How do you coordinate your socks?

Mike K. · Apr 30, 2007

In browsing through a number of mens style/fashion discussions, I have noticed some inconsistencies in how to best coordinate sock color with other pieces of one's attire. Some say that sock color should match shoe or trouser color to "create a seamless line" while others frown on this look. A few point to the obvious coordination of pattern or bits of color in the socks to something else that is being worn. What about solid color socks and other articles of clothing? I'm sure there are a number of different ways to pull off a look, but for some reason I am still somewhat confused and ask for your help.

Here are two possible outfits from my closet. What socks would you choose?

Outfit #1
Blazer: navy
Shirt: oxford cloth, medium blue color
Tie: regimental stripe, medium green and blue (picking up shirt color)
Pants: off white, pleated
Shoes: off white bucks
Socks: ???

Outfit #2
Shirt: polo, royal blue
Pants: plain front, khaki chinos
Shoes: either plain brown or saddle oxfords (mid-brown, dk. brown saddle)
Socks: ???

dundeedavie · Apr 30, 2007

Mike K. said:
In browsing through a number of mens style/fashion discussions, I have noticed some inconsistencies in how to best coordinate sock color with other pieces of one's attire. Some say that sock color should match shoe or trouser color to "create a seamless line" while others frown on this look. A few point to the obvious coordination of pattern or bits of color in the socks to something else that is being worn. What about solid color socks and other articles of clothing? I'm sure there are a number of different ways to pull off a look, but for some reason I am still somewhat confused and ask for your help.

Here are two possible outfits from my closet. What socks would you choose?

Outfit #1
Blazer: navy
Shirt: oxford cloth, medium blue color
Tie: regimental stripe, medium green and blue (picking up shirt color)
Pants: off white, pleated
Shoes: off white bucks
Socks: ???

Outfit #2
Shirt: polo, royal blue
Pants: plain front, khaki chinos
Shoes: either plain brown or saddle oxfords (mid-brown, dk. brown saddle)
Socks: ???

i'd match the socks with the trousers and shoes on the first one ....and a neutral colour with number 2 .

Maj.Nick Danger · Apr 30, 2007

I match my socks to each other.

deanglen · Apr 30, 2007

Maj.Nick Danger said:
I match my socks to each other.

:eusa_clap lol :eusa_clap lol

dean

AlanC · Apr 30, 2007

Mike K. said:
Outfit #1
Blazer: navy
Shirt: oxford cloth, medium blue color
Tie: regimental stripe, medium green and blue (picking up shirt color)
Pants: off white, pleated
Shoes: off white bucks
Socks: ???

Outfit #2
Shirt: polo, royal blue
Pants: plain front, khaki chinos
Shoes: either plain brown or saddle oxfords (mid-brown, dk. brown saddle)
Socks: ???

Outfit #1: probably something with a light blue in a pattern of some sort
Once you've gone with those pants and shoes you've thrown any ideas of business dress out the window so have some fun with it.

Outfit #2: It depends. You could either go with something to pull in the polo color, like a blue argyle, or you could go with a sock that blends with the khakis somehow (a darker brown, maybe).

I think you start with the idea of matching trousers as a default. Then you decide what effect you're going for--fun or conservative. Here's what I did yesterday with a grey suit and blue shirt:

Marty M. · May 1, 2007

Sock it to me.

AlanC said:
Outfit #1: probably something with a light blue in a pattern of some sort
Once you've gone with those pants and shoes you've thrown any ideas of business dress out the window so have some fun with it.

Outfit #2: It depends. You could either go with something to pull in the polo color, like a blue argyle, or you could go with a sock that blends with the khakis somehow (a darker brown, maybe).

I think you start with the idea of matching trousers as a default. Then you decide what effect you're going for--fun or conservative. Here's what I did yesterday with a grey suit and blue shirt:

Great socks and shoes. I love wide cloth laces. Great job.
Marty Mathis

Diamondback · May 1, 2007

Of course, there's always my way: only buy black socks. That way, they match everything except casual shorts or a light-colored suit...

