Function Description:
Zock/Socket
I am attracted to fashion and design within that realm and that is what took me down this specific route for the project. In my research I was looking at fashion and realized lot of designers add additional aspects to most standard clothing. Some examples of recent seem to be excessive pockets/zippers/ belt loops on coats and pants. Another example would be pocketed t-shirts, designs, added ribbons, etc. But I realized that no one had experimented with the sock like they had other daily garments. To take a first step I added the basic pocket. I realized this was too simple but I didn’t have the materials or tools to continue my ideas, I was thinking about adding a thick string around the opening of the sock, again just for aesthetic value. I then created a sock with a zipper and interlocking velcro flap which is not only different aesthetically as it allows one to let the sock hang, but could also be catered to athletically as a convenience to athletes who wear tight, supportive athletic socks underneath cleats. Although in this project I was chasing after more of a fashion approach I figured that the sock could be implemented into a more nylon, dri-fit and spandex-based sock for performance. This would have to mean that the zipper is either made of a more comfortable fabric, or that it sits comfortable upon the sock without causing irritation to the foot underneath. Despite my initial thoughts, comfort was not a big issue.
I am attracted to fashion and design within that realm and that is what took me down this specific route for the project. In my research I was looking at fashion and realized lot of designers add additional aspects to most standard clothing. Some examples of recent seem to be excessive pockets/zippers/ belt loops on coats and pants. Another example would be pocketed t-shirts, designs, added ribbons, etc. But I realized that no one had experimented with the sock like they had other daily garments. To take a first step I added the basic pocket. I realized this was too simple but I didn’t have the materials or tools to continue my ideas, I was thinking about adding a thick string around the opening of the sock, again just for aesthetic value. I then created a sock with a zipper and interlocking velcro flap which is not only different aesthetically as it allows one to let the sock hang, but could also be catered to athletically as a convenience to athletes who wear tight, supportive athletic socks underneath cleats. Although in this project I was chasing after more of a fashion approach I figured that the sock could be implemented into a more nylon, dri-fit and spandex-based sock for performance. This would have to mean that the zipper is either made of a more comfortable fabric, or that it sits comfortable upon the sock without causing irritation to the foot underneath. Despite my initial thoughts, comfort was not a big issue.
Materials Description:
The reason I chose the pocket is that it seemed fitting- most other standard clothing are adorned with pockets, why should this be approached differently? So that was my initial thought and therefore first step. I chose felt as my fabric- although in an ideal situation this would not be the material, it was what I had on-hand and it was comfortable and sturdy enough to maintain integrity while being stitched together. I stitched the pocket together with a sewing machine in the shape of a U with a flap on top. Then, I turned the pocket inside out so that little to no thread was showing because It was not my most beautiful work. With the pocket created, I hand sewed the pocket interior to the sock and used fabric glue where stitching was iffy. From here I felt that I had not broken any real artistic boundary so I figured that adding a zipper to a sock would actually give the wearer the ability to choose how high he/she desired the sock. I personally like the floppy and excessive look the hanging fabric gives off, it is careless and delinquent in a sense. Although the tension generally keeps the zipper where you want it, I added a velcro tab at the top to give the optionality to lock it down- this would be necessary if this was produced for athletics. Although the materials are not perfect by a long shot, all the ideas are present and I think it evokes something different from me than the simple sock.
Aesthetic Description:
This product is intended to be comfortable but at the same time be a fashion statement, or, at least give the wearer optionality in the aesthetic he/she wishes to achieve with this outfit. This sock is likely "over the top" in the eyes of many and excessive in a sense as most other areas of the clothing on the body would give the wearer access to pockets. However I believe that this unlocks an additional region of the body where fashion can be employed for someone interested could pursue and develop style. The look the sock gives as I mentioned earlier, in my mind, is delinquent and careless when the sock is dropped down around the ankle, but this could also be for increased circulation during a hot summer day. I just found that this could branch out to achieve particular desires for the wearer in so many ways and although my design is relatively simple, it allows one to start thinking what the sock could be, could hold, could manifest as. I found this project fun to work on and have been considering different color ways this could be created in to reach different audiences. An all-black sock would be entirely different and less playful than my sock is portrayed. I found this project fun to work on and I remind you that the "sock" is simply a boundary that prevents friction between the wearer's foot and the shoe, I think that this is just the beginning of how it could be explored.
