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The Top Cuff Dimension is included in the Sock Length Dimension. It is shown because wider top cuffs have better "Stay-Up" power.

Footnotes:

* The absence of comparatives for the 100% natural fiber regular dress socks in both Cotton and Merino is for the reason that Pantherella does not offer these items in its regular sock line. It is to be noted that the 100% natural fiber socks tested have a 4% nylon in the critical areas of heel and toe but none in the sock body. There is also a small percentage of fine spandex in the top cuff.

** This sock is made with a Double Length Top Cuff, presumably for additional hold-up strength

*** This particular sock fabrication experienced unexpected laundering shrinkage from the 17"+ length (before) to 13"+ length (after).

**** Marcoliani Styles #2750L and #2750T have a companion wide-rib version (2478L and 2748T) not appearing in the study results, which is knitted of a Pima cotton lisle in contrast to a generic cotton lisle. The companion Women's Knee-High to the #2750 is #0090DL.

Objective Observations:

The majority of the Pantherella socks contained 10% Less Natural Fiber and 10% More Nylon than the Marcoliani socks. The two exceptions noted were the Pantherella patterned cotton pin dot which contained 5% less natural fiber and the best cashmere blend socks where the Pantherella version  contained only 1% less natural fiber. As regards this particular sock, there were two further characteristics of note. The Pantherella over-the-calf cashmere experienced extraordinary shrinkage diminishing in 5 launderings from 17" to 13.75" in length. In addition, the Marcoliani cashmere blend sock contained 26% silk, a more durable fiber. The cashmere blend sock with the silk content also exhibits a much higher sheen and color depth due to the inherent strength of silk in these two areas.

Subjective Observations:

The socks with the higher percentage of merino or cotton fiber offer a smoother, more pleasant tactile sensation. The Pima cotton lisle (not shown) exhibits a smoother and softer feeling surface than the generic cotton lisle. The Pantherella Cashmere Blend socks with the higher cashmere content have a "fluffier" tactile sensation but the hairs are "pricklier" than the Marcoliani Blend of Cashmere and Silk which is an extremely smooth sock.

Derivations/Conclusions:

In all cases except the Cashmere Blends where the comparison is of unequal fibers and both firm's 11.75" Argyle Merino Mid-Calf socks, the Marcoliani socks are longer. In all cases the percentage of natural fiber in the Marcoliani socks is significantly higher than in the Pantherella socks. If prices are the same for the same type and length of sock, the intrinsic value of the Marcoliani sock ranges from 112% to 121% better than the comparable Pantherella sock. This is calculated by simply multiplying the length of the sock by its percentage of natural fiber content. Additionally, due solely to the overall higher percentage of natural fiber in the Marcoliani socks, the skin-tactile pleasant sensation of the Marcoliani socks is higher.

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