Everyday Essentials: How to Find the Right Balance Between Value and Price in Socks
How we view value for money is probably very subjective and depends on many factors, like where we come from, how we were raised, and how much money we make. For one person, 200€ might be expensive; for someone else, it could be cheap. I think finding the right balance between quality, durability, and price is what most people look for. It’s good to be rational because today some prices can be really high, although quality pieces don’t always have to be expensive. There are still many good brands that sell quality products at reasonable prices, but it takes time to research and learn about them, which most people don’t do. it’s either you spend time or money, and it’s usually whatever is more valuable to you at that moment. I see this as similar to how many people aren’t willing to “sacrifice” some of their time for better well-being (read: taking care of themselves).
When we talk about menswear, it’s mostly about clothes and shoes, but very rarely do we talk about essential items that we wear every day — our underwear and socks. Many people are willing to pay a lot of money for clothes and shoes but are cheap when it comes to socks and underwear, and I’m not really sure why that is. Some probably do it so they can spend more money on other things, while others just don’t think it’s worth it because these items will wear out sooner. Or is it just because nobody will see them? ((I would like to get your opinions on this!) I can accept that way of thinking, but I don’t really agree with it. These are items that sit right against your skin and cheaper alternatives are usually not made from the best and most breathable fabrics.
I’m not saying you should go and spend a fortune on socks and underwear, but it’s worth considering better options mainly for two reasons. The first is better fabrics, and the second is who you’re giving money to. I have no problem spending a little more for a product that is made by a small company that reinvests that money in the local economy, especially if they also have their own production locally. This means that most of the money they generate goes to local people and suppliers, often as close to them as possible. That’s one of the main reasons why I prefer paying a bit more to small companies, instead of giving it to big corporations. But also the craftsmanship is often better on products made in smaller batches, which usually have better quality control, especially when we’re talking about handcrafted garments. For garments that are mostly produced by machines the difference is usually not as drastic, even though today most big production facilities are cutting steps to make products as fast and cheaply as possible, and this often affects the quality.
When it comes to quality socks, the price range is from €6 to over €100, depending on the fabric and the brand. To be honest, if you’re fine with paying €25 or more for a pair of socks I respect that, but you should probably stop reading this article and do something better with your time. However, if you're looking for the best value for your money and prefer to pay a bit more to support a smaller company with local production rather than buying from H&M or Uniqlo, I hope this article will help.
I have been researching and testing a few of these smaller companies with affordable prices for the last 2-3 years and some are not worth mentioning. But I would like to share my experience with Pedemeia socks. I own over 20 pairs, most of which I have purchased with my own money and worn frequently for the past 2 years. My favorites are from their basic collection which I wear very casually: Organic Cotton Ribbed Socks (7,40€), Knee High 100% Cotton Fil D`Écosse Ribbed Socks (9,80€) and Knee High Wool Merino Ribbed Socks (12€). Most of their socks come in a knee-high version (from 8,90€), which I would recommend if you want your socks to stay up. They also offer a few patterned options if you prefer them over plain ribbed version. There's also a collection of funkier socks with patterns and prints that pair really well with tailoring or even a suit - I've seen it and it works! Of course there are also sportier options that work great with very casual outfits, workwear, military style or sneakers. The only thing I haven’t tried yet is their invisible socks (from 7,50€), but I plan to try them this spring and summer and will write about how they hold up in a few months.
Considering their price I think they offer great value, but keep in mind that all socks will wear out eventually. You will probably need to replace them every 1-2 years, depending on how often you wear them. A good thing is that you get free shipping within the EU on orders over €80, so you can stock up when needed and get a great deal. If you’re not familiar with the brand yet, it’s worth giving them a try. You can also get 10% off your first order with the code ON10.
If you’ve already tried their socks, what’s your experience with them? If not, which brand is your go-to for socks?
Next time, I will talk about underwear.
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