We've all been there: Christmas morning, all the greatest gifts under the tree — and then, amidst the sparkles and gadgets sits a pair of tube socks. Nobody wants them, and nobody wants to be the basic gift-giver who brought them. Yet they somehow show up, worse than coal.
One Seattle business is reimagining socks, delivering the most unique, sturdy, and highly requested footwear in the country. In just a little over a decade, The Sock Monster has become the most renowned such gift shop in the Pacific Northwest.
It's now a Seattle staple, a must-see as important as Pike Place Market or the Space Needle. Visitors from near and far flock to the unique store to get a look at the largest selection of socks in Washington state.
In its "sole," the Sock Monster is a women-run and women-supported business. It was first opened in 2010 by Holly Gummelt, a Seattle woman looking to spread her love of color and creativity. Gummelt always wanted to support local artisans and provide quality and ethically sourced goods to her community.
So for the last eleven years, the Sock Monster has provided a space for Seattle-based artists to showcase their work while also managing to only distribute products from factories that work hard to support fair-trade and sustainable practices.
In 2019 Gummelt stepped down as owner, making way for long-time manager Kelly Tremaine to step in. Tremaine continued Gummelt's goals of running an ethical and fair-trade business.
From its first days, the Sock Monster has also always been a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people, and Tremaine and Gummelt have actively voiced their support and pride in the community through the store's social media accounts.
When asked what she recommends as the perfect gift for the holiday season, Tremaine couldn't pick just one product. "Oh my gosh, there are so many things! We specialize in a million different socks!" she exclaimed. "We also offer organic wool socks, definitely something you don't find every day."
Tremaine did offer a recommendation, though: "Darn Tough wool socks. They come with an unconditional lifetime guarantee." While these socks tend to land on the more expensive side, they're worth it when you realize you'll never have to buy new ones again. "They change people's lives," Tremaine said. "If you ever get a hole in it, you can trade it in. They come in boot socks and ankle socks."
Sock Monster is so serious about these "life-changing" socks that they have dedicated a whole wall to them. For anyone into the outdoors, these are the perfect hiking, skiing, or just trudging-around-Seattle winter socks. Darn Tough socks also come in many different styles, including a Pride rainbow.
Tremaine mentioned Oooh Yeah as one of her favorite brands. "They have all kinds of fun ones: rainbow unicorns, flamingos, cats, cows, you name it." The brand features anything a shopper could be into, from celebrities like Bob Ross, TV shows like Stranger Things, and even a pair with grilled cheese on them! Oooh Yeah has also come out with a line of slippers called Oooh Geez, which are now available at the Sock Monster.
Socks aren't the only gifts you'll find at the Sock Monster, though. "We've also got hats and scarves and leggings," said Tremaine, "as well as enamel pins, stickers, and blind boxes."
If you want to go down in the holiday history books as the greatest gift giver in the family, take a trip to the Sock Monster. There's something for everyone. Nobody will be complaining about finding these socks under the tree!
Shop The Sock Monster at https://thesockmonster.com/
Gift guide
Gift guide
Darn Tough socks
Oooh Yeah! socks
For legs
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