If you are a parent of little kids, you have mismatch socks.  You may not know how it happens, you may have tried with all your might to avoid them, but there is no doubt that you have a mismatch sock problem.  You may have a bin you keep them in, or you may put the mismatch sock back in the dirty clothes hamper hoping it finds its mate through the laundry cosmos.  Either way, it is frustrating, and it is a real problem.  So, Dads of MDS please listen up as we are here to help you find a use for your mismatch sock conundrum.  We cannot solve the mystery as to why this is happening, but we can give you some creative outlets for them that may lessen the pain you feel when a brand-new pair comes up one sock short.  This post will provide you some practical outlets of what to do with your mismatch socks and give you encouragement to move on from the mismatch.  Don’t let the hope of finding a matching mate for your mismatch socks, keep you living your life!

The Mismatch Socks Trend

I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and it felt like only Punky Brewster was the only one wearing mismatch socks.  Fortunately, the fashion world has changed since my youth and mismatch socks are more acceptable now and even a fashion trend.  Amazon has several pages of mismatch socks options (buy mismatch socks through our Amazon affiliate link and MDS gets a portion of the sale). 

Amazon  has styles for Men, Women and Children.  I am completely down with buying mismatch socks for Men or Women, but children?  Come on, they will make their own.  Plus, if you bought mismatch socks for your kids and then they lost one of them (inevitable) what does that mean?  Is an orphaned mismatch sock, truly a mismatched sock?  We don’t have enough time to solve that question here, but certainly food for thought for another day.

This all said, it is certainly acceptable to wear mismatch socks in this day.  So, Dads, if you kids lose a sock, do not fret, they will lose another and then you will have your own pair of mismatch socks.  Just try to get them to be roughly the same size, so that the mismatch is in color/style and not coverage.  If you are like our family and you have a lot of mismatch socks that can be tricky to pair back up after a wash, think about putting an identical mark inside the mismatch ones that you want to match up (use sharpie or permanent pen for this to keep the identifying marks through the wash).  These marks will allow you to more easily sort them when doing the laundry.

Mismatch Socks Make Good Pet Toys

I remember when my Dad would complain about spending money on dog toys, when our dog (Labrador Retriever) really just wanted to chew on our socks for fun (my Dad had some other creative ideas, so keep that in mind).  So, if you have a dog consider using the mismatch sock orphan as a new dog toy.  Tie a knot in a longer sock and you have a ready-made dog toy.  You can also put a tennis ball in the toe of the sock and tie a knot trapping the ball inside, giving the toy a comet look.  This can make a great toy for fetch with the dog.

Cats may also dig a sock with a knot in it.  They may also like if you put a small bell in the toe of the sock and trap it in there with a knot.  A cat toy is ideal for the small socks that are often orphaned by kids under 10 years old.

Mismatch Sock Doll Clothes

Our daughters love to make their own clothes for their dolls.  They do this for stuffed animals and Barbie dolls.  Unfortunately, this has resulted in some decent clothes that have been casualties to our kid’s creativity (without asking).  To avoid losing any of your dress shirts to doll clothes, give your kids the mismatch sock orphans.  They can use these to make shirts, tube dresses, scarfs or hats for their dolls. 

Mismatch Sock Rags

Mismatch socks make great rags.  I know this is an unexciting option here as you are ultimately admitting defeat.  Cutting a sock into a rag is an uninspired solution, however, it may be needed.  Not only do kids lose things (like socks), but they also make messes.  Much like wet wipes for a baby, rags for a toddler are part of a Fathers toolbelt.  Consider turning these mismatch socks into a rag, as it is better to put it to use, then to just throw it away.

Other Mismatch Sock Ideas

Some other things you can do with mismatch socks that are self-explanatory:

• Fashion into a kid’s purse
• Make hand puppets out of them
• Make a ball or a stress ball for the kids to play with (rice makes for a good hacky sack)
• Stuff them and make them Christmas Ornaments
• Make pillows for a doll house
• Koozies for drinks – small socks work well for this and may also help inspire your kids to get you the beer from the fridge when you request it ; )
• Use for Ice Pack wraps (to keep the ice off the skin)
• DIY Potpourri holder
• Make kids mittens
• Glove liners

Don’t Let Perfect get in the Way of Good

I know we have orphan mismatch socks that have been in our “mismatch sock bin” for months now.  I am not sure what we are waiting for.  Clearly the partner sock is long gone.  It has moved on to another location outside of our house and is not at all eager to return.  But like the spurned lover, we are holding on to that orphan just hoping its partner appears like manna from heaven. 

So, learn from my malaise and move on from these socks.  You have options now.  Turn these mismatch socks into stress balls, dolls clothes or just pair them up with another and call it a day.  Having mismatch socks stare at you each laundry session when you don’t find their mate, is cruel and unnecessary punishment.