Sock dresses and the anger they seem to generate.

People have been called cheap or lazy for making "simple" sock dresses (toe cut off). The dolls have been put down as devalued, cheap, tacky, etc.

Don't get me wrong! Everybody is certainly entitled to their own opinion. If you think sock dresses are X, that's fine! Goodness knows I have my own opinion on all kinds of clothes. But the underlying current of "you and your doll suck because you're using a sock dress" is ruffling my feathers. You can think whatever you like. But the owner's opinion supersedes yours.

On the flipside those owning sock dresses need to be aware that 1) everybody has a different opinion, and 2) this is the internet. By posting your pictures here you open up a whole world of different responses. You might be very proud of your first sock dress. But others might not be kind.

 

I think people have the right to do whatever they wish to their dolls, whether it be modding, tattoos, face ups or clothing. Don't comment if sock dresses upset you, it's not your doll.

 

The first of all, it's your own doll and I completely support however you chose to enjoy it so long as nothing living (family members, pets, etc.) are suffering as a result of your enjoyment.

Second, I'm of two minds about sock dresses. I find that a brand new sock cut cleanly or finished nicely makes an acceptable first doll outfit, or even an acceptable second outfit, or cute holiday theme outfit. I'm almost 8 years in and my dolls all have a few sock clothes made from holiday theme socks. I'll admit these sock clothes are cheap and even a bit lazy, but I would much rather spend $1 and 5 minutes to make a holiday theme outfit that they will wear maybe twice, than put the time, money and effort into a more elaborate costume that they will wear once a year if I remember I even have it.

On the other hand, I do raise an eyebrow when some one is 4 or 5 dolls in and ALL their clothes are noticibly socks with the toe cut off. I certainly won't make any comments, since it really has no bearing on my life other than a brief flash of "why?" But it does make me wonder why some one would choose to collect these dolls in the first place if all they are planning to do is dress them in dollar store, three snip, sock dresses. I personally have bought my dolls in order to dress them in the clothes I cannot wear on a daily basis, and I have noticed that most other collectors are of a similar mind. So sock dress after sock dress sort of confuses me.

I certainly don't care what people do with their dolls. If you want to smash your Sard with a hammer and glue him back together with gorilla glue, I certainly won't stop you. (If asked for advise about such process I probably will give you my opinion on the matter.) A multitude of sock dresses will make me raise an eyebrow, but I won't click out of a photoshoot just because of socks, and if I see something I like I will even make positive comments about that shoot!

TL;DR: I care, but not enough to really care.

 

hahaha! That would be so easy and super lazy!

Opinions are generally biased. ^_^
Although he can't be wrong, I also disagree with him.
And I still think it's elitist, maybe not literally elitism more like just a snob.
Your looking down at dolls and their owners in poor man clothes, it's not just a matter of liking or not liking. You won't look at their pictures and you might not even talk to these poor man sock dessed doll owners.
There's always nice ways to comment on peoples photos or dolls without sounding like an elitistjerk.
Not everyone can be a champion, but that doesn't make the people who didn't "try as hard" less worthy of noting that they did give it a try. Even if that try is just cutting off a toe.
Not everyone can have the "ImakedolldressesbetterthanthatwhenIwassix" skills. ok.
IT's back to the 'you gota start somewhere' point.

Very rude to assume everyone who does "this" is "that"

 

Girl, this outfit is stunning.

 

- Do you have an aversion to sock dresses?
The only issue I see is that they can look really sloppy. I think if someone can bring something new to sock dresses, instead of a standard tube top dress, then go for it.

- Do you think it makes a doll less of a doll when it doesn't have what the average owner calls proper clothing?
A doll is a creative outlet. How would a doll become less like a doll if it didn't have the proper clothing? Replace Doll with the word Human and it makes more sense. A doll is a doll. It doesnt matter what it wears. You can make a doll look more human, but you cant make the doll look less doll. (Unless you prove me wrong; Im open to change)

- Do you think less of the owner when they choose to either have a temporary sockdress or a permanent sock dress?
I dont like to think less of anyone really because of what they wear. A permanent sock dress shows that the owner has A. Done nothing to create a unique doll, and b. They just dont have the money. I'm trying to see it from different views.

- Let me now how you feel about sock dresses in general
In general, Let them dress what they want the doll to be dressed like. If the owner chooses to let their doll wear the sock dress then good.

 

Well, I can speak from personal experience as my first boy did have to wander around in a fingerless glove for the first few months- but that was because, being my first doll, I had no real measurements to go by so I couldn't even start making clothes until I got him xD (And, I didn't have a sewing machine yet... that worked o__e).

