin Diamond OTKs •
• Extraordinarily Longer Striped Thigh Highs •

There are lots more great derby options, no matter what team you’re on.  Drop us a line if you’re having trouble finding your colours or want help finding just the right socks to rock (refs, we have a lot of great black and white vertical stripes, like these!).

Thank you again, Taylor B photography and goooooooo RCR!

‘Cause who doesn’t want some Wicked Whiskey this time of year?

• Wicked Knee Highs •
•Whiskey Knee Highs •

And I so want to see what a Zombie Heavy Metal Derby involves!

• Zombie Knee Highs •
• Heavy Metal Knee Highs •
• Derby Knee Highs •

A couple more after the jump!

“Evil Nerd” must mean that there’s a mad scientist in this box!

• Evil Knee Highs •
• Nerd Knee Highs •

And, saving the best for last, this one cracks us up pretty regularly.  So, is a “Ninja Mazel Tov Bitch” a deadly, celebrating lady or is this something you say in an action-film scenario?

• Ninja Knee Highs •
• Mazel Tov Knee Highs •
• Bitch Knee Highs •

What are some of your favourite Gumball Poodle phrases? Do you rock mis-matching socks so you can tell folks that you’re a Derby Queen?

• Kabella Wool Cable Trouser Socks •
• Greyson Merino Microplane Midcalf •
• Lucille Wool Crochet Trouser Socks •

It’s also getting to be time for tights and leggings, to add that extra layer of warm when you need it.  Maybe it isn’t quite cold enough for cotton-lined wool, but lighter weight, open-knit cotton tights like the Codori Crochet Tights will help you keep rocking shorts and skirts as the leaves start to fall.  They’re available in two new colours too, Graphite and Espresso! We don’t have images for them yet, but they’re the same as the same colours in the Doris Crochet Trouser Socks.

A couple more transitional options and my favourite OTK trick for when the weather warms up after the jump!

Cozy OTKs that cuff well in wool or cotton are also the perfect thing.  I wear a pair of over the knee socks pulled up when I walk to work and end up cuffing them to knee high by the end of the work day.

• O Woolies •
• Pebble Ribbed Over the Knees •
• NZ Sock Lady Merino Thigh Highs •

Now, I’ve got short legs so to get OTKs to cuff properly on me I have to double-cuff them, unless I want to slouch my socks—which I love, but doesn’t work for all styles.  It’s a super easy trick that makes all the difference. (Ooh, these socks are in our new item queue and I LOVE them, so keep an eye on What’s New this month for sure!)

It’s also time for leg warmers and arm warmers! We’re already seeing people start to stock up—they’re great because you can layer them when it’s cold and take them off and pop ‘em in a pocket or purse if it warms up.

• Foot Traffic Ribbed Knit Leg Warmers •
• Orkney Angora Wrist Warmers •
• Super Warmers Long •

So how do you transition into fall?  Is there a sock or style that you have to stock up on once the leaves start turning?

A quick tip: on average, men’s US shoe sizes are the same as the women’s size, minus two.  So if our Sizing Tips for a product say that a style fits women’s US shoe size 7 – 11, then they should fit men’s US shoe size 5-9.  Most suppliers call their larger foot sizes “men’s”, which also tends to be midcalf.  We’ve got these styles in a collection all their own.

Nothing is really more old-school masculine than our Men’s Sock Garters (called such because they’re styled after the traditional men’s sock garters, not because they’re just for guys). They also are available in stripes and extra-long.  They add a fantastically polished look to any outfit.

The button and loop closure on these traditional garters work best with thinner dress socks, so if you plan on pairing them with styles with thicker cuffs, the tougher grip of the Suspender Clip Sock Garters is the way to go. Here are a couple of socks that do work well (and look great) with traditional sock garters:

• B Chevrons •
• Ozone Stripy Midcalves •
• B.Ella Teodoro •

Midcalves are commonly associated with father’s day socks, and if that’s your padre’s style, we have a ton of options.  But there are other sock styles out there, even if you (or the person you’re buying for) are rocking men’s US shoe size 11s!  Check them out after the jump!

Knee highs look great with shorts.  Plus, even though it’s warm right now and hard to imagine winter chills, taller socks are great under long pants when the weather turns frosty.

• Dreamy Knee High Tube Sock •
• Meat Knee High •
• Dream Stalker Stripes •

On the opposite end of the spectrum are ankle socks, which pair fantastically with sneakers and other casual shoes, adding a flash of colour around the ankle.

• Dream Sneakers •
• Split Toe Quarter Crew •
• Eco Performance Rainbow Quarter Crew Toe Sock •

Of course, these are all just some starter ideas for what to pick out for Father’s day.  Every dad is different—what things are you thinking about picking up for your poppa?

Spring weather is my favourite. T-shirts and trousers or shorts and longsleeves, lighweight coats and shoes that don’t have to handle winter floods! One of my favourite menswear blogs recently posted about what socks to wear with plimsol sneakers (canvas shoes), which is a great question. Warm weather shoes don’t have to accommodate thick winter socks and they’re often paired with more casual looks, which opens up a bunch of fun possibilities.

