Heel to Toe: A Guide to Feet from Socks4Life.com

Sock it to Me! Spring Looks Inspired By Fashion Bloggers

Kacie — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:52:54 +0000

All too often, we think of socks as just a necessity and miss the opportunity to make a statement with this quirky accessory. This spring, we’re excited to see many of our favorite fashion bloggers incorporating socks into their coveted looks. Don’t believe us? We’ve compiled our absolute favorites to share with our beloved Heel to Toe fans! Take a cue (or two!) on how to wear socks with your wardrobe this season:

Mix Patterns

In early spring, it’s still too cool to hop into a light dress (sans tights, that is). We love this look by Kendi Everyday, perfectly implementing the mix-and-match trend along with her cute socks. Mix a colorblocked sweater with printed skinnies, striped crew socks, and stylish wedge booties for a look that is both fun and flirty.

Go Vintage

We’re loving the vintage vibe of this look from Steffy’s Pros and Cons! With a perfect combination of old and new, Steffy mixes a seersucker pleated dress with over-the-knee socks, loafers, and an adorable red headband for a splash of color. These socks are not only modest, but also add a little extra coverage for those chilly spring days. We love these ruffled over the knee socks for their girly embellishment!

Give ‘Em the Boot

Boot socks are all the craze, and we’re loving the mix of brights in this look by Anna James of FashBoulevard. Boot socks were in high demand this fall/winter, and we love any way to push this trend into spring! As the weather warms, mix a light chambray shirt or jacket with a flowy dress, knee-high boots, and solid color knee socks.

Play Dress Up

We found this gorgeous sock inspiration at Liminas Magazine! While we don’t often see the look in day-to-day life, the trend of wearing socks with dresses and heels is growing on us. Be bold this spring and combine a feminine, pleated dress with a pair of cozy quarter socks and strappy sandals for a fun and flirty look!

Add Layers

With the unpredictable weather patterns of spring, layering is a must! This fab look by The Wicked Ying provides a perfect compliment of mixed prints, layers, and comfy socks. Combine printed, high-waisted shorts with a top in an alternate print, a bright blazer, strappy sandals, and white socks much like these uber affordable ankle socks.

Jazz up Those Wedding Socks

admin — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:04:54 +0000

When it comes to “The Big Day,” your bride has most likely been scouring Pinterest and bridal magazines for fun and unique ways to make your wedding extra special. While the attention may be mostly on her beautiful dress (and those of the bridesmaids), the groom and his groomsmen can find fun ways to stand out as well. While boutonnieres and ties are more obvious options, those wishing to add an extra touch may opt for statement wedding socks. Hidden during the ceremony, these great accessories make for fun and unique wedding photos.

Check out these ways to add flair to your wedding attire via socks!

Patterns: Argyle & Stripes

Patterned socks are always a winner, and they offer you nearly limitless possibilities. Because wedding socks are simply for fun, there is no need to worry about looking silly. Does your wedding have a specific theme? Think tiny palm trees for a beach wedding, autumn leaves for a fall wedding, or simply opt for a classic pattern such as argyle and stripes. These men’s argyle socks and striped dress socks (or even smaller, more subtle patterns) are affordable and available in varying colors.

Something Blue

Keep in mind that your bride needs “something blue.” Coordinating her blue wedding shoes with fun, blue dress socks makes for adorable wedding keepsakes like the one above. Don’t limit yourself to just blue. You can choose coordinating shoes and socks of any color!

Coordinate With Ties & Flowers

Matching your ties and flowers with your socks is a fun and stylish way to incorporate color without going overboard. Choose a color and give each groomsman a varying shade like in the photo above.

A Pop Of Color

Wedding socks are a great opportunity to play with color to liven up an otherwise drab suit. These lime green socks are super fun, super affordable, and can be purchased in virtually endless colors.

Most importantly, take this opportunity to have fun with your friends and family before, during, and after the ceremony. You may be surprised to discover that something as insignificant as crazy wedding socks can make for unforgettable memories!

