Men's Appetites for Statement Socks Are Insatiable

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Men's apparel outsold women's apparel last year for the first time in a decade, and The Atlantic thinks that the popularity of statement socks is a big part of the reason why. Worn by everyone from Rob Kardashian to George H.W. Bush, colorfully outlandish socks are slowly becoming the "the new neckties" or "lingerie for men."

For hard data, The Atlantic cites a report released this week by retail analytics firm NPD, which shows a 2% growth in sock sales between August 2013 and August 2014. That outpaces the general growth of the $206.7 billion global apparel market.

How did we, as a society, get so into hot pink dress socks? Blame Europe, where the trend originated, The Atlantic says, as well as Nike. The popularity of the company's Elite socks, released in 2008, propelled Nike to annual sock sales of $100 million. Now retailers from Forever 21 and Target to online socks startups like Nice Laundry are helping men up their sock game.
· 'Like Lingerie for Men': How Statement Socks Became So Trendy [The Atlantic]
· Teva and Woolrich Strike Unholy Sock-Sandal Alliance [Racked]
· Donate $35 or More to the GOP, Get George Bush Sr. Socks [Racked]
· Stay Warm in the Drive-Through With Taco Bell Socks [Racked]