Best bed socks for sublimely snug snoozing

The nights are getting longer and the winter breeze is beginning to bite which means dozy girl winter is officially upon us.

This is our annual cue to sheath ourselves in cloud-like duvets, blankets and throws, safely cocooned away from the bitter British chill.

You know the drill. Out come the long pyjamas and on goes the heating, with hot water bottles, hot chocolate and piping bubble baths at the ready. This well-rehearsed ritual is imperative for remaining as toasty as can be at all times. 

Many of us will pull out all the stops to combat the cold, but no matter how hard we try, there will always be the threat of cold feet to send shivers up our spine. For those who suffer from poor circulation, feet never seem to budge from near-glacial temperatures. Unless we resort to sleeping in a onesie, which let’s be honest is a far cry from chic, then our options for keeping our icy slabs at bay are limited.

Enter bed socks, the cashmere combatters of cold feet.

While regular socks have been in use since the prehistoric ages and have a storied history, the origins of bed socks are more opaque. 

During the 1940s, hand-knitting was at its peak in mid-war Britain. Women on the home front were encouraged to aid the war effort by knitting garments for troops, an act that was promoted as public duty. This was advertised at the time via the slogan "England expects – knit your bit,” catalysing the production of gloves, scarves and bed socks that were sent to the forces. The warmth that woollen garments provided was popular among civilians who faced fuel shortages and knitwear became a primary source of warmth during the war-struck period.

While we’re unsure if Stone Agers popped their trotters into socks before bed, we do know that bed socks have a chequered history. Socks and sandals are a big no-go according to most, and many believe the same about wearing socks to sleep in.

However, some experts believe that wearing bed socks is the answer to a plethora of nighttime troubles. A 2018 study found that participants who wore socks to bed fell asleep quicker, stayed asleep for longer and woke less often during the night than those who did not wear socks.

In 2021, pediatric resident doctor Jess Andrade shared a video on TikTok explaining that having frosty feet can interfere with healthy sleeping patterns. She said: “So wearing socks makes your feet feel warm and this opens up the blood vessels that cool the body down. The body being cool tells the brain that it is time for bed.” 

Wearing bed socks can also improve circulation and prevent dryness of the feet. Struggling with menopause? Bed socks can also prevent hot flashes from occurring. This is because your core body temperature rises before a hot flash, but keeping your feet warm helps to lower your temperature and counteract the menopausal heat loss.

So, not only are bed socks luxurious, but they also pose multiple health benefits for those who struggle with sleep. Hence the cosy accessories boast a clientele spanning Kaia Gerber, Hailey Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski and Elsa Hosk who have all taken to social media wearing their beloved bed socks.

Scroll on to uncover the best bed socks for regulating body heat and staying warm with the utmost luxury.

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