Where are these socks made?
I am so grateful to be working with very talented, kind people at a wonderful mill in Catawba County, North Carolina (a state that is home to much of what is left of America's hosiery industry). My socks were originally developed and knit in the last remaining knitting mill in my hometown of Reading, PA, until it was closed by its new owners in 2018 –– I will always be indebted to the generous, talented people there, who made these socks possible.
Above: Terry, the sock genius –– and friend –– who helped develop THIS NIGHT socks in Reading, PA
How soon will they ship?
They will ship in 1–2 business days.
What do the socks feel like?
They are very soft and "hug" your feet and are what I consider the perfect weight –– they fit into dress shoes but are still substantial.
What is the fiber content of the socks?
The socks are 81% cotton (US-grown, soft ringspun cotton), with 16% nylon and 3% lycra for the plaiting (this undergirds the cotton and gives the socks their stretch and resilience, allowing them to keep that "fresh pair," cozy feeling).
Why aren't your socks 100% cotton?
Because very few people would want to wear them! Before I made socks myself, I was always looking for 100% cotton socks (so I understand this desire well!), but once I learned more about how socks are manufactured and the technical aspects of socks, I became aware that there needs to be a bit of stretch in the plaiting (what undergirds the cotton yarn) so that the socks keep their shape and have resilience. Before the advent of nylon and lycra (which comprises the plaiting yarn used in THIS NIGHT socks), people wore sock garters to keep their socks up, and socks were also more precisely sized. True 100% cotton socks are very rare (most socks that say they are 100% cotton are not being accurate –– if they are stretchy at all, they likely contain fibers other than cotton) and are almost always ribbed.
Should I order M/L or S/M socks?
S/M socks fit women's shoe sizes 4 to 10½ and men's shoe sizes 5 to 9. (And they really do fit both ends of the spectrum properly –– my mom is a 10½ and wears the S/M comfortably, and I have many repeat small-footed customers!) M/L socks fit men's shoe sizes 7 to 13 and women's shoe sizes 8½ and up. The M/L sizes also have a slightly wider band and are about 2 inches taller. If you are a shoe size that could fit both sizes, I would suggest ordering based on height preference. (As a women's size 9 shoe, I typically wear the S/M size unless I am wearing cropped pants and would like more leg coverage.)
Below you can see women's size-9 feet wearing one of each (S/M on left and M/L on right).
I wear a men's size 14 shoe –– will the M/L socks fit, or should I order the XL size?
Men wearing size 14 shoes have reported that, yes, these socks do fit. (Please note that if you wear a men's shoe size 11 or larger, do not order KYOTO, as this style does not stretch as much as the others because of the nature of the pattern.) You may also want to order the XL size, which fits men's shoe sizes 14 to 18.
What are the care instructions for the socks?
I wash them in cold water (since they are colorful cotton) and dry on medium.
Why is the name of the company THIS NIGHT? Why is the Big Dipper the logo?
The name THIS NIGHT comes from a tenth-century Japanese poem that I especially love:
If only I could show them to someone who knows, this moon, these flowers, this night that should not be wasted. –– Minamoto Nobuakira
(quoted in The Tale of Genji by Muraski Shikibu, trans. by Edward G. Seidensticker)
I lived in Japan for a year right after college and continue to be inspired by the colors and patterns of Japan, so THIS NIGHT felt like the right name. Socks are also a little, beautiful detail you share with people, like the moon and flowers in the poem. The Big Dipper, the logo of THIS NIGHT (which is also on the paper band around the socks) has always been my favorite constellation because I can always find it –– it's like an old friend in the sky.
In the checkout section, I ask if you would like an info. card (which tells a bit about where the socks are made, etc.) –– the front of the card looks like this (and has the poem on it):
What if the socks are a gift for someone?
Please write a gift message in the Notes section during checkout, and I will handwrite a nice gift card (and not include an invoice).
Do you sell them in person?
Yes, for many years I sold them at the Brooklyn Flea, under the Dumbo arch. (Perhaps you bought them from me there once, forgot the name, and are now googling socks + made in USA + Dumbo –– I hope that might lead you to THIS NIGHT socks!) I also have sold them at the Union Square and Columbus Circle Holiday Markets as well as at the Grand Central Holiday Fair.
Do you sell the socks wholesale?
Yes, please email hello@this-night.com if you are interested in carrying them in your store.
Has THIS NIGHT done any collaborations?
Yes, THIS NIGHT had the wonderful experience of collaborating with the Whitney Museum of American Art twice on socks based on art from its permanent collection.
I hear that Reading, PA, is the self-proclaimed Pretzel Capital of the World –– any recommendations?
Yes! My favorite pretzels ("Splits") are from the Unique Pretzel Bakery (and are available in stores nationwide). My favorite chocolate-covered pretzels ("Little Ones") are from Tom Sturgis Bakery.