The Hottest New Men's Fashion Statement? Brightly Patterned Socks

Practical and predictable as gifts, socks have the misfortune of being stuffed way under the tree and deliberately left off many wish lists. That is until a footwear revolution of paisley, pastel and polka-dotted hosiery started appearing on the ankles of American men.

This year, the nearly $6 billion sock industry will be front and center for gift exchanges, thanks to a fashion sock boom.

Just ask GQ.

"Socks are a very good intro for a guy who is just deciding I want to be more stylish," says GQ style writer Jake Woolf.

So, why socks?