When I started making men’s fashion content, I never thought I’d get so many questions about socks. And I guess I get it – it’s something we wear every day and not many people talk about it. But it’s just one of those things you throw on and forget about it, right? Maybe, maybe not. But no matter how you feel about it, it’s clearly something that needs to be discussed. So let’s talk socks!
The White Crew Sock
This is your tried and true staple. I would be surprised if you don’t already have a pair in your closet. This is the perfect sock option for your most casual outfits. The white crew sock is a solid option for a look that is on the more “youthful” side, if you will. I also think they can work with pants and white sneakers as a way to make your socks not too much of a statement piece. They kind of just blend into the shoe!
But, if you’re a guy in your 20s or 30s, it might be time to ditch the Nike half calves for anything other than exercise. I’m a bit hypocritical because I have a drawer full of Nike Dri-Fit socks I wear for exercise. They may occasionally creep into an outfit with jeans as well. Do as I say, not as I do, I guess! If you’re looking to upgrade from the Nikes, I have a few solid options. The Uniqlo Pile Socks are a great budget option ($5.90 each, or 3 for $14.90). These are thick socks which is my personal preference. They also have a hint of a cream color, which is slightly less jarring than stark white. They are slightly roomy, so if you are anything smaller than a US 9.5 or 10, they might be a bit big.
For an investment option, I would check out Bombas Crew Socks. These are a whopping $14 per pair, which is a bit tough to swallow. But, their warranty is insane. They even say they’ll replace them if your dog chews them up. So buy once, cry once, I guess! I’m sure there are a lot of other great options like this out there as well, but these are a couple I know of!
One word of caution wearing crew socks with shorts: don’t pull the sock all the way up to your calf. We’re going for more of a relaxed vibe here. I like to pull the socks on and then scrunch them down just a little bit towards the ankle. If you are a pull-on all the way type of person, you could also consider a quarter sock. This will hit more of that low shin point that doesn’t scream high school gym teacher. See said sock bunching up close below!
No-Show Socks
No-Show socks are the socks Gen Z loves to hate. There was a whole movement on TikTok talking about how bad they are. I refuse to comply! No-show socks have been a wardrobe staple for me for years. I don’t think you can beat the look when it comes to a “smart” outfit with shorts or even a slightly cropped pair of pants. Not wearing socks at all with your shoes in the summer is inexcusable, so no-shows are the necessary evil!
The Uniqlo Pile Low Cut Sock has been my go-to for years. Like the crew sock, they are thick, but that is my preference. They’re affordable – again, $5.90 a pair, or 3 for $14.90. I think they breathe pretty well. They have a grippy piece on the heel so they don’t slide down. They’re the perfect no-show for sneakers, in my opinion. Uniqlo also has a normal Low Cut Sock that is a thinner material. I haven’t tried it yet, but if you don’t like thick socks this would likely be a great option. If you want to invest here, the Stance No Show Socks are highly reviewed. Bombas also makes a pair and again, they boast the same great warranty.
These are all great options to wear with sneakers or a higher-cut shoe. But if you wear a lot of loafers, you may want to consider a loafer sock. To be completely honest, the ones I have tried all stink. These are truly a necessary evil in my opinion. Because of the low cut of the loafer, there isn’t a ton of fabric to cling to your foot. They slide all over and are a bit uncomfortable, even with the heel tab. Maybe I just haven’t tried the right pair! Again, Bombas has an investment level pair that might be the answer to all of my problems. This Ralph Lauren pair from Amazon is a bit cheaper and also highly reviewed. Let me know if you have found a pair you love!
For me, those two cover every casual outfit I ever wear. I truly like to keep it simple in that department. There are only two other options I consider outside of that!
The Colorful Dress Sock
In the 2010s, there was a trend of bright-colored patterned dress socks. They may or may not have matched the outfit. It was seen as a way to bring some fun to an otherwise drab business casual wardrobe. While I think the idea remains the same in the 2020s, the trend has simplified a bit. Instead of socks with smiley faces or crazy patterns, if you want to spruce up your look, I would opt for a solid-colored dress sock.
Drake’s London is a menswear house on Savile Row in London that excels at this. Whether it’s a full suit or jeans with loafers, it can be a fun way to add some personality to an outfit. While there are places you can spend a fortune on colorful dress socks, I would encourage you to again look at Uniqlo. Their Colorful 50 Sock is affordable and solid quality. And, at the time of writing this, it is offered in 57 colors. I think there is a good chance you can find one that you like in there!
Other Dress Socks
If you want to keep it more classic, there are only 2 dress socks you need. The first is navy blue. This can be your go-to with literally everything you wear except an all-black ensemble. White pants, brown loafers, navy blue socks. Navy pants, brown double monks, navy blue socks. Charcoal Grey pants, burgundy dress shoes, navy blue socks. They just work with everything!
The only exception in my opinion would be wearing all black. In that type of formal scenario, a black dress sock would obviously be the logical choice. For an outfit with dress pants or trousers, you may also want to consider an over the calf sock. There’s about a 1000% chance you’ll feel like your grandpa when you put them on. But, in the era of “no break” dress pants, it’s a great way to make sure your legs don’t show when you sit down.
So there you go – 1100 words more on socks than you ever thought you needed to read. But hopefully it’s a helpful guide to inform your choices and style going forward! If you have any favorite socks or sock hot takes, let’s talk socks in the comments!
Be The First To Comment