The Best Men’s Socks and How to Style Them
There a few things you should be on the lookout for when deciding which socks to wear.
You might get the urge to just throw on a whatever sock, thinking…it doesn’t really matter—but trust me, it does.
I always suggest my clients have an array of socks on hand, including ones that are simple to more quirky. Bold patterns, off the cuff designs and bright colors are all welcomed so don’t be coy and have fun with them!
People are only going to see them once your pants leg lifts, so it’s a nice little surprise / ice breaker for anyone you come in contact with.
1. Best Materials
I’m a huge advocate for merino wool and cotton blend socks—hands down they’re the best. They’re durable, not too thick or thin and highly versatile. Not to mention they can be styled seamlessly with a spectrum of outfits from casual to formal. Silk blended socks are often limiting best compatible with suiting. In addition, these socks have a tendency to thin out and deteriorate quickly.
2. Patterned / Solid Colored Socks
When dressing my clients, I always ensure their socks tie-in with their clothes. It may seem frivolous, but it truly does make a difference. To ensure your socks complement your outfit, it should be the same color as another item of clothing you’re wearing. This simple trick ensures an overall neat and stylish appearance.
3. Solid / Non-Pattern Socks
Solid colored socks should always have a place in your wardrobe. Make sure to keep a variety of neutrals such as black, grey and navy. Having these versatile shades on hand at all times ensures you’re always prepared. I strongly advise against white socks as they get dirty after the first couple wears and you’ll have toss them out before you know it — it’s just not worth it. Stick with darker colors, they’ll last you a lot longer.
4. Socks and Outfit Combinations
Wearing jeans?
Regardless of sneaker color, stick with either a black, charcoal or navy sock.
Wearing a black, navy or gray suit?
You’ll want to go with a black or brown shoe depending on the suit, and you’ll want your socks in a neutral color: navy, dark gray or black.
This is just a light mention. You don’t necessarily have to wear solid colored socks if you don’t want to. As I mentioned earlier, socks are the place where you’re welcome to come out of your shell—so let your personality shine here!
5. Best Sock Options
Darn tough in my opinion, is unmatched in terms of quality, comfortability AND durability. The color palettes are so fun and you’ll be hard pressed to find ones that don’t suit your taste. I use these religiously on clients and they absolutely love them!
What’s really nice is the lifetime warranty, so if they need to be replaced, just inform the brand and they’ll send you another pair at no charge. Just note, these aren’t cheap, but in the end you pay for what you get.
I have to say, uniqlo is your best friend when it comes to budget-friendly socks with endless options to choose from. The amount of cuts available range from low, to mid, to high, and come in an array of fun colors, prints and patterns — you just can’t go wrong. They may need to be replaced a bit more than the darn tough ones, but none the less, they’re still great quality for the price point.
Brandi is a personal stylist with over 10 years of experience helping men feel confident in their clothing. She offers tailored style solutions to solve your fashion issues, ensuring you look and feel great for any occasion.