Need socks? Try the dollar store

I have always been leery of buying from the dollar store when it comes to clothing but I have learned that there are some articles of clothing that are more than worth it. Socks, for instance. Next to the color and style of sock I choose, I ask only one other thing of my socks and that is that they stay up. That means they should have enough Lycra or spandex in them to do that job properly. Ultra soft socks seem to be a big thing lately and dollar stores have 'em for women and kids in a rainbow of colors. They are made of 95% acrylic and 5% spandex. I have three pair or these socks and they are warm, comfortable and wash well. I checked prices at my local Sears and another department store. Sears sells the Columbia brand in these socks that are 98% polyester and 2% spandex. The cost - $12.00 a pair and, by the way, they were made in Taiwan. At another local department store, ultra soft socks come in packages of two pair for $4.97. That's still almost $2.50 per pair as compared to $1 a pair at the dollar store.

I've also bought and liked the sport socks from the dollar store and the men's dress socks for a buck a pair are very good quality, too. And why pay more than a buck for baby or kids socks? Dollar stores also have tights for little girls, great for helping to keep little legs warm this fall and winter.

I don't wear pantyhose much any more but I think $1 is plenty to pay for something that often gets snagged during the day, as opposed to say $4.66 for Secret pantyhose at Wal-mart. My dollar store has nylon knee highs, stay-ups, footies and everything in between.

Marlene Alexander is a freelance writer and dollar store diva. She writes tips and ideas on decorating using only items from the dollar store.