Anonymous Ism Socks & Caps

Anonymous Ism is named for what it doesn't do. No logo, no branding on the outside, nothing to tell anyone what you're wearing — the socks are meant to be recognised by the knit rather than the label. Founded in Tokyo in 2002 and knitted in Nara on restored 1970s machines that run slowly enough to keep the yarn's texture. There's more in socks, and the caps sit in hats.

Anonymous Ism Q Socks and Half Socks

Q is the shorter length — roughly quarter height, sitting just above the ankle bone rather than at it. It's the length most of this collection is cut to, and it's the one that works under a trainer without disappearing. The half socks are shorter again. The Slub Line and 3 Line Slub use a yarn spun deliberately uneven, so the surface has lumps and thin patches in it, which is what gives them their texture and what a modern machine would iron out.

Anonymous Ism Pile and Crew Socks

Pile means the inside is knitted in loops rather than flat, so there's a layer of yarn between your foot and the shoe. The Moc Pile and the Hemp Random Line are the everyday versions; the Wool Cashmere Snow Crew is the one for a cold house. Hemp is worth a mention on its own — it gets softer with washing rather than wearing out, which is unusual. The Amerib comes as a three-pack if you want the plain ones.

Anonymous Ism Caps

The Kyoto Cap is the only thing here that isn't a sock. Piqué cotton, unstructured, and cut low enough that it sits flat rather than standing up off your head. It's the piece people find and buy without having heard of the brand, which given the name is probably how it's meant to go.

These are one size and knitted tubular, which makes them a little narrow — worth knowing if you have wide feet. There's more in socks and underwear, hats and sale accessories.

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