Fashion rules are made to be broken, but wearing dress socks with dress shoes is not one of them. The best dress socks for men prove why the moment you slip them on, because unlike your everyday athletic-leaning crew socks, these actually sync up with your suit, and don’t bunch up inside your slim leather Oxfords. For weddings, funerals, client meetings, and wherever else you need to look the business, the dress sock is a mainstay.
So what makes dress socks, well, dressy? For one, they’re noticeably thinner than regular crew socks, the kind you likely wear every day. (Kinda like how your suit pants are thinner than your jeans.) Secondly, dress socks are often made from wool or very fine, smoother cotton, which gives them a subtle sheen or luster. (Again, much like a suit fabric). Perhaps most crucially, a proper pair of dress socks should reach to your mid-calf at the bare minimum. There shouldn’t be any bare skin showing when you sit down or cross your legs.
Annoyingly, shopping for dress socks can be almost as complicated as shopping for a suit. That’s why we tested dozens to find the best dress socks on the market, from luxe merino-wool calf socks to moisture-wicking, sweat-conquering pairs. Send this message to your feet: you’re welcome.
It’s no surprise that plenty of top-notch socks are made in places like England and Italy, with a rich sartorial history that goes back centuries. But some of our favorite dress socks are made right at home in the States, like Boardroom’s. The merino wool is breathable and naturally moisture-wicking, and (best of all) machine washable. Given the quality, I would’ve expected these socks to be twice the price: They’re crafted with reinforced heels and toes. And, as any good pair of socks should be, they’re knit with a flat seam toe—which, in tandem with a high-reaching over-the-calf length, ensures you’ll never catch these wool socks bunching. And the best part of it all is that they’ll only cost you about $18 per pair.
Materials
67% merino wool, 30% nylon, 3% spandex
Length
Over-the-calf and mid-calf
Pantherella have made my go-to dress socks for years. They’re silky smooth, highly breathable, and totally seamless, which makes for a super comfortable wear. And while the high-quality English hosier makes some pretty spectacular wool socks too, it’s the cotton socks that stand out to me. Specifically, the Pembrey socks which use ultra rare Sea Island cotton, prized for its exceptional length, hand, and durability. And with a healthy dose of nylon, this cotton blend will outlast most other socks in your drawer.
Materials
80% Sea Island cotton, 20% nylon
For the funkier feet among us, socks are a particular pain point. That goes double when you’ve got to jam your dogs into a pair of leather Oxfords instead of ultra-breathable mesh runners. So to prevent the funny looks and crinkled noses, the best anti-stench socks are from Mack Weldon. They’re made using the brand’s Silver fabric which incorporates silver ions into the sock which works to fend off the gross microbes that cause the stink in the first place.
Materials
85% combed cotton,10% ionic+ silver, 4% nylon, 1% elastic
Colors
Black, charcoal, navy, plus a variety of patterns
When you’re caught in a bind and need
When you’re caught in a bind and need some dress socks that won’t break the bank, the best budget dress socks are undoubtedly from Uniqlo. Not only do they come in every classic suit color you ever need, they come in a zillion different colors that would match all the suits you really don’t. They’re plain, simple, cheap as hell, and in a pinch, they’re great socks that’ll blend into any dressy occasion, even if they’re maybe better suited for situations that don’t require a suit.
Materials
58% Cotton, 27% Acrylic, 11% Nylon, 2% Spandex, 2% Polyester
Colors
Over 50 solid colorways
Unless you spring for bespoke hard-bottoms that are perfectly molded to your feet, most dress shoes aren’t exactly a walk in the park when it comes to comfort, especially straight out of the box. So if you need a little extra cushion, we’d recommend a pair of Gold Toes. They come with a reinforced heel as well as plenty of cushioning at the arch so even if you’re still wincing through breaking in your brand new pair of dress shoes, at least your socks will make the gauntlet a little more bearable. They may not be the dressiest socks, but they come in all the colors you need and can pass muster for most formal situations. Plus, a pack of six pairs will cost you less than a large pepperoni pizza.
Materials
78% Combed Cotton, 19% Polyester, 3% Spandex
Can you skate by—proverbially and literally—with a pair of men’s dress socks that doesn’t check every box detailed up top? Sure: you can nix the wool fabric, or eschew that signature luster. The main details you don’t want to futz with, though, are the ribbing, color, and length. Keep the first simple and streamlined, the second in roughly the same hue as your pants, and as for the third…
What Length Should Dress Socks Be?
A few decades ago, this question would have had one simple answer: Over-the-calf, so as not to risk giving your dinner companions an unsightly flash (or more) of your leg hair. And while these days we’d still say that really is the best path forward, we also know there’s a strong chance you’ve not worn a pair of over-the-calf socks for years, if ever. If you really don’t feel right in them, by all means wear a mid-calf sock—but if you’re making that decision, you really ought to keep your color choice conservative. We’re talking blacks, grays, navys. Save the bright red for the knee-high crowd.
Between myself and several GQ editors, we owned several of the socks on this list and had hands-on (okay, feet-on) experience with others. I called in potential contenders specifically to wear-test. Based on my own evaluations and feedback from other GQ editors, I emerged with a list of what I believe to be the absolute best dress socks for men right now, factoring in fit, quality, price, availability, and style: from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors; the affordable pairs to the luxury riffs. Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there’s bound to be a pair here for you. (Read more about GQ’s testing process.)
Source: www.gq.com