The favourite thin sock in my household are the B Chevrons. They do double duty as a dress sock with loafers, the wide range of colours means they go with nearly everything and they’re not hard on the wallet. Those chevrons in the knit make these airy socks that get worn far into summer. Smaller feet have an option too, with the A Chevrons, which have a lighter palette.

I like A and B Chevrons because they’re great peeking beneath the hem of slacks, but they also scrunch down and look great with shorts. Here’s three more lighter-weight crew and midcalf options:

• Bastia Comfort Top Crew •
• Performance Liner Crew •
• Brittany Sailor Stripe Midcalf •

Options for shorts and some of the best longer socks for warmer weather after the jump!

Sometimes I can’t wait to break out shorts, but the weather isn’t quite warm enough for it. Or it starts out not warm enough and is super sunny by the middle of the day. In the first instance, I like thin over the knee styles like the OTK Rugby Stripes.

If you’re more of a knee high person, the Super Stripe Knee Highs are good for lots of feet, since they come in two sizes (and there are a bunch more OTK and knee high options for larger feet in the Larger Feet section). I’ve been seeing more and more dudes rocking knee highs with shorts. Tall socks are the perfect way to get around the kind-of-grandpa look of socks with shorts, while still getting to rock shorts and socks.

Cotton is always a good bet when looking for lighter-weight socks, but thinner wool options are out there too (spring mornings can be cold, and warmer socks mean shorter shorts!). Some of our Dreamer’s favourite springtime outfits involve shorts and lacy wool tights.

• O Chevrons •
• O Basics •
• Patricia Merino Crochet Tights •

Slouchable tall socks, paired with garters, are a great way to deal with changes in weather. I, of course, am a huge fan of the Harajuku Super Loose.

Some more lighter socks that look great slouched or tall with shorts and skirts are:

• Ruffle Striped OTK •
• Bess Cashmere Slouch Rib Knee Socks •
• Diamond Lace OTKs •

Whew, this is getting long. I’ll save all the anklet and no show options for later, maybe when it’s a touch warmer. What socks do you start breaking out as it warms up?

We’ve just introduced some Anna Sui into the mix, which includes some sweet little ankle socks that complement the classic Betsey Johnson styles.

• Betsey’s Stargazer Shorty •
• Sui Rose Crew •
• Betsey’s Peekaboo Crew •

More Betsey and Anna after the jump!

We may not be able to get more of the Betsey Bee’s Knees right now (we’re trying!), but Anna Sui has two equally adorable knee highs:

• Anna Sui Floral & Ribbed Knee Sock •
• Anna Sui Amish Heavy Gauge Knee High •

A Betsey Johnson style that is sure to go fast are the Petite Pointelle Over the Knee. We’ve got just Black available right now, but there are two more colours that we’ll be releasing soon. If you see one you like, get it while you can! A little lace, a little open work and the signature Betsey bow.  Another style of Betsey’s that we love are the Mark Mahoney Tattoo Sheer Tights. I am a sucker for the little details on Betsey Johnson styles.  So dainty!

That’s just a taste of what we have and what we have coming, so keep a sharp eye on our Latest Items, both Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson are just too good to miss!

What about a perfect preppy pairing of argyles for each sized foot in a new family?

• Leonardo Argyle Midcalf •
• Arygle Baby Booties •
• Carlino Argyle Crew •

Need something quirkier? Space dye to the rescue!

• Space Dye Terry Shortie •
• Space Dye Terry Baby Booties •
• Space Dye Terry Crew •

More cozy wool options and a few that will bring a smile to your face after the jump!

Fuzzy stripes in itty-bitty booties and a grown-up crew:

• Lexy Wool Boucle Stripes •
• Katy Striped Wool Baby Socks •

Polka dots to perk up the whole family!

• Cesare Cashmere Blend Dot Socks •
• Dottie Baby Polka Dot Baby Socks •
• Bea Polka Dot Crew •
• Liza Polka Dot Knee Socks •

Three foot size choices in a sedate cashmere blend wooly solid:

• Este Luxe Crew •
• Nuova Baby Ribbed Wool Socks •
• Gregorio Wool Bootsocks •

The Cotton-Lined Knee Highs are popular, but did you know they also come in a knee high for itty-bitty feet and lots of sizes in between? Even teeny feet can have knee highs!

This pairing we blogged about when the baby penguin socks first came in, but it never stops making me giggle (and if you’d rather have matching, there are Happy Penguin Socks for grown up feet!):

• Shark Bite 3-D Midcalf •
• Penguin Baby Socks •

What about something a little more ‘traditional’?

• Mouse Baby Socks •
• Pretty Kitty 3-D Midcalf •

Whew! I could go on forever, it’s so fun to do. Have you paired up any of the socks we carry to make little families?