Images: Wedding Chicks, Ruffled, Style Me Pretty, Once Wed, Poppytalk, Jim Kennedy Photographers, DarlinsDesserts, Satin and Snowflakes

Celebrate in Style: Your 2012 Holiday Fashion Guide

admin — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:00:12 +0000

The glitz and glamour of the holidays is officially upon us, and as your schedule for the next couple of months fills up with yuletide celebrations, office gatherings, and saucy soirees, you’re going to need the perfect party attire. Have no fear, because the fashion team at Heel to Toe has got you covered. This season is stressful enough without having to think of what to wear for the holidays, so here’s our gift to you: affordable style inspirations that’ll make you sparkle brighter than the ball drop on New Year’s Eve. From the perfect party dresses—luxxe fabrics, classic prints, and colorful frocks are perfect!—to the trendiest accessories (chic clutches, retro sunglasses, and knee high socks are so in), we’re sure you’ll make the season’s best-dressed list. Tis the season to look fabulous.

Happy Holidays little fashionistas!

Love,

Socks4Life

tank · clutch purse · dress · necklace · retro sunglasses · skirt · black socks

black dress · purse · coral dress · necklace · oversized sunglasses · cream dress · thigh highs

ruffle dress · black handbag · red dress · necklace · sunglasses · skirt · knee high socks

flowy dress · clutch · fur scarf · leopard dress · cat eye sunglasses · wrap dress · argyle knee socks

pink dress · purse · yellow dress · bracelet · blue dress · round sunglasses · silk scarf · skirt · thigh high socks

Fall Sock Trends

admin — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:45:13 +0000

Although hard to believe, fall is right around the corner. We’re looking forward to fall for the crunchy leaves, crisp air, football, and of course fall fashion! You’ll want to keep your toes warm on those chilly nights, so here are some ways to incorporate socks into the trends of the season.

Slouch Socks

If you paid attention to Victoria Beckham’s fall 2012 collection at New York Fashion Week, then you must have noticed all the heavy boots. Of course, boots are not new to fall fashion, but all of the boots were worn over cozy slouch socks that fell just below the knee. What a trendy way to keep warm!

Another fall 2012 trend is the preppy look. I am talking ankle pants, letterman sweaters, and penny loafers. Slouch socks would also complete that look. A couple pairs could become very versatile in your wardrobe for the season.

Color

If you are thinking color, then it will be helpful to know that fall’s 2012 sock colors are pretty basic. The list includes white, burgundy, navy, and black.

Knee highs

Knee-high socks look great paired with dresses and skirts or even with skinny jeans. Just like with the slouch socks, a good look for knee highs is to have them peeking out of tall boots. Look for knitted pairs, definitely not the athletic tube sock look.

Thigh Highs

Not only are knee highs a trend, but over-the-knee socks are also a great fall look.If you’re going to wear thigh highs with a skirt or shorts, be sure they’re not too tight around the top. This style would look good with boots or heels, as seen on the starlets above.

These are some of the trends and how to rock them (and keep warm)! Get your socks ready; chilly nights will be here soon!

Image sources: Shoe WaWa, College Fashion, http://burtongirls.burton.com

Protect Your Feet This Winter

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:37:55 +0000

Jack Frost is Here, Time to Bundle Up!

“Bundling up” typically conjures up images of hats and gloves, puffy coats and furry blankets– not socks and shoes. But our often overlooked appendages need some winter TLC too! The dry winter air and cold temperatures are hard on feet. For those of us who tend to go stir crazy if forced to stay indoors, and thus brave the freezing temperatures to ski or skate, winter’s even tougher. Never fear! No need to hide from Mother Nature for three months, just take follow these simple tricks to protect your feet from the cold temperatures.

Make sure the shoe fits

While this rule should apply all year round, making the switch from flip-flops to winter boots is tough. Don’t make it any harder than it has to be by shoving your feet into too-small boots. Be sure you have winter footwear in the correct sizes to prevent crowding and discomfort.

Keep your feet warm AND dry

This is especially important for us “stir-crazy” folk. Staying active outdoors during the cold winter months creates quite a predicament. Our feet need to stay warm, but trapping heat can lead to moisture build-up.

Podiatrists recommend wearing a light synthetic sock to wick moisture away from the to a thicker wool outer sock where moisture is absorbed and evaporated to the outside. This is especially important for winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and ice skating because the stiff boots will not allow evaporation. Double-up socks so that moisture doesn’t get trapped at your skin within the thin synthetic sock.

Moisturize

Feet tend to become dry and cracked in the winter. Avoid painful toes by moisturizing daily. Look for creams and lotions with rich ingredients like Shea Butter, Coconut Oil or Rosemary and Peppermint extracts. See our section on foot care for more tips!

