Things to know to choose and match men's socks
With what logic to choose men's socks and what to match? To shoes? To the pants? To the jacket? Or something else? In general, if the tie must harmonize with the upper part of your figure and therefore with the shirt, the jacket and not least with the color of your face, the socks must tie mainly with the lower part of your body, therefore with the shoes and pants.
But precise: only mainly, that is, as a general rule, as your socks can also match the color of your tie, your shirt, or your shirt. But let's proceed step by step. There are four things or ways you need to know to choose and match your socks:
- Absolutely avoid short and white socks, with the only exception for when you play sports! However, know that white stocking is not entirely prohibited. It also boasts famous admirers like Giorgio Armani, but if you choose it it must be knee-length and you must know how to combine it very well. Maybe I'll tell you about it in another post.
- Always choose long socks that cover your calf.
- You can make a classic match, making sure that the color of the socks goes well with shoes, pants and jacket, or ...
- You can make a more fashionable combination by matching your socks to the color of the tie, shirt or shirt.
As for the quality, I advise you not to choose too thick socks, that is, with a composition based on wool yarns and to orient yourself instead on cotton and viscose yarns because they do not thicken the leg. Finally, make sure that there is always a bit of elastic fiber in the composition so that they do not come down.
So let's see what "classic pairing" means
Classic combination
The classic combination is perhaps the most obvious, but for this reason it is the easiest and most adaptable, as it is a perfect system for any occasion: from work, to leisure, to a special occasion, to the ceremony. It provides that the color of your socks is always in tone mainly with the color of the shoe, but at the same time also takes into account the color of the pants and possibly also that of the jacket. Here are some examples:
- And you are all dressed in blue, your shoe must be black, or dark brown dark brown and your socks in both cases (i.e. with both black and brown shoes) must be very dark blue.
- If you are dressed in gray, your shoes may be black or dark brown again, but this time the socks must be very dark gray.
- But if you wear a blue jacket with beige trousers and a brown shoe, your sock must be dark blue like the jacket and absolutely never beige or brown.
- If, on the other hand, your jacket is also beige like trousers, your shoes must necessarily be brown and that is the only case in which you can put on a brown sock as long as it is darker than trousers and a jacket.
In order not to be mistaken, fill the drawer exclusively with long, dark socks such as very dark blue and gray!
Fashion combination
If instead you want something different, which gives your look an extra touch of style, then you can look for a chromatic connection between the socks and the tie, or the shirt or the shirt. The color does not necessarily have to be plain, type: red sock with red tie. But it can also be a patterned sock with stripes or small designs in order to create a reference with the color of the tie, therefore:
- Solid color tie and sock with stripes or small designs of the same color on a dark background (gray, blue, brown)
- Patterned tie and plain sock of the color prevalent in the tie.
- Colored solid color sweater (e.g. green) and striped or micro - patterned socks in shades of green.
- The combination with the shirt is only valid if the shirt is dark, for example: blue, purple, gray, black or in any case if it is of an intense color. In short, it is not worth combining light socks if your shirt is light; in this case stick to the color of the shoe and the trousers.
You can also match the socks to the scarf, or to the color of the jacket design if this is in fantasy. In short, you can play it quite freely but it is important that you commit yourself to do some tests to avoid mixing too many colors.
To avoid this risk, when you are about to choose a colored or patterned sock, think carefully with what you want to put it on and possibly bring with you the garment you want to match, so as not to be wrong!
The rules of the perfect sock
Once they matched trousers or shoes, today it is almost anarchy.
Micro-pattern or solid color, cotton or terry? The sock has officially become part of those accessories that your wardrobe must be equipped with. If you didn't pay too much attention before, today, thanks to the length of the trousers, the sock becomes a real element that characterizes the look. Also because pairing socks is a small science. At least in the opinion of the old masters of style who dictated their guidelines as Tables of the Law. In summary, the fundamentals were two:
1-The socks match the trousers: if you wear dark trousers, the socks should have the same hue, or be of an even darker tint. The leg line should not be broken with color contrasts, but should continue harmoniously with few variations and no shock
2-The socks match the shoes: if you wear light trousers, however, you can choose contrast socks, always without overdoing it. In this case, beige trousers can be combined, for example, with caramel colored socks, as long as they get on well with the shoes.
