Men's Socks: The Essential Guide

Socks might be the last thing on your mind when putting up your OOTD. After all, nobody’s going to look at them for more than five seconds (if ever they do).

But gone were the days when socks are simply those plain white tubes that we wear to stay warm during cold weathers or to protect our feet from the rough and stiff interior surfaces of our shoes. Today, socks have become central to a stylish and comfortable outfit.

From no-show socks to midcalf and ankle socks – you will find varying sock styles and sock colors. Yes, this minor clothing item that we used to ignore has evolved to be an important component of a fashionable outfit that is meant to suit your personality.

On this sock fashion guide, get accustomed to the different types of socks and find the socks lengths and styles that match your needs.

Types of Socks

There are different types of socks for men. It’s always a good idea to have at least one or two pairs of each because you never know when you will need them.

No-Show Socks

Socks are a necessity for pairing with shoes to feel comfortable and avoid having smelly feet or shoes. However, no one likes their socks peeking out when wearing fashionable shoes, especially when their outfit involves short pants.

No-show socks are among the most versatile stylish socks. As the term suggests, it gives you a sockless look without literally going sockless, perfect for any type of shoe where a lot of your feet is exposed. Most people use it when wearing shorts, but it is definitely up to you how you want to use it. No-show socks are great for boat shoes or loafers, sneakers, and slip-on shoes.

The best no-show socks are comfortable, easy to wear, not too thick for warm weather, and doesn’t slip off your feet.

Ankle (Athletic) Socks

Many people often mistake ankle socks with no-show socks. However, they are two different things. The latter sits below the ankle while the former sits on or slightly above the ankle. Ankle socks are meant to protect your heels and ankles from chafing as you engage in physical activities such as running, exercising, or walking. There are ankle length socks that do now show while you’re wearing your trainers. When buying ankle socks, look for the pair that fits you perfectly, preferably made from elastic material to ensure your feet’s comfort and protection. You should also have a pair of ankle dress socks in your wardrobe which is perfect for casual to formal occasions.

Mid-Calf Socks

Also called crew socks, these the sock types that you should stock up more in your drawer. The sock’s height falls in the middle of the calf, which is about 9-11 inches long from the heel. Mid-calf socks are designed with a traditional guy in mind. They are perfect for just about any men's shoes – boots, sneakers, loafers, dress shoes, and more. And because the sock provides plenty of coverage, it is a great go-to sock during the winter season. Additionally, they can come in a plethora of colors, designs, patterns, and materials.

Over the Calf (OTC) Socks

If you’re the type of person who is frequently bothered with his socks pooling around the ankles, you might benefit from getting a good pair of OTC socks. But the bad news is that this type of socks is already outdated and very few retailers offer it these days.

Special Occasion Socks

If you think there isn't a sock for every occasion- think again! From wedding socks to marriage proposal socks (YES- socks to hide your engagement ring!) there's a pair for any event in your life. You can use bold patterns and colors to highlight your personality, or stick with a classy neutral to work with your favorite formal attire. Best of all, special occasion socks make amazing Christmas gifts for him, or could be gifted as a way to ask your groomsmen to stand by your side on the big day!

Sock Materials

You might think that socks are the simplest items in your wardrobe. But apart from having different types, socks can be made out of different materials too. And while the majority of socks sold in the market are machine-made, these little apparels can also be handmade using traditional techniques such as knitting, sewing fabrics together, and crocheting.

Let’s talk about the most common materials for socks.

Cotton

This is the most common material for socks. Not only is it affordable, but it also offers comfort and durability. Cotton socks are tremendously soft. When blended with other man-made fibers, they can hold their shape and give your feet a comfortable, nice fit. Cotton also holds color quite well. It is more breathable for your feet which makes a good choice if you have sensitive skin.

Wool

Wool is perhaps one of the first materials used for making socks. However, when manufacturers began using inexpensive fibers, wool socks became less and less available. Now, only a handful of box stores sell socks made of wool and those who do offer them at a hefty price tag. Unlike cotton, wool is a wonderful insulator. So if you live in an area with a colder climate or if winter time is approaching, wool socks are definitely a great investment.

Cashmere

Cashmere socks are also great for the winter and even warmer than wool. These socks fit any outfit they are worn with, from casual to formal and business attire. They are also great for sneakers, dress shoes, and even boots. However, just like wool, cashmere is an expensive material used for making luxury socks. One socks rule is that fine wool and cashmere socks are great for leather shoes and anything that needs to be smart.

Silk

Socks made from silk look fantastic. Silk’s absorption properties are slightly higher than that of cotton but it isn’t that durable. Silk socks are comfortable to wear but they have a higher price tag too.

Synthetics

Socks made from synthetic fibers like polyester are highly durable. If cared for properly, they last longer than cotton socks. They are fast drying and non-absorbent too, which makes them a good go-to socks for ordinary days or when you are on travel. Jeans and socks made from synthetic fibers pair up nicely.

How to Wear Socks

The rule of thumb when it comes to wearing socks is that the color of your socks should or closely match the color of your trousers.

Different shoes call for different types of socks as well. For instance, the best socks for dress shoes are mid-calf. As to the color of dress shoes socks, opt for brown, navy, grey, or black.

If you’re wondering what kind of socks to wear with boots, you won’t also go wrong with mid-calf socks as well as knee-high socks.

If you’re wearing menswear socks with patterns (which are very popular now), make sure it doesn’t match any pattern that already exists in your looks. For example, if you’re wearing a polka-dot shirt, do not wear dotted socks. These days, it’s common to see men wearing socks of bold patterns and color. If you love novelty socks, don’t be afraid to show them to the world by cuffing your pants.

Conclusion

Yes, there is a lot to learn about men's socks. By now, you will never see socks the same way again. Take note however that it’s not enough that you wear fashionable socks. What’s more important is that you wear socks that fit your style and give you maximum comfort. Hope these men’s socks fashion tips and guidelines have given you enough information on what types of socks to have in your wardrobe and what’s the best way to wear them.

Mariam Simmons

Mariam Simmons is a fashion enthusiast and Content Manager at Alpine Swiss. She loves traveling to the world’s top stylish destinations and gets inspired to create helpful fashion and lifestyle guides. With over a decade of writing experience, her main goal in creating content is to ensure readers learn something useful and provide value instead of noise.