I can fully understand that people really don't have the resources to shell out for a doll's clothes, since buying the doll itself is a bank-breaker.
I do agree that I like seeing some effort put into the sock and not just some dingy, hem-shredded thing you pulled out of a rag bag being shoved on the doll like a potato sack with the intention of it being the equivalent of an 80$ DollHeart outfit. But, at the same time, maybe that's the look they're going for? xD;

Buuuut then again, it seems more like someone who does that (and, in this case let's say ALL their dolls wear potato sack sock dresses) is more concerned with just getting the doll than really customizing them.

Er... well, all in all, I guess I can say that sock dresses CAN look REALLY awesome with very little effort- and I also have to say that homemade clothes are much more unique than the stuff "anyone" can get. OOAK clothing made by the owner really adds something to the personalization of the doll I think.

As such, I've gone through 5 trial and errors and counting trying to get that personalization for my own dolls :

 

Sock dresses aren't just for poor people.

They're for anyone - me, not included.

Sure, I could've taken the easy way out, and not paid for a $12 dress, and a $12 pair of shoes for Emma - yeah, I could've saved something like $30. But I wanted my doll to look decent, so I waited a little more to afford at least one outfit she could get by in.

In this thread, I did see a lot of really nice sock outfits, but most people are equating (and this has been said by me, and others):

sock dress = all-encompassing tube outfit
- not -
sock dress = fashionable outfit made from said sock

Sure sock dresses are good for box openings, or instances where you want to preserve the doll's 'modesty', while sewing, or something (because sock dresses do seem like they'd come in handy for certain things), but if that's all you have, there are a lot of inexpensive, simple items you can buy. Dollmore for one, has a lot of stuff for any occasion. I love their stuff.

I also urge you to try sewing - just try it and see. Not saying if you have no machine, to go out and buy one - but if you have a friend or family member who does, ask them to show you the basics. I never knew how to sew, but to save some cash, I wanted to try it, since so many BJD owners did - and I didn't want the sock dress...

And after a little while, you'll find it gets easier with practice. Granted, I've made countless pairs of pants from the same fabric... but it does get easier.

 

Pretty rude to assume that people who simply hit the back button without commenting on a gallery post would also automatically shun people who have their dolls in sock dresses, too. That IS assuming everyone who does "this" is "that".

More generally, there are more options than "sock dress" and "expensive clothes". There are more options than learning to sew or buying expensive clothes. If there's all this hating on sock dresses going on somewhere that I haven't seen (because honestly I've only ever read a couple of off-hand comments, not in gallery/box opening threads, and that wasn't even this year I don't think, nor was it directly TO anyone with a sock dress), it may just be the same kind of "too many of x" comments/threads you see where x = Volks dolls, stylized dolls, girly boys, goth clothes, vamp dolls etc. People can get tired of seeing the same thing repeatedly, especially when they don't like it. I honestly haven't seen a dreaded sock dress in a post in a very long time, so I'm not sure that either the hate or the dresses are really a big thing anymore.

 

I guess I'm just not understanding how anyone can gague the effort put into a doll's clothing, wig, make-up, etc... I can agree that being lazy can be frowned upon, but what some people are calling lazy doesn't make sense to me, as like, you can't actually tell. It might take me five seconds to pull out a monique gold wig, throw it on the doll, and take a fast snapshot, and it can look great. It could take me hours (*looks at her Morant*) to tie back, braid, pin back, and in any other ways possible style the hair for a photo that I spend 20 minutes trying to get the camera to focus because it wants to focus on that fluff on the couch and not the doll in front of it, and that photo, with all of that effort, time, and everything, looks awful. But how can you gague how much effort went into something?

You can't tell...

 

I'm not saying I'm not rude. ^_^
but
I'm responding to what was posted and what was posted makes it seem like
at least in said view he's shunning people and their sock dresses. HE did state it does make dolls ugly.
And a few other people have noted that they "stay away" from the Sock people. It seems to be the general opinion of the other side. That's not shunning?
My bad.
I'm not saying everyone is like that, or anyone in specific for that matter. IT's just my general opinion of people who are nose in the air about beginner crafters which is what the underlying tone of this thread is.
YOur not going to get good overnight, and some people (personally I know a few) are awful proud of their cut off sock outfits and they might make several sock outfits before they move on to something a bit better.

I haven't seen hate particularly on this site, but I have recently in other groups and forms.
I've been hated on myself because I'm a beginner at the doll hobby, especially at faceups.
I didn't realize how "low" people would categorize me for not being a pro right away, until I started getting ugly comments and even emails. Seriously.

 

I'll be honest. I'd hate to meet some of you guys outside of this forum.

From now on, I'm going to start judging you by the house you live in, how much money you have, what car you drive... I mean, you are a completely beautiful human being.... why wouldn't you put forth the effort to live in a million dollar house and have a salary of $400,000.00 a year? If you don't... ugh, you're so lazy.

I mean, someone put alot of effort into creating you, and hospital stays and childcare are NOT cheap. Why would you accept anything less but the best for your own life? Otherwise.... you're just mocking your parents. Good thing everyone here is rich, yeah? Oh... wait.....

