Compression socks, long used by people with vein conditions, have recently become more popular with athletes. Many studies have shown good results from squeezing your legs into these tighter-than-normal socks. Some possible benefits include increasing blood flow to the heart, preventing injury, perking up tired muscles, minimizing vibration during exercise and improving blood lactate removal during exercise. One Australian study even found that athletes jumped higher when wearing the socks.

I recently tried some out for the first time. They were definitely tight. But I’m not sure if they enhanced my performance or not. However, “performance” is hard to define when you’re jogging two miles on the treadmill, taking a step aerobics class or teaching Bombay Jam. If I pursued more hardcore feats of athletic derring-do, perhaps I’d be better able to assess the socks.

But one thing I do know: Some compression socks are cuter than others. VIM & VIGR launched a new line last September of 12 cute patterns/colors. This line is designed for women, with the different sock styles named for goddesses: Eos, Athena and Artemis. They come in wool, cotton and nylon. My new black and purple argyle Artemis socks are wool and match lots of my workout outfits. Another thing I know: They definitely compress. When I take them off, I have argyle skin!

VIM & VIGR recommends their socks to workers who sit a lot or stand a lot, claiming that excessive hours in either position can harm leg circulation and oxygenation. I know that some folks wear compression socks on airplanes to avoid deep vein thrombosis to minimize inflight swelling of feet and ankles. I checked out a vein treatment forum (yes, I do weird things in my spare time) and this practice seems to be endorsed by vein doctors. Now I’ll have to plan a travel outfit that looks good with argyle.