Sugar Skulls: As Cute as they are Spooky

11:06:00 AM
As cute as they are spooky the Debra Sugar Skulls was our best selling shoe of Fall 2015. Bright colors, playful accents, and toothy grins adorn the loafer in a way that reminds us of October’s fall harvest festivities. Sugar skulls are all over the place in Western culture adorning everything from rolling pins to bracelets to area rugs to S’well water bottles. As you slip into your Sockwells and don your Debras in Fall 2016, we invite you to reflect on the origins of this seasonal skull. Skeletons are an iconic part of Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead. The three-day long fiesta begins on October 31st and ending on November 2nd. On these days, people believe that honoring late friends, family, and neighbors will bring future happiness to the living the following year. In preparation for this homecoming, the families craft altars in their homes and cemeteries decorating them with the favorite foods, drinks, and gifts of the dearly departed. People place sugar skulls on the altars along with marigolds and pan de muerto. One of the most famous of the skeletal characters to make an appearance for the festivities is La Catrina. The creation of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, she is an elegantly dressed figure wearing a French-inspired hat. Intended to make a political statement in pre-Revolutionary Mexico she represents wealth and serves as a reminder that death is the one true equalizer between classes. The calaveritas de azucar are a combination of sugar, water, and meringue powder you press into a skull mold. Decorated with bright icings, marigolds, foil, and even the name of the deceased these skulls are meant to be colorful- a representation and celebration of the living. Mexicans see this vibrant pigment as a sweet reminder of the inevitability of the afterlife. In contrast to Halloween, when people fear and evade death at all costs, Dia de los Muertos is intended to be a celebration and the Mexican attitude toward death itself is reflected in the playful and celebratory papier mache parades that flood the streets of Mexico City. Attendees paint their faces to joyfully dance on the line between life and death before heading to late night candle light vigils in cemeteries. How can you get in the mood for this celebration of all things Day of the Dead? Your favorite Alegrias are a good start, but we want to sweeten the deal with a gift with purchase to keep your feet comfy and warm while you attend your favorite autumn festivities. That’s right! You heard us! We’ve partnered with Sockwell to give away a free pair with every purchase of a Debra Sugar Skull or Keli PRO Sugar Skull Dottie between now and October 31st. What’s so special about these socks? Made with a merino wool and bamboo blend these socks are meant to be high-performance compression socks while also being visually attractive and physically comfortable. The designers kept the wearer’s needs in mind and incorporated two levels of graduated compression. Better yet these socks are all-American in both the materials and mills used in production. Even if you already have your Alegria Sugar Skull shoes, you’ll want to pick up a pair of Sockwell socks for the perfect match in comfort and style. Hit the leaf-covered streets this October in the most popular pattern of the season with the best socks you’ve ever worn, and you’ll be ready for whatever tricks and treats come your way. Happy Harvest!

As cute as they are spooky the Debra Sugar Skulls was our best selling shoe of Fall 2015. Bright colors, playful accents, and toothy grins adorn the loafer in a way that reminds us of October’s fall harvest festivities. Sugar skulls are all over the place in Western culture adorning everything from rolling pins to bracelets to area rugs to S’well water bottles. As you slip into your Sockwells and don your Debras in Fall 2016, we invite you to reflect on the origins of this seasonal skull.
Skeletons are an iconic part of Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead. The three-day long fiesta begins on October 31st and ending on November 2nd. On these days, people believe that honoring late friends, family, and neighbors will bring future happiness to the living the following year.
In preparation for this homecoming, the families craft altars in their homes and cemeteries decorating them with the favorite foods, drinks, and gifts of the dearly departed. People place sugar skulls on the altars along with marigolds and pan de muerto.
One of the most famous of the skeletal characters to make an appearance for the festivities is La Catrina. The creation of Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, she is an elegantly dressed figure wearing a French-inspired hat. Intended to make a political statement in pre-Revolutionary Mexico she represents wealth and serves as a reminder that death is the one true equalizer between classes.


La Catrina Day of the Dead Painting
La Catrina

The calaveritas de azucar are a combination of sugar, water, and meringue powder you press into a skull mold. Decorated with bright icings, marigolds, foil, and even the name of the deceased these skulls are meant to be colorful- a representation and celebration of the living. Mexicans see this vibrant pigment as a sweet reminder of the inevitability of the afterlife.
In contrast to Halloween, when people fear and evade death at all costs, Dia de los Muertos is intended to be a celebration and the Mexican attitude toward death itself is reflected in the playful and celebratory papier mache parades that flood the streets of Mexico City. Attendees paint their faces to joyfully dance on the line between life and death before heading to late night candle light vigils in cemeteries.

How can you get in the mood for this celebration of all things Day of the Dead? Your favorite Alegrias are a good start, but we want to sweeten the deal with a gift with purchase to keep your feet comfy and warm while you attend your favorite autumn festivities.


That’s right! You heard us! We’ve partnered with Sockwell to give away a free pair with every purchase of a Debra Sugar Skull or Keli PRO Sugar Skull Dottie between now and October 31st.
What’s so special about these socks? Made with a merino wool and bamboo blend these socks are meant to be high-performance compression socks while also being visually attractive and physically comfortable. The designers kept the wearer’s needs in mind and incorporated two levels of graduated compression. Better yet these socks are all-American in both the materials and mills used in production.


Sockwell Circulator Compression Socks in Black Stripe
Sockwell Circulator Compression Socks in Black Stripe - Free Gift With Purchase!

Even if you already have your Alegria Sugar Skull shoes, you’ll want to pick up a pair of Sockwell socks for the perfect match in comfort and style.
Hit the leaf-covered streets this October in the most popular pattern of the season with the best socks you’ve ever worn, and you’ll be ready for whatever tricks and treats come your way. Happy Harvest! 

Post a Comment

No comments

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
Powered by Blogger.