In 1971 Hot Sox launched in New York City with a collection of silkscreened bright opaque socks and the category of novelty footwear was born. Inspired by the hot pants trend, Founder Gary Wolkowitz determined stylish socks were the logical next step for a generation that embraced fun fashion. Though bellbottoms, 8-tracks, and lava lamps faded, Hot Sox has endured due to creative thinking and increasing consumer demand. On the heels of this success, Hot Sox took leg warmers off the ballerina, out of the studio, and into the mainstream with another inventive take on fashionable footwear.