Let local boutiques sock it to you

Seattle's temperate autumns make sockless feet bearable. Yet to step out with bared peds ignores not only the precepts of cold prevention but the season's most inventive accessory. This fall, socks are speckled with flowers, polka dots and argyle prints. They sparkle in an array of metallic threads and circle the ankle or calf with ruffles and ribbons. These are socks that shout shamelessly: "Do you know how drab you are without me?"

The delightful socks from Japanese company Anitpast integrate feminine details like ruffled edges, dainty designs and lace knits with ultrasoft brushed wool. At A Mano downtown, Anitpast socks ($28-$34) pair perfectly with matching knit gloves ($88). Additionally, A Mano stocks geometric Pastec socks ($24) from Morocco, and the store has buckets and baskets brimming with various Cashmere-blend prismatic ankle socks ($8) and knee-highs ($12).

In Fremont, shoe shop Frankie flaunts its foot fetish with numerous shelves dedicated to socks. B.ella socks in every possible stripe and color come in cashmere, wool and cotton blends ($14-$35). Ozone's adorable new Cowboy Boots socks ($18) are outfitted with graphics that mimic a boot's stitching. And the Lisa B. line ($22) includes gorgeous turquoise argyle and dot prints that beg for rolled-up pant legs. If you prefer more subtle tactics, don adorable ankle socks with dainty ballet flats, or wear your knee-highs under boots and over fall's trendy leggings.

Men can also get in on the act. Kuhlman in Belltown has some very funky Fred Perry argyle socks ($23) that will jazz up even the dullest suit and, even more importantly, add some much-needed flair to Seattle's notorious (and unfortunate) sandals-with-socks combination.

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