Sock Dreams at Utilikilts
I ran away to Seattle Friday morning to see a sock rep
…and, to visit with Utilikilts!
We first saw a Utilikilt on a Trader Joe’s employee a few years ago and were instantly smitten. We asked him about it, where did it come from, how do you like it, ect… and were very impressed with the look, quality & functionality. You see, during my 11 years working at TJ’s I’d worn a skirt maybe once or twice, only on holidays when I wouldn’t be unloading any trucks or pallets. So to see a man working in one as if it were better than jeans was huge to us as we’d always felt men should be able to enjoy the same freedom women have experienced for years (nevermind historical data, we’re talking modern times here).
Fast forward to this past summer when we got this message:
Oh Ye Who Keep My Toes Toasty,
I have made several orders with you personally, and send many of my
customers (both male and female) to you as well. Our flagship retail
store is now open in Pioneer Square in Seatte, and we won’t just be
stocking kilts! I did as I was bade, and read the FAQ, and have seen
that you are currently not accepting wholesale accounts. However, I
wanted to ask if I could possibly change your mind! Kilts and good
socks go together like peas and carrots, and yours are the best I’ve
found. I’m highly interested in carrying your Sock Dreams label socks
in our store. I’d love to talk with you about this personally.
Thanks so much!
Jenneviere
Inamorata of Operations
The Utilikilts Company, LLC
www.utilikilts.com
If we were only going to do one wholesale account ever, this would be the one!
(no offense to the rest who have requested our socks, really, we love you all, but come on, Utilikilts!!!) So a deal was struck and as you see in the first picture our socks are hanging proudly with their belts, surrounded by tons of Utilikilts being sold by some of the sharpest sales people I’ve ever encountered. I even got the full tour of their warehouse around the corner…
It was an awesome day, they are located in my very favorite part of Seattle, if you go there you absolutely must visit! I highly recommend going by train, Amtrak can always use your support, and there is so much to do and see all within walking distance of the train station (which is still being renovated back to it’s original glory).
So, here’s to freedom, the freedom to wear what you enjoy and enjoy what you wear, the freedom to stand out from the crowd, the freedom to change the way people dress, and most of all, the freedom of choice, choose to be unique!
November 11th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
excellent beautiful excellent!
I first heard of utilikilts long long ago while watching a flea market documentary on PBS….i was enamored…to say the least….this was before i had cable, before i had a computer, before i had Jake….and then later later down the line i had all three and showed utilikilts to jake and he has been really in love with them (although i am searching on the male version of womens “in love with clothes”)…he has not yet taken the plunge but really really longs for one of his own….plus i think they are sexy as heck!
good times looks like dearest Ms Niq! xo
November 11th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
“enamored with them”. Works for me.
November 12th, 2007 at 4:12 am
Wow you’re such a lucky girl!! I’m a huge fan of utilikilts, they are SO sexy. Im glad you had such a fun trip!
November 12th, 2007 at 8:26 am
What fun!!
I’ve always been a big fan of guys in kilts :O)
Yay for everyone wearing what makes them feel happy!
What kinds of socks are those hanging up there? looks like some O’Marled, but what are the long black ones (super M?)
November 12th, 2007 at 8:42 am
They have a ribbed marl that we did just for them, ribbed Ms are the black ones, diamond ribs and slouches.
And remember that storefront I fell in love with there a few years back?
It’s just a few blocks from them…
November 12th, 2007 at 10:25 am
How amazing! Two of my favorite things on the planet, in the same place. I think I’m going to have to add more reasons to the list in petitioning for a trip up that way, granted it will be far in the future, but it is a must!
November 12th, 2007 at 11:22 am
I’ve been meaning to ask you if you have ever considered vending at a science fiction convention before. The Utilikilt guys come to DragonCon in Atlanta every year, and they seem to sell out of everything (or nearly so) every year as well. A Sock Dreams booth would be incredibly popular there.
November 12th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
How wonderful! Please tell me you ordered one for Bsti while you where there. There’s nothing like watching men drop trou in the middle of their store! My hubby has a Utilikilt but doesn’t wear it nearly often enough for my taste! I’m hoping someday he’ll understand how damn sexy those kilts are. And maybe he’ll let me buy him some of your socks to go with that kilt, now that Utilikilts is carrying them he can’t keep telling me they won’t look right!
