Argyle Style Guide
THE BEST ARGYLE SOCKS
A GUIDE TO FINDING THE BEST ARGYLE SOCKS
WHAT ARE ARGYLE SOCKS?
Argyle socks utilize a diamond-shaped pattern with two or more colors and typically a single diamond-shaped stitch overlapping the center of the pattern. The diamonds typically stretch the length of one side of the sock and repeat from the toe all the way to the cuff.
Hundreds (and possibly even thousands) of variations exist of this simple pattern, but the commonality that unites them is the diamond shape over a solid color background.
Example of Gem Green Argyle Socks from boldSOCKS
HOW DO YOU KNIT AN ARGYLE PATTERN?
Knitting an argyle sock can be quite complex because of the amount of diagonal color changes in the socks. Socks are woven in a tube shape horizontally and the number of needles (gauges) and thickness of the yarn determines the length and height of each diamond in the argyle pattern.
When a color changes in a horizontal row, the machine cuts the yarn and a new yarn is woven into the sock. The right combination of engineering, yarns and machinery then contribute to making the perfect argyle sock. The diamonds should be stitched at a one-to-one ratio to form a clean, diagonal line. If you’ve ever noticed that the diamond is wider than it is tall, it is because of the stitch is not a perfect square. It is slightly wider giving it a slightly truncated appearance to the entire diamond.
WHAT MAKES THE BEST ARGYLE SOCKS?
With the sheer volume of argyle socks available online today, it is important to find a brand or style that fits your needs. We believe not all socks are created equally. Some are too tight. Some are too cheap. Some are too uncomfortable. At boldSOCKS, we look at six factors that should be considered when buying the best argyle socks: value, materials, colors, quality, ethics and design.
VALUE OF THE ARGYLE SOCKS
We all take price into consideration when making purchases, but instead of making decisions on price alone, we encourage you to consider the value of the argyle socks. The value is a combination of price, quality and use. If you only value one use out of your socks, price may be your only consideration, but if you value longevity and style, you will evaluate the quality and price together because you’d like the socks to be comfortable, stylish and last a long time.
MATERIALS OF THE ARGYLE SOCKS
Surprise! Not all socks use the same materials. At boldSOCKS, we believe the material blend is one of the most important factors when buying the best socks. A high percentage of combed cotton (generally 70% or more), will create the most comfortable argyle dress socks. Be cautious of synthetics and cotton alternatives that don’t offer the same, natural comfort.
ETHICS OF THE ARGYLE SOCKS
Ethics is often overlooked in fashion. Where the materials are sourced, spun and manufactured is often unknown or very difficult for customers to find. Transparency and ethics should be a consideration, however, when buying socks. Our Statement Sockwear argyle socks are manufactured in Colombia using a vertically integrated supply chain. That means from the time the cotton is picked until it is manufactured and shipped, our partner has complete control and oversight. Deals are not brokered down the supply chain that compromise the quality of the socks or the care of the employees.
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The argyle pattern is iconic. It is a symbol of rebellion in the 18th and 19th century, a symbol of style in the 20th century, and now in the 21st century, it is a classic design seen on everything from jerseys to handbags. We wanted to recreate the argyle sock not just in unique color combinations, but with a new, unique spin on the diamond-shaped design. Our Statement Sockwear argyle socks utilize a diamond inside a diamond to create a bit more pop and variation in the socks. Today, our sock designs are being counterfeited in places like China using lesser quality components so be careful buying our designs anywhere other than boldSOCKS.com.