Survey finds to give the top gift: sock it to ’em

The most-gifted piece of apparel during the holidays? Sweaters? Nope. Scarves? No. Ties or hats? Not those either.

Socks. The dowdy necessity long regarded as one of the most boring gifts ever, is suddenly cool.

Sales of socks — particularly funky, patterned, novel varieties — are on the upswing, as more Americans look to express themselves through their footwear, according to market research firm NPD Group. And as the holidays near, retailers said we’re approaching peak buying season: Roughly 20 percent of sock purchases take place in December.

“There are no rules anymore: Color explosions, crazy themes, patterns without any rhyme or reason,” said Gary Henkin, senior vice president of global sales at Polo Ralph Lauren Hosiery, which includes the popular brand Hot Sox. “Socks have become the ultimate impulse buy.”

A decade ago, he said, men might have looked to unique ties to express their personalities. But as business-casual becomes the norm in the workplace — and athletic-inspired loungewear takes hold everywhere else — people are increasingly turning to socks to make a statement.

More than 253 million pairs of socks were bought as presents last holiday season, outperforming shirts, sleepwear and sweaters, according to data from the NPD group. And many retailers said this holiday season is shaping up to be the busiest one yet for sock sales.

One of the company’s best-selling lines, by Blue Q, comes adorned with sayings like “Duchess of Sassytown” and “Well, this sucks,” as well as more profanity-laced designs.