Guide to Finding the Right Socks for Any Occasion

If there’s one piece that doesn’t get as much attention but is more important to completing any outfit than what it lets on, look no further than the humble sock.

Socks are included in outfits because they’re more than just for looking good. In fact, the sweat from your feet damages footwear and is responsible for an off-putting smell that nearly everyone has encountered at least once in their life. This makes socks really useful for keeping your shoes and feet dry.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind when looking for the right pair that works with your ensemble, no matter the occasion:

General Rules
Believe it or not, you can’t just pick up any old pair and say it’s good enough to put on. Similar to footwear, there are general rules when it comes to choosing socks:

• Thin/fine socks don’t go with athletic shoes.
• They must match each other and have no holes. If you find neither of these to be the case for you, ditch them and find another pair.
• They should fit your foot well.
• They should cushion the feet and keep your skin from rubbing against the interior of your shoe.
• If you’re not sure what color to pick for your outfit, you can’t go wrong with black.

Length
If you’re confused about the different lengths and cuts for socks, they’re designed that way because they’re suited for different types of footwear.

Here they are for your consideration:

• No-show/Liner/Ped – This sock length allows you to hide your socks under the shoe or show just a little bit beneath the ankle.
• Quarter – Designed for covering the ankle bone, and only up to your ankle bone.
• Crew – Extends beyond your ankle up to where the largest part of your calf starts.
• Executive/Over-the-Calf – Extends beyond the calf, but not over the knee.

Types
Just as there are different lengths, there are also different types of socks suited for different occasions. While standard black, navy, and grey are always safe options, even white socks can look great depending on where you’re going.

Here are the different types of socks to consider when buying a new pair:

• Plain/Dress socks – Pairing them with formal shoes and a formal outfit will make you look sharp and give you a more sophisticated overall appearance.

• Textured socks – Textured socks give your outfit a little more edge, but they go best with trousers that are either a shade lighter or darker.

• Statement socks – This type of sock has made a comeback more recently, so their brighter colors should be paired only with boots or smart shoes and trousers that cover up a decent length.

These are just a few styling guidelines to how you can make your socks work for you. Keep an open mind to the possibilities of how you can mix and match your outfits, and you will have more choices to go on.