One Sock, Two Sock, Red Sock, Blue Sock

I haven't always worn tall socks. They've kind of grown on me recently though. Since I started accessorizing - breeches with belts, breeches that match my dressage pad, breeches with a coordinating top ... I started taking an interest in socks.

Long ago, I learned the trick of buying socks in bulk so that when one gets a hole in the toe (mine never get holes in the heels), I toss the worn out sock and stash the one that is perfectly good. Eventually, another sock gets a hole in it, so it gets tossed out while its mate pairs up with the previously stashed sock. In this way, my socks last a lot longer.

I have millions of these ...

The thing with tall socks is that they don't really come in multi-packs of white which is fine because the fun in wearing tall socks is that they come in all kinds of patterns and colors. Even so, I've learned to buy my tall socks in sets of two. If I buy the exact same sock in several colors, they feel exactly the same no matter which two colors I am wearing. I should note that as a general rule, I do wear matching socks until forced to pair them for longevity.

Cheapos from Target

Both of these pairs of socks have been "rematched." My husband teases me when I wear the orange/purple pair, but I just laugh and I tell him I used to have another pair just like them. The gray pair don't get a reaction. Both of these pair are on their "last legs," but since they came from the same collection, that orange one should pair okay with the gray one.   

Noble Outfitters "Over the Calf Peddies"

I bought two pair of these Noble Outfitters just so they'd have mates when the toes wear out. These have proven to be pretty hardy though, and I feel like the calf might quit before the toes will. I have another pair in purple. I hope I don't have to wear one of those with the cheetah print.

Under Armour "Anniversary Knee High" sock

I bought these two pair of Under Armour socks from SmartPak before we went on vacation. When one gets a hole in the toe, it will get stashed in the back of my drawer as it waits to be reunited with the other blue one. I wouldn't buy them again though as they aren't stretchy enough for my liking.

Am I the only one with a strategy for making my socks last? How many pair do you have? I have two pair of Ovation Zocks (solid colors) on the way, but I know I need more, but how many more? What's your current tall sock count?