The 15 Best Dress Socks for Putting Your Best Foot Forward
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You are able to tell a lot about a man by the shoes he wears. Personally, however, I’ve always found socks to be more telling. Catching a glimpse of unkempt socks hanging loose around the ankle, with pilled cotton and in some drab color tells me everything I need to know about someone.
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This is why the dress sock, in particular, is deserving of some attention. Over the last decade, the big story in socks was the pop of color—a quaint trend that has since waned. These days, well-dressed men have (thankfully) come back to their senses, choosing finer materials and styles that are built to last. But there’s still plenty of room for play.
Matching (or not matching) them to something else in an outfit is a choice. Choosing socks that blend into an outfit versus ones that stand out is also a choice. How you invest in your sock arsenal—whether it’s countless pairs of standard cotton socks or just a few pairs of sturdier, more luxurious cashmere varieties—is also a choice. And fun sock lovers, don’t fret—there are still some charming patterns and embroideries out there for your consideration.
So maybe it’s time to give your dress socks the attention they deserve. Here, we’re unraveling a closer look at what goes into the best dress socks—whether you’re looking for a buy-in-bulk style to keep your office uniform looking fresh or something with a little more insulation to keep your feet toasty this winter.
BEST OVERALL DRESS SOCKS
Pantherella Solid Wool Half-Calf Dress Socks
These category-leading dress socks have been made in the same family-owned factory in Leicester, England for nearly 100 years. A favorite with aristocrats and well-dressed gentlemen around the world, this wool iteration comes in a practical (yet comfortable) half-calf height and a solid ribbed knit that prevents slippage.
Material: Wool and nylon.
Colors Available: 2.
BEST SOFT DRESS SOCKS
Polo Ralph Lauren Supersoft Trouser Sock (Set of 3)
If you know, you know: These Polo Ralph Lauren Supersoft socks are, as the name implies, as buttery smooth as you could hope for. A classic sock for any preppy wardrobe. They’re a foolproof choice for any office uniform and feature just the right amount of spandex so they stay in place all day long.
Material: Polyester, nylon, and spandex.
Colors Available: 2.
BEST LOGO DRESS SOCKS
Gucci Logo-Jacquard Cotton-Blend Socks
If you’re going for a logo dress sock, go big with Gucci, a top choice amongst the high-fashion set. They’re woven with the house’s signature interlocking Gs yet feel low-key enough that they can be paired with most pieces in your wardrobe. Wear them with a suit for an office-appropriate statement or with jeans for something that leans more street style.
Material: Cotton, polyamide, and elastane.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST LUXURY DRESS SOCKS
Loro Piana Ribbed Cashmere and Silk-Blend Socks
If you’re looking to invest, turn to a luxury brand that understands the finer points of fibers, particularly Loro Piana. These Italian-made socks combine micro-spun silk and cashmere for a luxuriously soft feel that is built to last.
Material: Silk and cashmere.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST POLKA-DOT DRESS SOCKS
Marcoliani Tropez Dot Knitted Socks
A dotted sock telegraphs personality and whimsy without sacrificing style or formality. This Italian-made pair achieves that delicate balance by perfectly combining high-quality fibers with perfectly matched colors. Cotton makes them a soft, comfortable choice, and a hint of polyamide adds durability.
Material: Cotton and polyamide.
Colors Available: 3.
BEST MULTI-PACK DRESS SOCKS
Stefano Ricco Solid Cotton Socks (Set of 6)
If you like something, make sure to buy it in bulk. Enter Stefano Ricci’s fantastic six-pack box of smooth cotton socks. The calf height is just right, and it is capped off with a cuff to keep them secure around your leg on even the longest days at the office. The package also makes for a great gift.
Material: Cotton.
Colors Available: 4.
BEST COTTON DRESS SOCKS
Falke Egyptian Cotton Dress Socks
Cotton can be luxurious, and this pair of dress socks from Falke is a prime example. They’re expertly woven into a springy, sturdy mesh that’s breathable and soft, and they feature a banded cuff that holds onto your leg all day.
Material: Cotton and nylon.
Colors Available: 3.
BEST DESIGNER DRESS SOCKS
Thom Browne Light Cotton Mid Calf Four-Bar Socks
Thom Browne simply knows how to make even the simplest items—like a pair of socks—feel downright cool. Here, he’s reinvented the classic lightweight cotton sock with his signature stripes, marked by four pronounced bars, as well as his unmissable red, white, and blue tab behind the calf.
Material: Cotton.
Colors Available: 2.
BEST CHEEKY DRESS SOCKS
Bugatchi Dogs Mercerized Cotton-Blend Dress Socks
If you’re going to indulge in a whimsical patterned sock, make sure it’s a stylish, Italian-made one. This Bugatchi style comes in cotton that has been mercerized for a lustrous appearance and more silky handfeel.
Material: Cotton, polyamide, and elastane.
Colors Available: 3.
BEST ODOR-RESISTANT DRESS SOCKS
Mack Weldon Silver Extended Crew Dress Socks
Every detail of these Mack Weldon dress socks has been carefully considered—from the cushioned footbeds that make even your stiffest dress shoes feel comfortable to the extended crew length to the stay-put cuffs that never sag to a unique anti-microbial silver treatment in the yarn that prevents odors from ruining your vibe. And as we mentioned, if you like something, buy it in multiples. It’s also worth noting that this style comes in 12 different colors.
Material: Cotton, Ionic+ silver, nylon, and elastic.
Colors Available: 12.
BEST DRESS SOCKS FOR WINTER
J. Crew Wool-blend Houndstooth Socks
When the colder months come around, a slightly thicker sock made from warmer fibers can make all the difference. But the secret is to not go so thick that your feet get sweaty once you reach the office, where you have to sit at a desk for hours. These J. Crew socks get the weight just right. And it comes in a timeless houndstooth pattern.
Material: Wool, acrylic, polyamide, polyester, and elastane.
Colors Available: 2.
BEST ARGYLE DRESS SOCKS
Grenson Argyle Dress Socks
Argyle isn’t just for your grouse hunts or teatime with the king. It’s a classic-feeling pattern that always feels smart for dress socks. Grenson gets it right with its modern tweak on the classic by keeping the tones relatively neutral. Indeed, these socks imbue a vibe that’s more timeless and less twee.
Material: Wool and polyamide.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST RIBBED DRESS SOCKS
Canali Wool Blend Ribbed Dress Socks
For nearly a century, the Canali family has produced some of the finest suiting and accessories in Italy—and its dress socks are no exception. This ribbed style, in particular, features just-right proportions, along with a wool blend that’s comfortable and warm without being stifling.
Material: Wool and nylon.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST COLORED DRESS SOCKS
Paul Smith Central Signature Stripe Socks (Set of 3)
The king of stripes’ original multicolor striations might be a bit loud for most guys, but this iteration of the brand’s signature pattern features a relatively demure “Central” stripe—a single strip of color that runs down from calf to toe. Consider it less of a pop of color and more of a gentle wink.
Material: Cotton, polyamide, and elastane.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST CASHMERE DRESS SOCKS
Brunello Cucinelli Cashmere Chiné Rib Knit Socks
Everything about these Brunello Cucinelli cashmere socks is decadent. The 100 percent cashmere knit is thick and luscious. The creamy color screams that they’re made for anything but walking. And the generous length is ideal for keeping the chill away on your private jet or fireside in the dolomites. Bellissimi!
Material: Cashmere.
Colors Available: 1.
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