The Sock Shack

We almost passed this little store by on our trip into downtown Portland, but that would have been a mistake. For under $ 10, you can find just about any design you can think of on a pair of socks. If you want to make your feet awesome, you need to stop by the Sock Shack.

my favorite store in Maine. no question.
need to start carrying Celeste Stein compression socks! please!

I was standing in the TSA security line at the Portland Jetport. The girl in front of me removed her shoes, put them in a bin, and I was instantly in love with her socks which were decorated with smiling pugs wearing Santa hats.
So I said, «Your socks are amazing!»
Her: «Yeah? I think they’re cool, too! I got them while visiting friends in Portland.»
Me: «Oh, if you like socks, the next time you’re in Portland you should DEFINITELY check out the Sock Shack on Congress St.!»
Her: «OHMAHGERD, THAT’S WHERE I GOT THESE!»
And that, folks, is the power of a good pair of socks. Making instant relationships and bridging gaps since… I don’t know, whenever socks were created (my internet research says that happened in 8^th century Greece, but you can’t believe everything you read on the webz).
While my significant other loathes funny, interesting, or different socks, I don’t. I love them. I always have — I blame this on Punky Brewster who inspired me to always wear two different socks. I think they’re positively brilliant, a talking piece, and a great way to creatively show off your likes and personality (like a tattoo, but without the permanency) secretly or not so secretly — isn’t there something so empowering about working at a traditional office, and underneath that three piece suit you’r rocking a pair of avocado socks? I think yes!
The Sock Shack has it all. In such a small space they’ve packed an enormous amount of variety. Different lengths, colors, patterns, images, styles — you name it. If you like socks or tights, Frida Kahlo or generic stripes, knee-​highs or ankle length… you’re gonna find it here. And the people are darn nice to boot!

I was truly impressed at the selection of styles and colors available. I got some fancy socks for my husband with an anatomically accurate heart on them, and he loved them. Will definitely return when I’m in the neighborhood.

Who doesn’t love fun socks? I like buying them as a small gift when I want to give someone a little treat. The Sock Shack has lots of great warm cozy socks, but I go there for the novelty socks. My friend is a librarian who loves cats, and I found socks with cats reading books. She loved them! I got avocado socks for my sis and her hubby, alien socks for my Ancient Aliens obsessed friend, sheep socks for my mom who knits, and yellow-​eyed tuxedo cat socks for my roommate, who has a tuxedo cat with yellow eyes. Everyone was psyched about their new socks! The owner is a really nice lady and I hope her store does well in the new location on Congress St.

One can never have enough socks and this place is heaven! Socks of every type and stripe… including locally inspired socks with cute lobsters on them. I was thrilled to find pygmy goat socks (for me, not the goats). All sorts of patterns and novelty socks in women’s, men’s and kids’ sizes. What a great place to pick up small gifts for friends, family, yourself!