Introduction to Scotland thread men's socks
When we talk about high quality men's socks we have to be aware that there are many elements that need to be put together. The first of all is the quality of the raw materials and subsequently their processing.
Every single step has a cost and complexity of execution. Few have the right skills and also only a few are willing to spend more to get the highest quality.
In this article we talk about the difference between men's socks in Scotland thread and those in Filoscozia® . Many confuse them or even use them as synonyms. They have different characteristics and therefore it is necessary to clarify to avoid errors of evaluation during the purchase phase.
Scotland lisle men's socks: meaning, origin and manufacturing
If we refer to the Scotland thread we must bear in mind that we are talking about a yarn made of mercerized cotton. More precisely we are talking about a particular type of yarn, with two or more twisted strands, with a shiny appearance, very similar to silk at least in an apparent form, since the shine in the case of the poor quality Scotland thread is created artificially and is not given largely from cotton fibers as it should be.
Filo di Scotland is often produced starting from the best long-staple cotton fibres . However, this is not always the case, as Scotland thread socks with a selling price of a few euros are often made from large stocks of cotton purchased at a low price and with fibers that are now broken or damaged. The cotton in question is subjected to a double mercerization process, through immersion in caustic soda in low temperature environments.
Also known as Lisle Cotton Yarn , the Scotland yarn spread starting from 1850, as the best yarn among those of J&P Coats, a Paisley yarn factory, located in the central-western area of the Scottish Lowlands, close to Glasgow and the White Cart River.
However, the raw material used for Scotland yarn has absolutely nothing to do with the damp and cold environment of Scotland. Instead, it is a question of long-staple cotton fibers from warm Egypt . An extremely fine cotton that grows and is harvested by hand on the delta of the River Nile.
This variety of cotton is ideal for producing very fine and particularly comfortable yarns, which also have another important characteristic, namely resistance.
With regards to its manufacturing , immediately after harvesting the long-lime cotton is subjected to a particular manufacturing process to ensure its quality and resistance.
This is where we move on to the famous treatment called mercerization (from the name of its creator John Mercer, an English chemist who lived between the late 1700s and early 1800s).
In this type of treatment cellulose based on caustic soda is used and it was officially patented in 1851.
Characteristics of Scotland thread
The Scotland thread label does not guarantee the quality of the cotton but indicates a manufacturing process. For example, even a rough and not very resistant cotton can be called Scotland thread, if mercerized.
Mercerizing adds strength and sheen to cotton thread, but it cannot transform a cheap fabric into a valuable one.
What really differentiates a premium garment from a mediocre one is the length of the fibers of the cotton used. A fabric made from long-fibre cotton flakes is smoother, softer, and reflects light differently, giving the sock a visible, high-quality look.
As you can well understand from this premise, Scotland's thread doesn't necessarily mean quality .
Longer cotton fibers guarantee more softness, resistance and that sheen that differentiates a poor quality cotton sock from a high-end one.
Filoscozia® men's socks: meaning and workmanship
Recognized by all as the best yarn in the world, Filoscozia® is designed to give maximum comfort. There are few companies in the world that are able to offer collections with this type of fabric which, due to its natural and healthy structure, is particularly suitable for the most delicate skins .
The Filoscozia® wording is a certification guarantee of quality that can only be obtained by guaranteeing certain standards.
To better understand what these standards are, let's take as an example the process carried out by Nobile and which leads to the creation of men's socks in Filoscozia® of the highest quality.
In fact, we have the best cotton in circulation, hand-picked with extra long Makò fiber (33/35mm+) . After the hand-picking of the cotton comes the Combing and Carding process which serves to separate the long fibers from the shorter ones and make the cotton as smooth as possible.
During combing the cotton curls are untangled to make the cotton stretch. With Carding we carry out a process of brushing the cotton fibers which we will continue to stretch to align them in a single direction.
Low quality cotton socks , for example, do not have the combing process which makes the yarn more NOBLE.
After the first processing of the raw material we move on to Carbonation. The Cotton passes through a flame which eliminates unnecessary hairiness from the fibres. The yarn, thus smoothed, acquires brightness, regularity and resistance to the formation of pilling.
This process is not accomplished by most cotton socks. Precisely for this reason, in low quality products you find annoying lint all over the sock.
Characteristics of Filoscozia®
The peculiarity of this precious type also concerns the fact that it does not shrink in washing and releases less lint than any sock. It retains these properties even after numerous washes, it does not leave redness, redness and itching.
Another peculiarity is that it makes socks bright and soft like no other yarn, as well as disfavouring perspiration and unpleasant odours.
If you want to have a sock that maintains its characteristics over time and that gives elegance to your combination, Filoscozia® is the best choice you can make.
Difference between Scottish thread and Filoscozia®
The difference between Filo di Scotland and Filoscozia® lies in the nature of the raw materials . The hand-picked Makò Extra Long Fiber Cotton used during this process gives the highest possible quality for a sock.
Thanks to this extreme quality of the cotton, very few companies can affix the graphic label that certifies the use of the unique and true Filoscozia® and Nobile is one of them!
Made in Italy by Nobile
Unlike other hosiery factories, the socks are not produced in an industrial way, but go through a quality control at each stage of production which combines the work of the machine with the manual work of the craftsman. Finally, each sock is inspected, ironed and washed by hand.
We use Makò extra long fiber cotton in Filoscozia® certified with a holographic sticker. The design is stitched and not printed which favors a lack of impact on the skin. The cuff of our men's socks is Lycra and extra soft and our socks have a reinforced heel to give maximum comfort.
Conclusions
As you could understand, Filo di Scotland and Filoscozia® are often used incorrectly as synonyms, which creates a lot of confusion in consumer perception. To avoid misunderstandings and be truly informed when choosing our sock, we need to know these differences.
Today on the net there are many realities that use these two different terms improperly and we invite you to be very careful from now on.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Difference between Filo di scozia and Filoscozia®
The main difference between Filo di Scotland and Filoscozia ® is precisely the length of the cotton fibers and the nature of the raw materials . The hand-picked Makò Long Fiber Cotton used during this process gives the highest possible quality for a sock.
Thanks to this extreme quality of the cotton, very few companies can affix the graphic label that certifies the use of the unique and true Filoscozia® and Nobile is one of them!
What fabric is Scotland thread?
Scotland thread is a high quality yarn made from mercerized cotton. To be precise, we are talking about a particular type of yarn, with two or more twisted ends, with a shiny appearance, very similar to silk. Filo di Scotland is produced from the best long-staple cotton fibres.
Why is it called Scotland's thread?
The name Filo di Scotland instead derives from the mercerization process of cotton, tested for the first time in Scotland in the J&P Coats factory in Paisley. In reality this process was conceived years earlier, but only in Scotland was it applied to cotton.
How to wash Scotland thread?
The correct maintenance of the Scotland thread consists in using lukewarm water, at about 30° for the first two washes; after this operation, it is advisable to pay attention to the instructions on the label. Obviously it will be good to separate the dark garments from the light ones.
