Hottest New Men's Fashion Statement: Brightly Patterned Socks

— -- Practical and predictable as gifts, socks have the misfortune of being stuffed way under the tree and deliberately left off many wish lists.

That is until a footwear revolution, of paisley, pastel and polka-dotted hosiery started appearing on the ankles of American men.

This year, the nearly $6 billion sock industry will be front and center for gift exchanges, thanks to a fashion sock boom.

Just ask GQ.

"Socks are a very good intro for a guy who is just deciding I want to be more stylish," says GQ style writer, Jake Woolf.

So, why socks? As a man comfortably perched on nearly every best-dressed list, Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade has the answer.

"Why not socks?... You get to see that tiny glimpse of a pattern or a design or a color that they (men) have on its totally different then their suit at that moment it gives me something about that person."

And Wade is helping guys share a little about themselves, with now his third collection of socks with Stance Socks.

Snoop Dog, as well, is capturing some of the sock industry’s double-digit sales growth; he is teaming up with Sweden’s, Happy Socks, for a sock line that is totally chill; pot leaves and all.

Even former President George H.W. Bush, long a fan of sporting something other than black or blue, is putting his John Hancock on a sock line to raise money for the GOP. Rarely caught without a bold pattern or day-glow color on his feet, we asked Bush ’41: How do you decide what to wear?

"Luck of the draw," he said.

What does the family, most importantly the first lady, think of your sock choices?

"This is where my hearing loss really comes in handy," Bush joked.

Are you surprised that you’re considered ahead of the fashion curve?

His answer: "According to whom?"

From Pinterest boards to ‘Socks of the month,’ clubs, high-style hosiery has proven so popular, it has outgrown the constrictive display racks, often hidden from the high-traffic areas of men’s clothing stores.

The Sock Hop in New York’s SoHo shopping district, is a haven for sock enthusiasts with pockets deep or shallow. Owner, Vincent Nasserbakht left his job in finance to open a store that would satisfy discerning shoppers.

“You can always find a sock that is going to be more money. But in our store we generally range from $15 to $100. And in the 100 dollar sock you are getting 100 percent cashmere.”

Cashmere falls outside most budgets, so thankfully, it is not a prerequisite to join the sock movement. Whatever the price point and whatever the pattern a once loathed gift may be on your wish list this year.

ABC News' Angel Canales and Maurice Abbate contributed to this report.