Choosing your SPRING SOCKS

This year, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow at the annual Groundhog Day viewing. For those of us familiar with the old American legend, that means spring is just around the corner. This season is an exciting time signaling rebirth, encouraging people to clean up (and clear out) their houses, as well as a time for people to put away their winter wardrobe in place of a lighter, sunnier, and more casual look. One thing that people often neglect to overlook when it comes to swapping out winter wardrobes for warm weather ones, however, is their socks. Since spring is a tricky season for temperatures -- very frequently showcasing days with hot highs and evenings with chilly lows -- getting a sock that works with your sense of style, springtime events, and springtime temperatures can be tricky. Luckily, if you plan for spring, you can be sure to step out the door in style, comfort, and with a little extra green in your pocket. Determine the Average Spring Temperatures For Your Area Springtime temperature conditions will vary depending on what place in the United States you live in. Because of this, there is no right choice for a springtime sock. New England, for instance, averages highs of no more than 50 degrees. Sometimes, even single states have drastic differences in weather. Utah averages a high of 48 degrees in March in the upper part of the state but a high of almost 70 degrees in certain southern parts of the state. If you're sock shopping, determine the average weather for the entirety of spring before you shop. You're not going to want a pair of no show socks if you're still expecting temperatures in the low thirties. You should also take into consideration the makeup of the sock versus average temperatures. Trouser socks, for instance, cover a great deal more of the leg than low-rise socks for men or women, but the material can make a huge difference in the warmth. If you're down to the last two pairs of socks in your drawer and one of them is a set of microfiber socks, and one is a pair of trouser socks, one will keep you much warmer than the other. However, if you see a set of spring-themed microfiber socks on sale but you live in South Texas where spring temperatures reach the mid-eighties, you might want to avoid the purchase of said socks and opt for a thinner, more breathable pair of socks. Take Humidity Into Account If you've ever heard someone say "It's a dry heat" when referencing the temperature of the place, they aren't just trying to upsell the place. A place's heat index is reliant upon the way the body feels in that place relative to the amount of humidity in existence in that place. Humidity plays a huge part in tolerating heat, and the reason why this is so is due to sweat. Sweat is the body's way of keeping itself cool, and in dry weather when the sweat evaporates, this works quite well. That's why places with high humidity, like the Southern United States, feel so much hotter in 90-degree weather than places like Idaho, Wyoming, or Montana -- places that have low humidity. It might seem counter-intuitive to wear socks when you know that it will be sweltering, as it almost seems like putting a blanket on already uncomfortable and warm feet. However, in some instances, wearing socks makes a foot's environment that much more tolerable. Say you are a female teacher who lives somewhere where spring temperatures exceed seventy degrees, and the humidity level is very high. You are required to wear professional footwear that is also comfortable -- which often equates to wearing flats. Wearing low-liner socks for women (especially ones that wick moisture away from the foot) are critical from transforming flats from unbreathable sweat machines to the height of comfort for professional work wear. Plan For Holidays Spring is home to many holidays, and for one particular holiday, it's always good to have some green hidden somewhere in your wardrobe. Most sock companies carry socks to help you celebrate those special days. Some favorite holidays to consider patterns for include -- St. Patrick's Day, Easter, International Woman's Day, April Fool's Day, and Earth Day. Usually, these patterns are available in many styles, including no show socks for men and women. Consider the Signs of Spring Easter is, in practice, a Christian holiday, but the symbols that have commercially come to surround it -- bunnies, chicks, flowers, eggs -- reach beyond religion. Sporting socks with one of these symbols on it doesn't mean that you necessarily celebrate Easter, but it does mean you're hoping for warmer weather and the beauty of nature that comes alive during the springtime. Mud Season Rather Than Spring? Consider a Pattern. One of the most heartbreaking things that can happen to a beloved pair of socks is when they begin to get stained and brown on the bottom from overuse. In places like Maine, where early spring is often referred to as "mud season," a pair of socks can go from new to ruined in a single use because of mud and dirt brought out by the melting snow, increased rain, and higher humidity. Even if socks aren't completely ruined, laundry gurus will often purchase more of their stain removal products and find themselves a little lighter in the wallet because of it. While wearing a patterned sock doesn't make the sock invincible to mud and dirt stains, it does make them less easy to see. This ultimately prolongs the life of a sock and livens up the wardrobe at the same time. Spring means more than just out with the old, in with the new. Celebrate the changing weather and beauty of the season by adapting your wardrobe and spicing up your sock collection. Foot Traffic is home to a variety of socks that are designed to keep your foot temperature regulated, your wardrobe in tip-top shape, and your spirits up as the snow starts to melt and the flowers start to bloom. For more information on our many types of socks, including no-show socks for warmer weather shoes, browse our spring selections.