In our most recent family episode, we talked a lot about feet...
Kippy even showed us his new Lulularoe Lemon Watermelon Sugar Socks. (That should have been behind the Patreon paywall...)
But it made us reminiscent about the sock trends of yesteryear. Because if there is a trend Dirtbags love, it's a trend that doesn't cost too much.
Here's
Like most of the folklore we discuss on AYG, maybe you know this trend from SEINFELD.
These socks were baggy, thick like a glass of milk, and meant to be bunched-up around your ankles. Maybe they were born as an afterthought of the 1980s "leg warmers" trend.
Also - often worn with business attire?
They really topped off an outfit with an "I'm a professional, but also so casual and down-to-earth..." look you really needed. And ain't that the antithesis of Are You Garbage?
This trend continued... way too long into the 1990s.
Tube socks rose to popularity in the late 1960s - called "tube socks" because they were literally a tube of fabric, with no heel sewn in. Not only did that make them more affordable, but like all good alt-trends, they were adopted by the Freaks 20 years later.
This photo above is Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam - which should say it all.
Often you'd layer a few pairs, and wore them almost exclusively with a boot, a ripped jean, or a pair of unseasonable shorts.
These bad boys were INTENDED for little girls going to church on Easter Sunday, and really glommed onto the adult market thereafter via the Sears catalog for the elderly and the 90s alt / grunge scene.
It was typically a white, thin sock, with lace or polyester frills along the cuff -- often with bows or pearls or ribbons or other accoutrements. They were almost ALWAYS folded down at least once to create the full aesthetic.
These were also famously worn by Elaine Benes, often with a Mary Jane shoe.
They're making a scary comeback in 2025/2026... Keep those piggies wrapped up, Dirtbags. Ain't no feet exposure for free in this economy.
So these have never gone OUT of style for Dirtbags... And credit where credit is due.
You almost definitely got these socks for Christmas [or insert other Winter Holiday] from your wife / mom / aunt / grandma / sister / a game of White Elephant, and you weren't MAD about it.
Whether it was Kenny from South Park or a character from the Marvel Universe, these socks really spice up an outfit. You put em on under your Levis and it's like a secret reminder of how freaking awesome you are. A little treat - just for you.
Pro-Tip: In the case of any sock-emergencies, you can get a solid pair at the Dollar Tree. It's probably going to be decorated with Tootsie Roll logo or Maruchen Ramen...
Pick me one up, while you're at it.
These trendy bad boys really made K-Marts a stack of cash in the 2000s.
Someone thought -- "Hey, what if we made socks, but they took about 7 minutes to put on, and they made your feet extra sweaty?"
They claim legitimate benefits such as "less friction" or "better alignment" and they do make technologically advanced, modern versions of them... But at what cost?
I'm sure they manufactured them in other designs, but I've only ever seen is the rainbow version above.
These are a staple for dads - and Kippy's gone on the record as a fan.
These are likely what you think of as regular socks, but the "Gold Toe" brand has been around "revolutionizing" sock technology since 1934.
The idea behind this sock trend is that the "gold toe" portion was reinforced in the toe box - because that's where the most friction occurs. Ie - you don't get as many holes.
We will say - they do make a damn good sock, and they're not just gold anymore.
Tuddy wears em for her diabetes.
These socks say A LOT about a white guy... Mainly they say you're a low-level drug dealer and you fu*k.
What an EASY and BREEZY way to let the world know you're an athlete - punctuated by your mesh basketball shorts and your Adidas slides from Marshalls.
They also say, you're not just a regular guy, but a COOL guy...
You're into the finer things in life, but you're not pretentious about it...
You do designer drugs funded by the dentist's office your dad owns, and you're not apologizing for it.
All of the above is negated if worn by any person of color.
Let us know in the comments.
While we don't currently have SOCKS for sale, Tuddy did put two of her favorite tees on sale...
24% off for the next 24 hours (starting 9/25/26)! That's the PRO FISHING tee and UNCLE HENRY'S MENSWEAR Tee.
As always, thank you, love youse - AYG
Uncle Henry's Menswear - a place for the larger gentleman.
This 100% heavyweight cotton tee is black with a small silhouette of Henry himself on the front, and the store's motto and graphic printed on the back.