I mean, PUT SOME EFFORT INTO YOUR LIFE. If you don't have a college degree, you are SO lazy. I mean they have SCHOLARSHIPS... and if you can't get one of those.... well, there are CHEAPER community colleges and the like.

See, to me... everything I just said.... is how you guys are acting over toys. Over dolls. Seriously, I'm probably one of the youngest people posting in this thread and I've fought the urge to say 'grow up already' at least 30 times.

Sock dresses .... paper.... bubblegum... naked.... FUR. I don't care what YOUR doll is wearing. It doesn't affect me. I won't judge you one way or the other based on your doll's clothing.

 

ahahahah!
Hilarious!
I like that.
But the point of this thread is to have a discussion.
So we agree to disagree, we disagree to disagree... whatev

I think it's fun reading everyone's comments.
No one is truly humble, everyone's an elitist to some degree.
Bottom line is, it really is no ones' business what other people do with their dolls.
Just like it's no one's business what you decide to do with your life.

Still fun to talk about.
I enjoy this thread.

 

Dude your posts are my favorites, I also agree about wearing a sock dress everyday cuz it would be so comfortable and stretchy. Something about this hobby makes some people forget how to be polite and humane while rendering their honest opinion. Also you have to remember when you are younger (and I'm talking mental as well as chronological age) you feel the grown up desire to render your opinion, but you don't have the grownup experience to remember that your mom taught you to be polite while you are rendering said honest opinion. You are one of the older souls on this board, and you may be expecting a bit too much from some people. All this said, I am off to put all my dolls and my two toy size dogs into sock dresses LOLOLOLOL

 

I like you and think your opinion hits the mark, however, you were totally polite while rendering, congrats you get it!!

 

whoot whoot!
Sock dresses!!
XD
I've never made a sock dress before, but now I'm guna go cut off a toe.

hehehe

 

^This. I'm mean, really, QFE. So people, I'm going to give you my opinion since the OP wanted to know. If you don't like it, there is this little arrow at the top of your browser - it should be pointing to the left - that you can punch.

I think that sock dresses look cheap. The doll is still just a doll and I don't think the owner is a lesser being for even considering dressing it in a sock, but said doll won't look über-beautiful in it. That is why I don't like them. These are great looking sculptures, some even call them art and this entire hobby is build on modification and creation. So, when I visit this forum to look at pictures I want to see photo's that bring out the best in these sculpts. I don't only want to know that people love their dolls, I'd like to see it as well.

Dolls are expensive. And sometimes you just haven't found that perfect outfit for your doll yet. Believe me, I've been there. Actually, two of my dolls have never had a decent photoshoot, because they still aren't finished. Until they have a nice face-up and an outfit that shows their character I'm not going to share him with thousands of strangers on the internet.
Friends would probably want to see them and they don't care what he looks like, because they know me and are interested in me. But I can't expect the same for everyone on a faceless medium. The internet isn't kind and it doesn't generally care about strangers.
That's why I think that my dolls should give a good, if not great, first impression. Sort of like a business card.

If you want people to be interested in your girl or boy, you will have to show a little effort and putting them in sock dresses isn't isn't giving people the idea that you did. So, I generally just click the back-button when I come across pictures with these infamous 'outfits'.

 

I bet you could make a stylish hat with that toe you just cut off LOLOLOL

 

I don't even know where to start with the inconsistancies with TrevviesBaby's posts *psyduck* The comparisons you've made are completely different to each other. I mean, a luxury item =/= education.

And this sums up my view on this thread.

 

Not to stir the pot any further, but I don't think your analogies really work. I can't imagine anyone here being down on somebody because they couldn't afford to buy a house or chose not to go to college. Those are big real life issues that are much much more complicated than clothing a doll. And while there are people on this thread who are saying they don't think much of sock dresses, their opinion was asked -- it's not a matter of people being nasty to each other in gallery threads.

I'm not going to assume the worst of someone because they dressed their doll in a sock -- of all the things in the world to worry about, that doesn't even make the list, lol. However, if someone is capable of coming up with $100+ dollars for a doll, I would think they could save $25-30 for an outfit (yes, you can get decent clothes that cheap), or if they're really motivated take the home made clothes thing a bit further than snipping off the toe and two holes for arms. That's what has people boggled. The dolls usually come blank, bald and naked requiring their owners to factor in things like wigs, clothes, and other supplies separately -- it's part of the doll's cost. While it may take a little while to save up again for an outfit, the amount is soooo much less than the actual doll, it's hard to take the argument that all clothing is too expensive and overpriced. There's a lot out there--it just takes some hunting around and comparison shopping (which is fun anyway). It doesn't mean that someone who uses a sock dress is bad or that there's anything inherently wrong with them, but continuing to use said sock dress long term doesn't entirely make sense. Nor does the idea that choosing to buy clothes makes a person lazy and elitist which is what amped up the level of Arg! in some posts.