WHY - and this is about health - are socks made as they are?

That sounds like a most uncomfortable condition, Allie. I have a number of 'diabetic' socks which just look like ordinary socks with a non-elastic top. If they looked like sacks, I wouldn't be wearing them.

anno if you know of really nonelastic top socks please tell me! Recently I've had some from Sainsbury's and some from Age Concern shop....but they aren't. Also, they shrink.

I used to be able to get BHS ones which were bright colours and just ribbed all the way up and they stayed up as well.
All those, I have worn out.

The catalogue that comes in the paper, or magazine tends to have diabetic socks. There was one in yesterday's daily mail.

I believe BHS are still available online, hope this helps.

Hi All, Have you tried Cosyfeet. They are online but do a small catalogue as well.Its for the wider foot but I buy their ankle socks and find them to be quite a loose fit. Get hubby 'diabetic socks' from them as well and he seems to like them.

I read somewhere that all socks sold are now made in China. Images of foot binding?!

I make my own with rather beautiful wool, often hand dyed. The downside is family members either snaffle or beg them off me. Knitting them is also meditative and relaxing (if you like knitting)...

These were made with Opal sock wool... not expensive....

Could I suggest you buy some men's socks as these seem to be done in various sizes more than women's do. To stop my socks becoming tight I always dry them naturally (never tumble dry) and pull them well into shape first. I buy mine from M&Co and they are very hard-wearing although still having elasticated tops they never feel tight. Have just looked at my DHs socks which he buys from Burton's and the tops of those don,t seem very tight fitting. As your GP has referred you, you may be prescribed support ones to help deal with the varicose veins in your feet. Do hope you find something comfy in the meanwhile.

I too am diabetic and buy pure wool socks without toe seam from a company called Cosy Feet. The socks are very good shape in a variety of sizes. Not cheap but worth every penny. Have a look online for them.

I will sometimes walk for miles checking that socks don't have that awful ridge of a seam over the toes. That really rubs and is unnecessary. I found some quite cheap, warm socks sold in our local supermarket in packs of 5, but without that horrible ridge across the toes. Very comfy and warm and they match everything.

It's never bothered me that the socks are at 120 degrees rather than the natural shape of 90 degrees. I thought they closed up to the 90 degrees when filled with feet. Perhaps you could avoid the problem by wearing very thin socks - two pairs together if it's cold?

Bamboo socks are lovely. They are very soft and hygienic.

Jacky the seams over the toes irritate me too. All my socks are plain black and noone notices if I wear them inside out.
I do try to buy seamless but don't like to waste ones I've been given!

"Bamboo socks are lovely. They are very soft and hygienic."
I was going to add that too, Jane43.
I bought some for my husband and he won't wear anything else now.
And they seem to be angled right.

I bought diabetic socks for my husband. He is not diabetic, but needs comfortable tops.
They fit very well and are not baggy at all.

I wear bamboo knickers & they are so comfy. I always used Sloggies but prefer bamboo ones. Must look on line for bamboo socks. Thankyou.

I have also just bought some gentle grip bamboo socks and they seem very soft. I have previously bought a different make of gentle grip socks and they are gently but maybe because of that, they do not last very long. I have only seen them online.

I have some M&S socks which are very soft and don't mark my ankles at all. However they are rather thin and soon wear out. I had an idea they contained silk, but there aren't any on their site, so this link might show something similar, as one of the reviews says they are not too tight.
www.marksandspencer.com/5-pair-pack-freshfeet-supersoft-socks-with-silver-technology/p/p60086880?image=SD_02_T60_7474B_Y0_X_EC_90&color=BLACK&prevPage=srp
Good luck with your search.

Thanks all. I can't run to £16 socks I'm afraid.... pensioner on a budget. But I've now been spurred on to impulse buys of two different kinds of socks and will let you know if they are any better than the others I mentioned before!

I've tried loads. Bamboo were much too big for my feet although nice otherwise. The best I've found were on eBay, Gentle Grip, the name is on the instep. They're the only 'soft tops' that really don't leave a ridge on my leg. Years ago I had some good ones with roll tops from John Lewis but I've not seen them since. Some from Henley on Thames street market only left a slight mark. I've written to M&S suggesting they stock some soft tops but to no avail.

I saw some bamboo socks in Aldi last week.

Shysal - maybe M&S did listen! I'll look for those. The assistants seemed to have no idea what I was asking for.
I've got loads of socks with the elastic snipped too.

Oops. They were about £4 for 5 pairs (I think - less than £1 a pair anyway I remember thinking.)

Elrel, they are the ones that I normally get (they have gentle grip written on the bottom) but I couldn't get my usual colour for some reason the other day so ordered the bamboo gentle grip ones.