Here’s wishing you a long and happy relationship with your new account!
November 12th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
OMFG AWESOME! :D
November 12th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Oh, yes, I would have to second T-Rex’s suggestion. DragonCon isn’t just a sci-fi, but a fantasy convention as well. I went down to it a couple years ago and it was pretty neat–everything from celtic bands to Klingons. Atlanta is a bit far to go for a convention, but I’m fairly certain it is the largest sci-fi or fantasy convention in the southeastern U.S.
I agree with Rex that Sock Dreams would be very popular with the DragonCon crowd, and if you bring anything sporting skulls the Dawn look-a-like contestants just may mob your booth :).
November 12th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
Hey, Piperlou! Thanks for backing me up. :-)
I’m the director for the smaller exhibit hall at DragonCon. My convention experience would be infinitely better if I could come by and fondle your merchandise on my rounds. So my motives aren’t entirely selfless, you see.
DragonCon is *huge*. There may be bigger cons in the country (like San Diego ComiCon, maybe?) but Dragon is the largest multimedia con. (Meaning, they have TV, movies, comics, gaming, etc. rather than just a single focus.) It can be fun when it isn’t overwhelming.
November 12th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
The phrase “the freedom to wear what you enjoy and enjoy what you wear” was so wonderfully inspiring! I long for the day that men can wear whatever they please without judgement (and women too, btw, as a revealing dress is still, to some, an invitation/justification for sexual harassement and worse…). I recall a few months back (I believe when the Foot Traffic lacy trouser socks came out) a guy posted something along “you ladies are so lucky that you can wear such nice sexy things openly” and that still makes me sad… I want to say “Get over it, wear whatever you want and the hell with people’s stuffy opinions!” Then again, this is easier said than done. And social rejection can be just as upsetting as having to restrict one’s attire to avoid said rejection. On the other hand, change often requires casualties. Eventually you just have to refuse to move to the back of the bus. And go ahead and wear those stockings. Or that kilt. Because it’s comfy and functional and CUTE!
Phew. There. I feel better.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:17 am
I so want my hubby to wear a black Utilikilt now… but I don’t think he’d go for it. :-(
November 13th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Off topic here, but more Diamond Ribs!! I’m so excited! Ever since my boyfriend bought me a pair I haven’t been able to let go of them. They’re like big, soft sweaters for my feet! Quick question though: what shade are the bordeaux socks? It looks orangey-red, but I always thought bordeaux was a purpley-red, wine-ish color. Either way I will have to have a pair, of course, I’m just curious how close they would be to the red ones.
November 13th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Another thing: my boyfriend wears men’s size 11-12 shoes and he was able to wear my Diamond Ribs more easily than some of the men’s socks on here. I know it only lists them as going up to size 10, but there is MUCH more give to these socks.
And Kay, I totally understand how you feel. My boyfriend would never even consider a kilt, even though I’m positive he would love the extra room. It’s some sort of illogical macho man thing, I’m sure.
November 13th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
I don’t think it’s a macho thing with my hubby… not quite sure what it is though.
November 13th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
OMG OMG I AM SOOOOO DELIRIOUS WITH JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for the off topic post but I simply can’t contain myself. I just received the Hot Sox solid thigh highs in black and brown and in my opinion they are PURRRRFECT!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely perfect! They’re a sock dream come true for me! The brown looked a bit light on my screen, but it turned out to be a wonderful nice rich brown. Get a pair before they run out…
November 13th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
The bordeaux Diamond Ribs remind me a lot of the pomegranate O Yummies! I wouldn’t quite call it orangey, but it is a bit more orange than our regular dark red Dream Stockings. :)
And I can’t WAIT till we get in the remaining few colors. They are absolutely gorgeous.
November 13th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Is there any ETA on when the Hot Sox flat knit OTKs might be restocked?
Thanks! :)
November 13th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
the diamond ribs are one of my all time favorite socks….they are gorgeous…really really lovely….and i usually go black….but i love LOVE some neutral shades….like the FAWN OMARLED which are crazy sexy….and i bought a couple of the other colors and its not the same sexy….but anyway the tan color in these diamond ribs is the same sexy to me.
really love these socks …….
