Socks have gone off the rails the last decade, am I right? The fun sock trend barreled through mainstream style consciousness to the point that world leaders were wearing them. In the internet world of menswear enthusiasts, over-the-calf socks were hailed as the ultimate expression of the garment. And of course, going sockless or wearing no-show socks with dress shoes—even with conservative business dress—came into its own as well.
I dabbled with all of those things and I’m here to tell you where I settled, and to tell you what the best everyday dress socks for a good price are that I’ve found.
My favorite socks: Cole Haan Pique Knit Textured Socks
Mark Cho has quoted Antonio Liverano, famous tailor of his namesake sartoria, as saying that one only needs navy socks. Once I read that quote, it made perfect sense. So I wear almost exclusively navy socks, with very few exceptions.
I do not like over-the-calf socks. Most of my dress trousers have a very reasonable 16-inch hem opening, OTC socks stick to my pants in the calf area when I sit down, making it so that when I stand up I have to pull the pants back down to drape right again. This is not a stylish move. It does not make you look cool. So I personally say don’t bother with over the calf socks, unless you’re into really full-fitting trousers.
I prefer cotton-blend socks to wool-blend ones. For one, the wool blends always shrink, even when I take care to wash and dry them in the gentlest way possible. For another, I find some wool socks to be less forgiving in fit, some pairs occasionally putting slight pressure on my toes that becomes uncomfortable after some time. And they seem to develop holes sooner at the wear spots.
That said, most cotton socks aren’t good either. The ankle shaft is often loose or designed in a way where whatever elastic band is on there is weak, or stretches out, or it’s just an inch or two of elastic that doesn’t do its job well whatsoever.
So I have been exceptionally pleased with how a few pairs of the Cole Haan pique knit socks have held up for me for years. I got three or four pairs around three years ago, all just in navy, and not a single pair has worn out, stretched out or developed holes. To be fair, I haven’t worn them day in, day out with long walking during the day. But other socks I’ve had in that same time frame have worn down significantly more.
I love the texture of these socks for giving just enough visual appeal but not being an overt pattern that might clash with a pattern I might wear. They’re just snug enough around the ankle to stay up very well throughout the day. The elastic has not stretched out for all these years. And the toe seam cannot be felt—something most inexpensive socks are terrible for.
Macy’s has the Cole Haan socks on sale for $8.75 per pair using code VIP, until Oct. 4. Considering how long these have lasted me and how much I love them, that’s more than a fair deal. I personally ordered four more pair of navy, and a pair each in brown and black (the latter of which looks like a dark gray, a good match for gray flannels, etc.).
Cheers to tastefully covered ankles!
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