I walked in the other night wearing my new socks from VIM & VIGR (<– affiliate link), and my teenager told me how much she liked them.  I knew that was a win.  Why?  These are more than just “cute socks”; they’re compression socks.

If you’re anything like me, when you think of “compression socks,” you think of ugly cheap-looking plain socks.  If you want solid-colored socks, VIM & VIGR has those, too.  But they also have this entire selection of fun, colorful socks in mostly-cotton and mostly-wool in addition to nylon.

Why might you want compression socks?  Most people are familiar with them for certain health conditions, like diabetes.  More and more people are struggling with chronic illnesses nowadays, and compression socks can be helpful with many of these, for those who have cold extremities due to poor circulation or mild postural blood pressure issues, etc.

But it isn’t only the ill who can benefit!  People who spend a lot of their time sitting (like bloggers!) can benefit.  They’re also excellent for travel — such as when you’re going to be on a train or an airplane for a large block of time.  Better circulation means a lower risk of blood clots, which is definitely a good thing.

Pregnant mamas may appreciate them to decrease swelling from the increased blood volume.

Please pardon my foot in the following picture (and the light that did weird things to my skin), but I wanted to point something out.  One person who reviewed these on the VIM & VIGR Facebook page complained that they aren’t small enough to fit someone who wears a size 5 shoe.  I don’t know if this person accidentally ordered a medium or what happened, but they should accommodate a smaller foot just fine.  I wear a size 6, and as you can see, the unstretched sock is well shorter than my foot.

Being compression socks, the “stretch” on these is super-tight/strong, so they don’t just stretch way out and stay “big.”  If anything, I would think someone with a foot near the upper end of the range might want to size up.

These would make a really unique gift for anyone in the categories mentioned above (bloggers, travelers, pregnant women, the chronically ill…)