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Interview 1J: "Rather than pairing socks as they come out of the dryer, they are placed into the 'sock bag' (a blue IKEA) - and the children choose their socks themselves.  Sometimes they find a pair.  They do try to 'match' the two socks - size and colour.  I'm not sure it makes my life any easier - as they seem to spend ages searching, instead of getting dressed in the morning" 

[the-sockdrawer]

Our very own art collection socks are currently featured over on Vogue.com!  Stylist Kate Brien together with photographer David Kitz put together a gorgeous photo series.  Kate paired our socks with sandals from her own collection, which you may recognize from her blog View from the Topp.  Take a look!

[aagdolla]

Jesus socks

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Odd-socking as an Innovation in Practice

Since Actant's involvement in the 2005-6 ESRC project 'Designing and consuming: objects, practices and processes' directed by Prof E Shove, we've been fascinated by the potential of practice theory for innovation.  The skills, stories and stuff framework, which we now routinely use through our innovation projects, allows analysis of shifts in practice.

Throughout the infra-ordinary odd sock project we will be drawing on this framework.

[infra-ordinaries]

Soc(k)iology: making strange of socks

"A commodity appears at first sight an extremely obvious, trivial thing.  But its analysis brings out that it is a very strange thing, abounding with metaphysical subtleties and theological niceties" Marx’s Capital Vol 1

Socks are obvious and trivial.  The purpose of soc(k)iology is to make socks very strange things.  Through making socks strange we want to identify ways to make odd socking normal - perhaps...

Our starting point is to develop a set of initial research questions, for socks in general:

- how do we choose the socks that we wear?   Do we indeed, choose our socks - or do we just throw them on?  Do we ‘try on’ socks, stand in front of the mirror and ask ‘what (or who?) do I look like in these’?

- how do socks have to ‘fit’ with the other clothes that we wear? or are they a small and safe opportunity to disrupt ideas of ‘fit’ and co-ordination? what does it mean for socks to ‘go’?

- to what extent are the socks that we wear determined by social expectations and/or personal preference?  Are socks sites of individuality or conformity?

- when, how, why, where do we show or conceal our socks?  

- how are our socks organised and stored?  How are socks sorted and arranged within the home?  how can sock drawers be stratified (by frequency of wear, colour, occasion etc)

- how are socks, and the care of socks, shared within households?

- why are socks such popular gifts for men?  what is the relation between masculinity and socks?

- why are socks so readily fetishistic objects?

And then, for odd socking:

- what is the relation to ‘odd socking’ and the frequently time squeezed morning?   Does odd socking lend itself better to the weekend - than the hurried weekday morning?

- how is odd socking read by others? whilst we might want to say carefully selected and stylish socks, might it be read as careless, disorganised and scruffy?

- how visible must the oddness be? are you a ‘shower’ or a ‘knower’?

- how is ‘oddness’ configured?  what socks ‘go’ together? and which don’t?  put another way how odd is odd? materials, colour, length, style.

- is oddness driven by ease (grab the first two in my drawer) - or is it driven by an opportunity to reflect-on and express myself?

- what are the ‘sock careers’ of odd-sock practitioners?  how were they recruited? how has it become stabilised and normal?  what would returning to paired socks mean?

These are some of the questions that we think worth exploring in this project.  Do you have others?

[infra-ordinaries]

Two possible explanations here for oddness of boots - carelessness or personality.  Does it work conversely?  Does matching suggest both care and lack of personality?

Why might odd socks be thought of as 'careless'?  Perhaps it's particularly 'careful'?

If they're all about 'personality' - why socks, specifically?  What do socks say about personality, if anything?

[infra-ordinaries]

WANTED: ESTABLISHED PRACTITIONERS OF ODD SOCKING

Do you regularly or always wear 'odd' socks?  Have you been an odd sock practitioner for at least 1 year?

If so we want to hear from you. Please contact us at

[email protected]

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Sock it to 'Em J B - The Specials

Every project needs a Project Anthem

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Infra-Ordinary by Georges Perec