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When it comes to seemingly small decisions that can really screw up your whole day, choosing the wrong socks ranks way, way up there. I was forced to contend with this very reality yesterday, when the past-its-prime pair I pulled on before I left the house started slipping down my calfs, gathering under my arches, and eventually bunching at the toes. It was unpleasant. And I know we’ve all been there.
What I don’t know is why I decided to opt for those blown-out socks when I have much better ones on hand. They’re from the Danvers collection, by Pantherella. They’re steeped in history, craftsmanship, and tradition. And they’re a great reminder that little things can be huge delights—so long as you choose them carefully.
About that history
The company has been going strong for nearly nine decades, starting as Midland Hosiery Mills in 1937 before changing its name to Pantherella in 1945. Its big innovation—one that’s still at the heart of the brand’s offering 87 years later—was focusing on finer yarns and lightweight fabrications that feel a whole lot fancier than bulky, hyper-practical socks. Founder Louis Goldschmidt got a local machine maker to create a specialized sock machine to help do the job, and the whole enterprise exploded in popularity. Soon, Pantherella was exporting its wares around the world. But even as it’s grown in both size and reputation, the entire operation remains rooted in Leicester, England, making socks on the same street where it started back in ’37.
SHOP $29.50, nordstrom.com and pantherella.com
Toe the line
The thing that always strikes me when putting on a pair of Pantherella socks is just how seamless they feel. Even when compared to more modern athletic socks from the sportswear giants that spend untold sums on innovation, they remain impressive. The most famous element is the hand-linked toe. Gone is the bumpy seam that’ll rub and annoy and possibly leave you blistered at the end of the day. In its place, a near-invisible connection with just a couple of tiny bits of unobtrusive thread at either side. Flip the sock inside out and hold it in your hand, and you can see and feel how it came together. On the foot, though? I can’t feel a thing. It’s like there’s no seam at all. Add to that the lightweight yarn and the ribbed construction that keeps your socks up without pinching, and you could almost forget you’re wearing them at all.
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Time to get a little fancy
One thing I should make clear: These are dress socks. I don’t think you should take them out for a jog, or pair them with your chunkiest runners. But it’s summertime. This is the season of penny loafers and Belgian shoes and all manner of slip-ons. It’s time to bust out those sleeker sneakers that don’t quite work with robust fall fabrics but look great with some cropped linen trousers. It’s also—don’t panic!—wedding season, which means there’s a good chance you’ve got a fair few events on the agenda that require you to put on a suit and tie, polish your lace-ups, and cut a rug with a bunch of other well-dressed revelers. This is exactly the time of year for well-made, lightweight, fancier-than-average socks. (And if you’re staunchly anti-socks, even with a suit, that’s cool—but consider that the experts might encourage you to try covering those ankles.) Pantherella’s socks have all the history and quality you could ask for, and they’re comfy enough to dance all night. In other words: a little thing with a very big payoff.
SHOP $29.50, nordstrom.com and pantherella.com
Photography by Joe Lingeman. Prop styling by Heather Greene.
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