Happy Socks

Happy Socks has a shop inside the Market Building at the centre of Covent Garden, showing the Swedish brand's bright, patterned hosiery. The company started in 2008 with a couple of Swedish friends and a big idea, turning the everyday sock into a colourful design object, and its shops keep that playful, pattern-led spirit front and centre.

The core product is socks in bold colours and graphic prints, from stripes and dots to seasonal and licensed designs, offered for men, women and children. The range extends to underwear, swim shorts, gift boxes and multipacks, with designs the brand says are inspired by everything from art, fashion and pop culture to the humble hamburger. Headquartered in Stockholm, the company works with creators and other brands on regular collaborations and sets out a principle that each new collection should improve on the last in materials and detail.

Happy Socks shop in Covent Garden Market

Stock is displayed by colour and theme so the patterned socks can be browsed at a glance, with gift boxes and coordinated sets grouped for quick selection and staff on hand to point out current ranges. That makes the shop a reliable stop for both self-purchase and easy presents, and the spread of Swedish design in one small unit suits anyone shopping for several people at once.

What to expect on a visit

Google lists the shop as open 10:00 to 20:00 from Monday to Saturday and 10:00 to 19:00 on Sunday, in line with the market's trading hours. The Market Building sits in the middle of the Piazza, a short walk from Covent Garden and Leicester Square stations. Happy Socks is one of the smaller clothing shops in Covent Garden, and IZIPIZI a couple of units along offers colourful eyewear in the same accessible spirit.