On the subject of socks: I was in our local mountaineering shop (Tisos, for those that know it) and found a big box of half-price socks. Even better, they were the kind I really liked. There were small men's walking socks (something like size 5-7, although I don't remember the details, but the certainly fit my size 6 feet) and I got 3 pairs. There were also small women's running socks (much thinner, and ankle height rather than mid-calf). These went up to size 5, I think. Too small for me, anyway.
While I was paying I asked what the difference between men's and women's socks was - nothing shape wise, was the reply. So I think it is to do with size ranges. My husband has size 6.5 feet and says it is hard for him to get shoes that small. He bought some gloves recently and was surprised that he ended up with size medium because everything he buys is usually small. I pointed out that while at 5'5" he's a (reasonably) small man, he isn't a small person and if the gloves were just gloves for people then the small and extra-small ones would be more likely to fit women.