November 13th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
We had sooo much fun shooting the new colors out in the field today, we want to do a journal post, I was going to give the Utilikilts post another day or so up, then let Liz & Amanda do the review but now that I’ve uploaded my images I’m really eager to get one up, maybe, just maybe, but I still have a bunch of my images to edit first (Liz & I both went out equipped with Canons). I’m wearing the black ribbed diamonds now. They are indeed very roomy, we just get scared to make too many promises for larger fitting socks sometimes.
…and, all we know about the Hot Sox order right now is that it is on its way.
So it should arrive any day, but we do not know for sure how much of what I ordered is actually in it. The delay from Hot Sox is that they moved their warehouse & it put everything back by several weeks.
November 13th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
oooh, I almost forgot, we’ll give some thought to Dragon Con, we’re honestly not much into outside events, but it’s a long weays off so we have time to plan it if we do…
November 14th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Oh no! Those adorable buttoned leg warmers are out of stock already! Went to pick up the blue ones yesterday and they’re all out of stock. Soooo cute they were.
November 14th, 2007 at 10:55 am
We *hope* to get more, LOTS MORE, but as of 10:55 this morning our order has yet to arrive so we still don’t know if they’re included.
November 14th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
I ***LOVE*** the button up leg warmers!!! They’re fantastic! =) I’m so glad I got two pairs. It’s funny, because I am not much of cool colors person, I mostly wear and am attracted to either black or grey or warm colors, but when I saw the blue in those button up warmers, I just fell in love with them, something about them. And most certainly, they are indeed quite pleasing, I do love them, and can’t wait to wear them tomorrow.
And, the Harajuku Arm Warmers, also fantastic.
November 15th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
yes me too !!!! i usually choose black but i got the blue buttons too and gosh do i love them….arent the buttons yummy….they are like candies!!!!!! the blue is so nice too! and they are so fluffy soft! happy happy happy i got a pair!
November 15th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
WOW. Sorry I didnt get this up sooner, but I was soooooo excited to see Utilikilts with you that I nearly popped a gasket. My favorite comic strip in the world, Dykes To Watch Out For ( http://www.dykestowatchoutfor.com ) has a character named Stewart who is an awesomely “soft butch” man, partnered with a “bi-dyke” and the coolest stay-at-home dad ever. A couple years ago his housemates gave him a Utilikilt for Yule, and he wears it all the time, looking imposibly cool and great. So began my lust for Utilikilts. When will the rest of guys realise how sexy they are in kilts? Anyway, SockDreams, you ROCK!!!
November 15th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Nikqita,
Well, it’s about time… Glad to see that you finally made it up there… And, to imagine that one of the reasons why UK contacted you was because when I worked there, I handed out a few of your business cards to my coworkers…
Anyway, is your boyfriend kilted yet? Unfortunately, my last Utilikilt died a month ago. So, I’ve switched back to wearing my traditional kilts…
-John
P.S. noticed that the Super Stripes knee highs don’t seem to have as many color choices as they used to. Will that be fixed in the future?
November 16th, 2007 at 5:41 am
Will you be restocking the black EG Smith bigger better tights? They have been marked out of stock for a long time now, and I tried emailing to find out the answer to this question but I never received a reply.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:37 am
We’re trying to! When EG switched their license earlier this year that company decided not to continue with them so we put in an order for a private line of them, then, with much convincing the new licensee decided to go ahead and bring them back, we’ve yet to receive our orders from either, but it will happen, we just don’t have a date for it yet…
BTW we attempt to answer all legitimate questions so if you didn’t get a reply from us either your email address was incomplete or your spam filtering blocked us.
November 16th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Bindweed, I love DtWOF! Such a smart and funny comic!
November 20th, 2007 at 10:41 am
John~ we will actually be adding more colors to those soon, er, after the holidaze, and two foot sizes too!
…and Mr Natosi has a birthday coming up, let’s not spoil any surprises here okay? ~;)
PS Thanks for helping to spread the word!!!!!!!!!!
December 18th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Ahhh! How wonderful! I adore Utilikilts… on wonderfully geeky men, so my ex-boyfriend got one as a gift. Unfortunately, my current beau doesn’t see the appeal quite as much. Ah… c’est la vie!
But, I am ecstatic that Sock Dreams has teamed up with Utilikilt. :) Tres bon!