Clothing the man's feet-socks!

These days men are seeing experimenting with even their socks.  A well-groomed man, sharply dressed with confident body language is always an impressor. But when a man has mismatched socks...especially when wearing a formal outfit, it makes me wonder whether he has any idea of what the sock rules are. Oh yes, I look at socks too...and so do many other women.

So we'll first run through a few dos and then get into details like the fabric. It's amazing right, how detailed style can be :) That's what makes this so interesting!

Image taken from https://www.bonjourretail.com/

How to wear your socks.

1.  Socks should match your trousers - Especially applicable when in formals. Men need to remember to match their socks with their pants and not their shoes. A creative, expressive man may however co-ordinate his socks with his tie/scarf/neck wear.

2. Ones not made for each other and the ones with holes need to go - A man may have a handful and more of socks that match the different trousers he has. Many times, pairs may get mismatched...and when you find a pair that is not coordinated, either find the right pair or don't wear it at all. Restock your socks regularly so that the ones with holes, stains and loosed can be replaced.

3. Length - Socks are available in different lengths. When in formals, hairy skin show is not appealing. Even if you are not a very hairy man, save your sock-less look for another occasion.

4. Keep the occasion in mind - The socks you wear should be in accordance to the occasion and in harmony with the rest of your outfit. Knee-high socks work well for a formal look, heavy wool argyle socks are good with a sport jacket and flannel trousers, darker colored socks with jeans and your whites at the gym or outdoor activity.

5. Choose the right size - You don't want socks that would choke your calves and leave marks of their tight hugs. Nor do you want socks that will slowly but surely roll down your legs because of a poor fit. Make sure the size you choose fits you right.


Types of Socks

1. Athletic Socks - These are usually ankle length or lower but do come in various lengths. Made of cotton, acrylic or synthetic blends. Specific socks are available for specific sports depending on the need. Running socks are designed to provide cushioning and reduce abrasion.


2. Dress Socks - Made of wool or acrylic. They reach the mid-calf area below the knee and come in most basic colors. Good dress socks are durable and comfortable. They come in traditional patterns with the most common one as argyle.

3. Protective Socks - These are socks that are designed for extreme temperatures. Skate socks is an example where the fiber used is not just insulating but also cut resistant.


The Fabric

1. Cotton - This is not just highly preferred but widely worn too since it's relatively cheaper and comfortable. It's lightweight makes it ideal for warmer weather and in its various choices, it comes with designs for formal as well as casual wear. Since cotton is moisture absorbent, they are a bad choice for sweaty feet.

2. Wool - Woolen socks are durable, warmer and affordable. They go well with suits and heavy fabrics like corduroy. However, cheap wool can be uncomfortable, so opt for the fine quality, good blends.

3.  Silk - Silk socks are generally blended with man-made fibers since they wouldn't otherwise be durable. These can be used for summers or winters. However, because of their high quality, they are preferred for highly formal occasions like black-tie events or such.


Jabong has some good sock collection for men. If you are a more brand and quality conscious man, you might want to take a look at Freshpair who has the classics as well as the stylish. A few brands like Hugo Boss don't ship to India though.

Image taken from https://mytrailco.com