And today? The best thing is to match the socks respecting the look, keep the old rules in mind and forget them from time to time. Sure it depends on the occasions, but why not mix the cards on the table and the style codes a little? Here are 3 tips for choosing the right sock for every look.
1. Sobriety or fantasy?
It is certainly the leather moccasin and the suit that require a sober, solid color sock, but perhaps with a twist like a contrasting colored border: a simple rule to avoid mistakes. If you want an eccentric touch to revive a classic suit, you can launch yourself on a micro fantasy, perhaps combined with a tie. An easy way to revive the fate of a tendentially traditional look. Attention to detail, especially in accessories such as socks, now really affects everyone regardless of age and seasons, becoming an element to play with and differentiate themselves from the crowd. We can say that in winter socks are undoubtedly a useful, functional and in some moments even essential object, but who said that you should only use it during the cold season? Protagonist on many of the men's runways for next spring summer, the sock is truly revolutionizing contemporary looks.
2. Thin or thick?
Colored and not, often, thin or worked, worn in the mid-calf and combined with the short shorts, the visible sock is trendy and popular especially among young people who walk through the city streets. Precisely in this panorama, the sponge returns to the fore and not only in the sports field. The strictly white sock with black details, which was originally associated with tennis courts or the basketball athlete, is now reported in everyday life and combined, both in the male and female universe, with a sandal, a slipper or in any case a shoe open.
3. Rows of all kinds
The big theme of the cotton sock is the thick or thin stripes, which are seen in all colors. The horizontal line, unlike the micro patterns that can be more elegant, has in fact a more casual, cheerful and easy-going flavor. It all certainly depends on the shades: the same fantasy with brighter colors can be more playful and fun. We find the same concept in the checkered motif which, interpreted in all possible ways, conveys opposite sensations if treated with soft or bright colors, with fine or less thickness. A universe, that of socks, truly boundless, which leaves room for fantasy and free expression in the many contexts of everyday life. Just choose the message you want to communicate.
And here are some examples of looks not to be mistaken.
Contrasting with a formal look
The formal look, maybe a three-piece, is the most difficult outfit to combine with socks, especially if you don't want to respect the rules too much. Choosing contrasting socks is not a sin, as long as the colors don't screech too much. To give strength to your choice you can also wear socks and pocket scarves of the same color. A remote call to demonstrate that you know exactly what you are doing.
Coordinated with a casual look
What if you need to choose the right socks for casual or informal looks? Here a world opens up, exposed to errors that you will naturally be able to avoid. With casual chic looks, more casual by definition, you can paradoxically remain faithful to the old rules. You are already playing with lengths, colors and fabrics in the outfit, you certainly don't need to go overboard with socks. Pair them with trousers in a darker tint, or with shoes if they are also dark.
Mix of prints for an elegant look
Maybe the look is formal but you don't want to get to contrast socks. In this case you can take the old rule and bend it a little to your taste. Choose respectfully darker socks than trousers, but not plain. A discreet print or fantasy is the ideal way to say: I especially like playing with rules. The ideal is to choose a print with no more than two colors, possibly the same ones present in the outfit. The effect is however orderly, and the eye has its part.
A great classic: the rhombus socks
The safest way to wear socks with a patterned print is to choose the rhombuses. Argyles have always been the passepartout of the man who just doesn't want to wear brown socks under brown trousers. And they are also the way to adopt a print by playing it safe, especially if the polka dots or other patterns are too exotic for you. Again, the right attitude is to follow the rules with panache: break the outfit with the rhombuses on the socks, but choose colors that match the color of the dress.
Surprise effect
If, on the other hand, your look is still an urban variation of the good old formal style, you can dare with socks. Contrast is the best strategy. Maybe you chose to dress in one color, playing with very minimal nuances. A subtle balance game that you can have fun sabotaging with one thing: brightly colored socks. It is not a true sabotage, it is a cunning that shows how well everything is guessed.
Contrasting on jeans and sweater
The Sunday look, jeans and sweater, probably does not require too many fantasy efforts. However, if you still want to bring attention to the socks, you can play with relaxation. Giving socks to trousers or dark shoes will always be fine. If you wear jeans instead of a pair of chinos, the choice is even wider. Jeans are suitable for all types of socks, the real reference in this case becomes the upper part. And at this point a new, inevitable question arises: do the socks match the sweater or shirt?
