How Do I Match Dress Socks?

Matching dress socks can be tricky.

It's the age-old sock conundrum: Do you match your socks with your shoes? Or do you match your socks to your pants? What about the weight of the sock? And can tube socks fly with a pair of dress pants in a pinch? You can rely on some tried and true sock advice to keep looking your best when matching dress socks.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Hold the dress socks up to the pair of pants you are planning to wear. The shades should be similar. For example, a dark gray pair of dress socks work well with a pair of dark gray trousers.

2. Hold the dress socks up to the shoes you are planning to wear. Try not to match them too closely to the shoes. This causes a very unappealing monochromatic look, sometimes called the "booty" effect.

3. Pick the dominant color in dress socks that have patterns like polka dots or stripes, and match that color to your dress pants.

4. Wear a heavier dress sock with a heavier-weight pair of slacks or trousers. Match lighter-weight pants with a lighter-weight silk dress sock.

Tips & Warnings

• Never substitute tube socks for dress socks.

References

• GQ Magazine: Matching Socks With Shoes or Pants
• Mens Flair: Socks: Matching and Coordination