Adventures in Food
Dinnerware tips from socks
Sock trend update: mismatches are in. Thank goodness! I know, I’m probably one of the few diligent sock watchers out there. But here’s the deal, with three school-aged squid-eaters around my house socks disappear and reappear on a regular basis. And despite my push that socks come in two colors–white and black, which are easy to mix and match, my kids go for socks with various designs, colors, sizes. Inevitably these socks come in packages with one pair of each design. Once you’ve lost one of the set, the other used to be doomed to either become a sock puppet or a dusting cloth.
No more–mismatched socks are all the rage right now. Watch any episode of iCarly to confirm that not only are clashing socks in, but mismatched patterns with clothes too. (Note to self: I was ahead of my time when I used to wear plaid shorts with striped shirts in middle school.)
So what does this have to do with your dinner table? Time to mix and match. Red plates, green, yellow, white, different patterns, sizes, use ‘em all in one setting. Especially when guests come over. Hey, even the experts at Fashion Week are calling clashing ‘in’: ‘Rainbow Colors: The New Neutral.’ Love it. Not that I’m a style-watcher (did you see the comment about middle school?!), but any excuse to let my kids get creative in the kitchen from the food prep, right down to the plate settings.
Your turn: Do you mix and match your place settings?















about 1 year ago
I don’t mix and match my place settings but I got a chuckle from your post because I had always corrected my sons for wearing a striped t-shirt with a plaid flannel shirt when they were younger, and now I find out that they were actually being fashion forward! LOL!
about 1 year ago
I do miss match my place setting only because we don’t really have dinner parties and if we do its usually and grill out and we use paper plates. We have alot of mismatched plates in the cabinet that we got from various places so that’s what we use!
about 1 year ago
Ha! Now, if only high water pants would be en vogue, I’d be set!
about 1 year ago
That’s great. See, I used to feel like the plates needed to match to look…well…done, but we’re having fun mixing things up.
about 1 year ago
Fun idea! One of the designers at Prez. Hall for the pre-Oysterfest party did a mix like you describe here.
about 1 year ago
Hey, I used to purposely wear socks of 2 different colors to school – whether it’s on your feet or on the table, it’s always fun to get creative!
about 1 year ago
I have tried to do this, but I think I just don’t have enough variety. The most I can seem to manage is to alternate place setting, napkins, goblets, etc.
about 1 year ago
This sounds like fun if you have enough dinnerware to make it work.
about 1 year ago
Fun connection.
When my three boys were young, they all had those white athletic socks with a thin colored stripe around the top. Black for Ken, Blue for Brent and Red for Mike. I don’t recall them ever mixing them, though they were otherwise creative.
about 1 year ago
Losing socks is something I never understood. Where do they go? Since I’m the only female in my house it’s impossible that anyone else is wearing them….yet…they go missing all the time, never to be seen again.
Cute connection you drew with the dinnerware/socks. We used to have Fiestaware, and it was fun setting each place in a different color. Now our stuff is the same old boring shade of green and white.
about 1 year ago
Nothing in my house matches any more. None of my glasses match. Okay I still have full sets of plates. But the flatware? Nope. I’m glad that I’m in, even if by accident.
about 1 year ago
Mismatched vintage teacups and tableware are also very in. I used to wear mismatched socks when I was a kid and wanted to dress like Punky Brewstser (remember that show?).
about 1 year ago
Did you like the look and feel?
about 1 year ago
My daughter often does the same–in case one gets wet
about 1 year ago
I found plates at Target on clearance in a bunch of different colors that I’m using now.
about 1 year ago
That’s a good idea to keep your kids’ sock straight. My kids usually have to fold their own laundry so I don’t have to wonder whose clothes belong where.
about 1 year ago
I know, where do they go? I’ve had several ‘favorite’ socks over the years that tend to become onlies.
about 1 year ago
My husband and I like different types of forks so we’re always mixing flatware.
about 1 year ago
I love Punky Brewster! Yes she never matched either.
about 1 year ago
Mix and match? To think that — for once — I am in fashion! Ahead of fashion, really, since I’ve been doing it inadvertently for years.
about 1 year ago
So glad to know I’m now officially in style.
about 1 year ago
Well, if working so hard you don’t have time to shower or comb your hair ever becomes the rage … I’m your girl.
about 1 year ago
Ok, that explains the mismatched socks I saw on a guy on one of the talk shows the other day. He’s in, I’m a fashion out. Story of my life.
about 1 year ago
I have been mixing and matching my kitchenware for years and love it! Also, all my registry items from my wedding (which I admit to barely using in the almost 19 years, but still!) are a combination of different plates that work lovely-ly together. I have never liked sets. Period!