Not Your Grandma's

Why Do We Include Not Your Grandma's?

We all know someone who could really benefit from compression socks: people who stand all day, runners pounding the pavement, chronic illness warriors, pregnant folks, anyone who struggles with swelling, achy legs, or that sudden dizziness when you stand up too fast. When Hannah Hoskins first became sick, compression socks were her saving grace—but the only options she could find were beige, tight, itchy, hospital-grade socks. Wearing them was torture.

That’s where Not Your Grandma’s was born.

Who Needs Compression Socks (and Why They’re So Important)

People on their feet all day - such as nurses, hairdressers, retail workers. Standing for long shifts causes your legs to swell, pumps in your calves to work harder, and leaves you exhausted at the end of the day. Compression helps reduce that swelling, increase circulation, and ease discomfort.

Anyone getting dizzy upon standing — conditions like POTS, low blood pressure, or simply bad circulation mean moving from sitting to standing can bring about lightheadedness. Compression socks gently help maintain blood flow and reduce the “whoa, I can’t feel my legs” feeling.

Runners, hikers, athletes — during and after exercise, compression can help with recovery, reduce muscle fatigue, improve performance by helping the blood move more efficiently, and aid with swelling or soreness.

Pregnant people — pregnancy increases pressure on veins, fluid retention, weight distribution changes; compression can help avoid swollen ankles, heavy legs, and even reduce risk of varicose veins.

Chronic illness & disability — folks with conditions that affect circulation, mobility, joint issues, or who have to be sedentary or bed-bound will also gain relief from compression. It can reduce swelling, pain, and sometimes even the risk of blood clots.

Travellers & those on flight — long flights can lead to swollen legs, deep vein thrombosis risk, and discomfort. Compression helps mitigate those risks, keeps legs feeling better after hours in a seat.

There are many situations where compression socks are more than just comfort accessories they’re a tool for health, relief, and restoring everyday function. But as helpful as they are, the typical “hospital grade” ones tend to be uninspiring: stiff fabric, scratchy seams, boring beige or white colours, sizes that feel like they’re made to a medical catalogue—not very encouraging when you’re already feeling ill.
Hannah knows this all too well.

The socks that helped her through the day were essential, but complaining about how they looked, how tight they felt, and how itchy their stitching was was just part of her routine. She needed compression, yes, but she also wanted comfort, personality, something that lifted her mood, not just her calves. The beige, tight-and-itchy standard was simply not good enough.
From that frustration came inspiration.

Not Your Grandma’s: Fun, Colourful, and Made for Real Life
Enter Not Your Grandma’s – the brand Hannah created so that people who need compression socks wouldn’t have to settle for dull, drab, uncomfortable pairs. Instead, you get:

• Fun, colourful, cute designs – they’ve got 15+ designs: florals, dinosaurs, sea life, butterflies, leopard print and more.
• Sensory-friendly fabric – soft materials, well-finished seams, so they’re easier on sensitive skin.
• Visible benefits clearly called out: reducing pain, swelling; helping with dizziness; worn by people with chronic illnesses, pregnant people, runners, people who stand all day.

They make compression socks you want to wear. Because when you feel better about how something looks and feels, you’re likelier to actually use it—and that means actually getting the benefits.

What’s In Store: The Shop

• Wide design range – Around 15 designs that cover everything from cheerful prints to bold patterns.
• Best Sellers like Floral, Dinosaur, Sea Life, Leopard Print – designs that let you express yourself as well as protect your legs.
• Other goods – Positive planners or reminder notebooks are also mentioned, so Not Your Grandma’s isn’t just about socks, but supporting wellbeing in small, joyful ways.

Because compression isn’t one-size-fits-all, here are a few pointers:

• Check compression level (often given in mmHg). For mild swelling or long flights maybe lower level; for more serious conditions or chronic illness you might need stronger compression but always check with your doctor if in doubt.
• Proper fit matters. Measure your ankle, calf, maybe thigh depending on sock style. Not Your Grandma’s includes size guidance so you’re less likely to get ones too tight (or too loose).
• Think about length: knee-high, thigh-high, full leg, depending on where you need help.
• Fabric and comfort: breathable material, flat seams, sensory-friendly elements all help. Not Your Grandma’s makes that a priority.

Compression socks are for everyone whose legs and circulation are working hard, whether you’re a professional on your feet, a runner, someone living with a chronic illness, pregnant, or travelling. But feeling like you’ve got to wear grandma’s socks? That was never fair.

That’s why at Never Grey we’re proud to carry Not Your Grandma’s - ompression socks that don’t suck. Socks that look good, feel good, and do good. Because if compression is going to be part of your day, let’s make it something you actually look forward to putting on.