# Upcycled Elbow Guards Raw Color's Elbow Sock Design Helps to Give Lone Socks a Purpose By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2020-04-24 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elbow-sock References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2020/04/21/elbow-sock-raw-color-coronavirus-coughing-sneezing/) & [rawcolor.nl](http://www.rawcolor.nl/) At a time when many people are making their own non-medical face masks at home with old pieces of clothing like t-shirts, design studio Raw [Color](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sprout-worlds-plantable-pencils) created an Elbow Sock specifically for sneezing into an elbow. The design has the potential to give a purpose to [odd socks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/performance-sock-brand) that are somehow separated from a pair, and support advice from medical experts who suggest it's better to cough or sneeze into an elbow rather than risk spreading germs onto people or surfaces. The Elbow Sock can be easily constructed at home by snipping off the toes of a lone sock, which allows the elongated band to be slipped onto the arm. With this solution, it's easier to [keep clothing clean and wash](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rewear-chair) the Elbow Sock as needed. Image Credit: Raw Color ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.2/10 - Popularity: 90% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Upcycled Elbow Guards:** The trend of repurposing odd socks into elbow guards helps to reduce waste and provides a practical solution for sneezing and coughing etiquette. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion Accessories:** The fashion accessories industry can explore creating upcycled elbow guards as a new product category that promotes sustainability and hygiene. - **Healthcare:** The healthcare industry can adopt the use of upcycled elbow guards as a way to encourage proper sneezing and coughing etiquette and reduce the spread of germs. - **Diy/homecraft:** The DIY/Homecraft industry can provide tutorials and resources for creating upcycled elbow guards at home, tapping into the trend of repurposing clothing items for practical solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Magnetic Hand-Holding Socks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handholding-socks.md) - [Recycled Material Medical Casts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/axo-cast.md) - [Upcycled Sock Dog Beds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/k9-camp-cushion.md) - [Magnetic Couples Socks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magnetic-couples-socks.md) - [Massaging Hand Healthcare Gloves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knitdema-glove.md) - [Dust-Based Soft Slippers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/done-dusted.md) - [Artistic Gen Z-Inspired Socks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/doublesoul.md) - [Advanced Ionized Silver Socks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allday-silver-socks.md) - [Luxury Eco-Conscious Socks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/madmia.md)