Keep your feet pretty

Just because you’ve packed the sandals away and shoved your feet into boots, doesn’t mean that you should ignore your lower limbs for a season. Keep your toenails trimmed to avoid ingrown toenails. Exfoliate to remove excess skin and again, don’t forget to moisturize daily! Check out the foot grooming section to for more ideas.

Whether you plan the winter months on the slopes or in front of a fire, don’t forget to pamper your ever-so-important feet!

Latest Diabetes News

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:37:32 +0000

Thanks to scientists and researchers, there are huge breakthroughs in medicine every day. Whether it be a new device to make diabetes management easier, or progress on a cure for the disease, people with diabetes should be in the loop on the latest news. We hope these reliable news sources assure that you are always kept up to date on the latest diabetes management and cure breakthroughs:

http://www.diabetes.org/news-research/news/diabetes-in-the-news/
http://www.diabetesheadlines.com/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/diabetes/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/diabetes/
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/index.html
http://www.informationaboutdiabetes.com/news
http://www.diabeticlive.com/diabetes-101/diabetes-news/new-drug-may-reduce-insulin-injection-dependence-in-type-1-diabetics/

Podiatric Exams Reduce Chance of Amputation, Study Says

admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 23:56:47 +0000

New evidence shows that adults with diabetes can reduce their chances of hospitalization and
amputation with just one visit to a podiatrist, according to a recent study conducted by Thomas Reuters.
These study results come at an important time when one amputation takes place every 30 seconds in
the United States. Further, it is predicted that one in three adults will have diabetes by 2050.

The study examined the medical records of 32,000 diabetes patients between the ages of 18-64. By
comparing those who had foot exams against those who did not, the study found that those who
received foot care from a podiatric physician are almost 29 percent less likely to require amputation
than those who did not. In addition, those who had a foot exam are 24 percent less likely to require
hospitalization.

“Because many serious complications from diabetes present in the lower limbs, proper foot care for
people with diabetes is a vital step to keeping the disease in check,” according to the American Podiatric
Medical Association (APMA). In 2007, the APMA launched the “Knock Your Socks Off” campaign to
educate diabetes patients about the importance of foot screenings.

The results of this study are groundbreaking and important in diabetes research. Before now, podiatrist
visits were considered optional. “No longer can care by a podiatrist be considered optional for those
with diabetes,” says Vickie R. Driver, MS, DPM. “The earlier a podiatrist is included in the diabetes
management team, the better quality of life for the patient and greater health-care cost savings for all
involved. This study clearly allows us to understand both the clinical and economic value of a podiatrist,
in the team approach to saving diabetic patients’ feet.”

During a routine foot exam, something as simple as a new shoe recommendation or a prescription for
seamless, diabetic socks can improve the foot health of a diabetic. Because diabetics lose feeling in their
feet, diabetic socks reduce the chances of undetected cuts and sores developing on the feet, which can
lead to serious medical problems or amputation.

Knitting Enthusiasts Gather At Sock Summit

admin — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 20:18:25 +0000

It’s a shame socks are often considered the least important clothing item, especially when the comfort of the feet depends so much on them. Those who consider socks not just a necessity, but a passion, gather every summer at the Sock Summit, in Portland, OR.The summit began in 2009, and revolves around knitting. That first year, the participants broke the Guinness World Record for number of people knitting at the same time–937, to be exact. No word as to whether they’ll break their previous record.

Knitting Kit-Jimin (Photo credit: nist6ss)

The activities revolve around the finer points of knitting. One of the highlights from 2009 is the vast selection of 1-day classes offered. For a fee ranging from $15 to $140, based on the time, you can learn how:

to knit bavarian stockings
to knit arch-shaped stockings
to knit argyle socks
to knit crochet socks
to make socks last longer
to podcast about socks

The classes vary in difficulty, though the easiest assume some form of knitting experience.

The summit relies on the help of its participants and volunteers to provide the classes, as well as another impressive project at the summit: The Sock Museum. Volunteers knit replicas of socks as they would have been knitted throughout history–some are categorical socks, such as “Evening Stocking for the Young Lady,” from the early 20th century. Others are quite specific, such as the Confederate and Union socks, or the earliest example of knit socks, discovered in Egypt and dating back to 300-600 AD.

The exhibit occupies a place at the summit, though you can also view the varying knitting developments in socks in a timeline on the website. (http://www.sockmuseum.com/)

If you’re interested, sign up for the mailing list on the organization’s website. You may even be inspired to create your own exhibit.