Socks have come a long way from being just a fashion accessory to an essential part of our wardrobe. To navigate the world of socks, you must acquaint yourself with the sock dressing rules. After all, this small but mighty piece of clothing can make or break your look. 

With businesses shifting from formal attire to casual outfits, dress socks have become an integral part of the business-casual dressing code. Socks have evolved from practical needs that address a range of concerns, from protecting feet against blisters to moisture-wicking properties that keep feet healthy and odor-free.

Moisture in socks can lead to shoe damage and permanent foul odor. Wearing high-quality dress socks can protect your expensive footwear from damage and extend its lifespan. It is easier to clean and replace socks than replace shoes.

With the sock manufacturing industry growing by leaps and bounds, the latest technology has paved the way for moisture-wicking socks that absorb moisture but distribute it towards the outer surface, allowing it to evaporate. Sweaty socks are a thing of the past with moisture-wicking dress socks.

Several considerations should be taken into account when buying the right dress socks. Let us dive right into it and learn how to choose the right dress socks that meet your needs.

Things To Keep In Mind When Going Dress Socks Shopping:

 

• Sock Length

The primary purpose of dress socks is to cover your skin and prevent ankle-flashing between your socks and the cuff of your pants. A good dress sock should cover the lower part of your calf at the very least, so your ankles are covered even if you sit with your legs crossed.

Sock length is also responsible for how well the sock stays up. Traditional dress socks or Over-The-Calf socks retain their place and stay up better than shorter socks such as crew or mid-calf socks.

Dress socks or Over-The-Calf socks rest over the calf and below the knee, where the calf acts as an anchor to prevent socks from slipping and sagging. However, not all occasions call for dress socks, and mismatching them with the appropriate event and outfit can be overwhelming, irritating, and uncomfortable for the wearer.

Deadsoxy’s latest version of patented game-changing TrueStay™ technology keeps your dress socks in place and where you put them on the leg. DeadSoxy’s dress socks, made from the finest materials and our TrueStay™ technology, offer total comfort without the hassle of constantly adjusting your dress socks throughout the day.

• Sock Material

The hallmark of a great pair of dress socks is a blend of high-quality materials. While natural fibers such as wool and cotton offer unparalleled comfort, synthetic materials such as nylon can enhance your dress socks’ fit, durability, and longevity. At DeadSoxy, we use the softest yarn known to man, Bamboo, for our dress socks which is also environmentally friendly.

Let us look at some of the most common materials used to manufacture dress socks.

• Cotton

Cotton is the most popular fabric used in producing formal and athletic socks. Known for its excellent sweat absorption, Cotton struggles with moisture-wicking properties and doesn’t allow sweat to evaporate as quickly as other natural materials. 

Cotton is ideal for controlling sweat odor, provided you change and wash your socks daily. It is lightweight, more relaxed, and more durable than other fibers. Cotton retains its shape in the long run, and being cost-effective, most socks are made from a cotton blend.

• Wool

Another natural fabric known for its excellent breathability and sweat evaporation is wool. Wool dress socks are thicker and absorb less sweat, which allows them to provide warmth in icy conditions.

Wool socks offer warmth in cold weather and cool down feet in soaring temperatures. Since they absorb less moisture than other materials, wool socks are an excellent option for outdoor activities such as hiking.

While pure wool socks may feel thick and scratchy, with the current sock manufacturing technology, companies utilize a blend of wool with synthetic fibers such as rayon that makes wool socks softer while improving strength and durability. Wool socks are slightly more expensive than socks made from cotton or synthetics.

• Synthetics

The most popular materials for sock manufacturing are polyester, acrylic, olefin, and polyethylene. All these synthetic fibers deliver excellent wicking but lack sweat absorption. 

Hence, It is commonly advertised to steer clear of 100% synthetic socks unless strictly for athletic use. Synthetic socks are lightweight but fail to offer prolonged durability, breathability, and comfort, unlike their natural counterparts, which makes them an excellent choice for athletic purposes.

• Sock Color

Traditionally, solid dark colors like black and navy blue dominate the world of men’s dress socks. But, if you wish to experiment with the color of your socks to elevate your OOTD, it is always advisable to match your sock color with another complementary color from your outfit. 

Remember not to match the pattern on pattern and consider the overall aesthetic of your look so you can complement it with the right pair of dress socks. If you wish to play it safe and stay off the radar, it would be a good idea to match your sock’s color to the color of your trousers.

• Cashmere

Cashmere socks deliver a combination of luxury and warmth. However, remember that cashmere socks must be hand washed and shouldn’t be put in the dryer.

• Wool

Wool socks are itchy; however, that is only the case with coarse fiber found in vintage, hand-me-downs with heirloom or cheap wool. Wool offers excellent moisture-wicking properties, temperature control, and durability.

Select dress socks made from fine/ultrafine wool that blends easily with other materials. Wool offers excellent insulation and protects your feet. It can hold a third of its weight in moisture before feeling wet.

• Excellent Padding

The ideal pair of dress socks would offer padding that acts as a cushion and prevents feet from damage caused by friction against the shoe.

• Premium Fit

It is paramount that your dress socks feel snug but not suffocating. An ill-fitted sock will droop down, rub, and may lead to blisters on the feet. Additionally, ensure that your dress socks are slimmer than athletic socks to fit into dress shoes without being restrictive and making your ankle appear bulky. Pairing thick socks with dress shoes would cause discomfort and droop to the ankle and ruin the silhouette of the wearer’s trousers.

DeadSoxy’s dress socks include a flat-toe seam offering a seamless feel and arch support to keep feet in place inside the socks. Our dress socks keep your foot from sliding in the sock while providing a deeper heel contour for a sleeker, more secure fit. 

Conclusion

Dress socks are a specialized subsect of hose that is both a fashion and an essential accessory. DeadSoxy uses the softest fabric that is environmentally friendly to deliver the best dress socks available on the market. DeadSoxy’s dress socks are lightweight and thin and prevent your ankles from flashing when paired with dress shoes. 

Our Boardroom dress socks are ideal for more formal situations, whether at the office, on date night, or for dinner with a client. Pair these socks with your dress shoes or nice sneakers for the best experience.

Check out DeadSoxy’s “The Handsome man’s guide to Dress socks” to learn more about dress socks styling and selection.