I tend to get a lot of e-mails from vendors touting their products and advising me that they have the perfect whatever-it-is for the OTC reader.While there are a number of brands that have earned the OTC seal of endorsement, far more than you will ever know never made it past my desk. When Kemal from Viccel Socks first contacted me I was not sure what to expect. And when a short while later and red celphane wrapped brick of socks arrived at my door, I was ready for anything. As it turns out their focus is not on packaging, it's on making socks, and they make some damn good ones at that. (That being said, it wouldn't hurt to spruce up your product presentation a bit.)
At first glance, Viccel socks do not possess the flair and lifestyle marketing qualities that attract attention; and that is its hidden advantage. Because Viccel makes some great dress socks, in fact some of the most comfortable I've worn. They were kind enough to send me a selection of mid-calf and over the calf socks and I've been testing them out for a few weeks.
One of Viccel's big selling points is that, apart form a small amount of elastine in the ribbing at the top of the sock, they are 100% American mercerized pima cotton - absolutely no synthetics. this means that that socks breath much better than nylon-laced hosiery and naturally whisk moisture away from the foot. Even the elastine is separated from your skin as it is wrapped inside the cotton fibers.
Another hallmark of this Turkish company are the intensely vivid colors imparted by their Indantherene dyes, which is not affected by perspiration, meaning that under even the most rigorous use, these socks keep their original color. Indantherene dyes are also resistant to light, washing and chlorine. The bright red and pink socks they sent along will keep their colors for a long time - I just have to find the guts to wear them.
So, how did they do? Wonderfully. I especially like the over-the-calf socks and will definitely be getting more of those. The mid-calf length socks are just fine, though in my case they don't stay up quite as well. I wear them, and certainly recommend them, but if it's business socks you're looking for, the over-the-calfs are outstanding.
Viccel has a special offer for Off The Cuff readers: a 20% discount off their already reasonable prices. Please use THIS LINK to ensure that you receive the OTC discount.
Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHi Chris,
ReplyDeleteTake a look at their sock size chart and tell me if it makes sense to you. I _think_ it's telling me that I need to order a size 1/2 larger than my US shoe size, but I'm not sure. (That "+/-" thing bothers me...)
If they've explained it to you please share the info here, otherwise I'll contact them directly.
Thanks,
Michael B.
Just select your shoe size. No need to select larger or smaller size. There are size differences in shoe brands but Viccel Mercerized socks are naturally elastic without any synthetic and they can tolerate +1,-1 in US size system.
ReplyDeleteSocksMaster:
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing you're the maker? :)
Thanks for the info. Looking forward to them.
Best,
Michael B.
Yes I am, hope I could help you.
ReplyDeleteregards
Kemal
Hi Kemal,
ReplyDeletecongratulations: you have just found a new customer...i ordered three pairs of socks a few minutes ago...so much for the-world-of-mouth-marketing.
Regards,
Dennis
Indantherene, now that's a new word for my vocabulary. They sound great, but I require at least some degree of support or compression, so I will, sadly, have to pass.
ReplyDeleteAndy also recommended these. He said he "got" them from... You were much more up front about them being promotional samples.
I suspect the packaging is what they use for freebies and that what retailers would receive for marketing display are different.
I used to be associated with a high end shop that sold, among other things, some food items. What we received to put out as samples was always packed in a far more pedestrian way that what we placed on display for sale.
Chris is right we need to focus on packing. Its not about just quality of sample, if you google you can see many comments from Viccel users.
ReplyDeleteAmiable dispatch and this fill someone in on helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you as your information.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOur dark colors are indanthren dyed and they were indicated in the picture of colors.
ReplyDeleteThe comparison table can be found Viccel. Plese click Fadeless Color button.
Brim over I acquiesce in but I contemplate the collection should prepare more info then it has.
ReplyDeleteI just ordered four pairs (Charcoal, Scarlet Red, Turquoise and Purple). I look forward to them and will let everyone know how they work out!
ReplyDeleteI too ordered a few pairs, and have to say that I'm mostly pleased with the results.
ReplyDeleteI ordered a couple pairs of the Cotton OTC and one pair of the Wool/Silk OTC. They seemed a bit baggy in the feet at first, but once I washed and dried them once or twice they seemed to shrink to fit; somewhat. I don't remember if I ordered up a 1/2 size or not, but I still may consider ordering down a size next time. Otherwise, the socks are great!