Dixon Cannon · May 1, 2007

Easy...

White. Black. Tan. Brown. One of these will go with just about anything!

-dixon cannon

P.S. Now, when I was a young teenager, socks had to match the VanHusen shirt color of that day (the one's with the 'fairy hook' on the back.) I even had pink and orange, and baby blue back then! With H.I.S. trousers, of course!

Flying Scotsman · May 1, 2007

Hey, what the heck was that loop on the back originally *for*, anyway? We called 'em "fruit loops". What was the deal with those thingies?

Paisley · May 1, 2007

I think socks are best matched with pants. It makes them blend with the pants, thus elongating the look of the leg.

I would not wear white socks with the first outfit, though. It might be a little too sporty to go with the rest of the outfit.

Dagwood · May 1, 2007

AlanC said:

How about socks that match the trousers while bringing out the color in the shoe? For instance, in the above picture, I think that the same socks with a thin brown stripe would look great. The dark color in the sock would match the trousers while a thin brown stripe would match the shoe. I've had luck finding these type of socks at Bloomingdales.

Tomasso · May 1, 2007

Sock selection is often the Achilles heal

eusa_doh

of an otherwise well dressed gentleman. In general, I'd recommend the KISS (keep it simple, stupid) strategy; that is to match the trousers.

Hemingway Jones · May 1, 2007

Diamondback said:
Of course, there's always my way: only buy black socks. That way, they match everything except casual shorts or a light-colored suit...

Apparently most retirees in Miami missed that memo.

I am a fan of obnoxious argyles that couldn't possibly match anything.

jml90 · May 1, 2007

Flying Scotsman said:
Hey, what the heck was that loop on the back originally *for*, anyway? We called 'em "fruit loops". What was the deal with those thingies?

Locker loops

I try to coordinate my socks with my tie. In fact people chide me when I don't.

Mike K. · May 2, 2007

Okay, how about this (a variation on the original examples)...
South Florida casual, lunch at the club house.
Pleated ivory chinos, nicely pressed.
Royal blue, short sleeve polo
Off white suede bucks (who cares it's not Memorial Day yet, it's south Florida)

Socks:
Conservative - plain off white or beige (perhaps with a blue stripe) or plain navy
Bold: royal blue or blue argyle

How bold would you go?

Flying Scotsman · May 2, 2007

Go Bold!

Since getting more adventurous

in my clothing, this summer has seen me doing this:

Linen or cotton shirts of various solid colors, like aqua or yellow
White or natural linen pants
White bucks
Socks to match the shirts, or argyll socks with matching and coordinating colors
Fedora to compliment (getting time to go get that panama hat!)

I wear socks to match the pants with darker colored pants (such as grey, blue, dark brown, etc., usually in wool).

Tomasso · May 2, 2007

Mike K. said:
blue argyle

How bold would you go?

#10 or #22

Mike K. · May 2, 2007

Love 'em both
#12 too!

Now here's a collection

Flying Scotsman · May 2, 2007

I see Ben Silver and Golfknickers there

I really like the Ben Silver over-the-calf solid cottons in various colors...they actually stay *up* (I HATE socks that fall down...and it seems to be my curse or karma or something to keep ending up with them).

The Golfknickers socks are fun, but they are fairly tight at the top (I guess they'd have to be to hold up plus fours)...plus you can get matching sweater vests!

cookie · May 2, 2007

Obnoxious Argyles

Hemingway Jones said:
Apparently most retirees in Miami missed that memo.

I am a fan of obnoxious argyles that couldn't possibly match anything.

A year ago all these good quality Paul Smith fake argyles appeared on eBay and I bought some pairs.

Amusing for while until I found my 18 year old had thieved them!

How do you coordinate your socks?

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