There are many reasons not to splurge on toddler-sized socks. For one thing, children have freakish superhuman abilities to outgrow clothing items between the time you leave the store and when you pull into your driveway. Also, if your toddler is anything like the little anklebiter who lives in MY house, the socks will only stay on the feet if you use a staple gun (definitely not recommended by the Academy of Pediatrics) or if you wedge on some shoes, in which case…who cares what the flipping sock looks like? Let’s get some cute shoes instead.

On the other hand, some socks are just so beautifully crafted and warm and downright adorable, it just can’t be helped. The socks, they must be purchased.

We found these stripey socks at REI and I couldn’t resist. He’s worn one pair or another pretty much every day since then, under his shoes or briefly attached to his feet before they are flung at the back of my head, and they’re holding up nicely. Even after being wetly gnawed in the carseat on multiple occasions. And the part that sticks up over the shoe? Totally stylish. You know, as stylish as a clothing item can look on someone who routinely has scrambled eggs stuck to his pants.

Link: SmartWool Infant/Toddler Stripe Sock
Ballpark price: $15.95 for 2 pairs