Socks can be the most boring part of your overall outfit. Or, they can be the most annoying if you’re constantly having to pull them back up. But, it doesn’t always have to be that way.
List of 12 Best Dress Socks for Men
- Easton Marlowe Mens 6 Pack
- Marino Mens Patterned Dress Socks
- Boardroom Men’s Over the Calf Pima Cotton Dress Socks
- Marino Men’s Dress Socks
- Bonangel Men’s Fun Dress Socks
- Alpine Swiss Mens Cotton 6 Pack Dress Socks
- Dockers Men’s Classics Dress Flat Knit Crew Socks Multipacks
- OKISS Mens Dress Cotton Socks
- MUQU Men’s Cool Colorful Casual Socks
- James Fiallo Mens 12-Pairs
- Easton Marlowe 6 Pack Colorful Cotton Fun Bright Patterned Socks
- Gold Toe Men’s 3-Pack Metropolitan
In fact, you could add some color and thought into your sock game to better reflect your personality. And since most workplaces don’t have a rule against choosing your own style, no one can stop you from wearing colorful designs as opposed to the usual plain-colored socks most guys walk around in.
Wearing the right pair of socks can greatly improve your look and feel. Some people can even get a hint of the person you are by looking at what’s adding some flare to your feet. Because of that, we have rounded up some of the best men’s dress socks for a party, formal event, work and everyday use. These three are our favorite choices:
Quick Overview: Best Socks for Men
- Easton Marlowe Mens 6 Colorful Patterned Dress Socks – you’ll love the fun designs and colors of these socks. They also last long because of their quality craftsmanship. Even with all these good qualities, these socks are available at an affordable price.
- Marino Mens Patterned Dress Socks – These are also durable, comfortable and quality socks from one of the leading brands in the market.
- Boardroom Socks Men’s Over the Calf Pima Cotton Dress Socks – These socks may not be cheap but they are extra soft and durable with a reinforced heel and toe for longer-lasting use.
Factors to Consider in Choosing the Best Dress Socks for Men
a. Thickness/Quality
When shopping for dress socks, you need to consider both the thickness of the socks and the shoes you are planning to wear them with. The thick ones are perfect for shoes that are a touch too big. However, the same pair of thick socks might cause discomfort if your footwear are already tight enough. Aside from comfort, it’s also not good to see some fabric bunch up at the top of your shoes.
Traditionally, the more formal the occasion is, the thinner your socks should be. However, these days, it is perfectly okay to wear thick wool socks in any situation or occasion. That is, as long as they feel comfortable with your footwear. Also, if you prefer the thick ones, make sure that they will not look bulky around the ankles or distort your trouser cuff.
If you can’t decide between a thin or thick pair, just think of it this way: thinner socks look smarter and more elegant with a suit, while thicker socks are more practical in informal settings, especially if they involve physical activities since they provide more comfort to the feet and are better in absorbing sweat.
It is important to note though that thickness doesn’t necessarily reflect quality. The ultimate indicators of quality are material composition, design and construction.
b. Padding/Comfort
You can’t expect dress socks to be super padded or cushioned. However, the level of softness and comfort they offer differs.
For comfort, choose a pair that is made of soft material. One with a ribbed design is also generally comfortable to wear as it somewhat stretches to adjust to the size of your foot. Moreover, choose a sock with seamless toes as this feature provides extra comfort.
c. Style/Color
It’s fun to spice up your socks with exciting colors and patterns. Colors can give more personality to what you are wearing. However, there are certain rules when it comes to color and style of dress socks.
Even the most stylish sock will look out of place if their color does not complement with your wardrobe. If you want to play it safe, choose a pair that you can neatly and unobtrusively blend with your outfit. You can follow the traditional rule of matching the color of the sock with the color of the pants. That is, if you are wearing black pants, your sock should also be black. It is a simple rule and you can never go wrong with it.
If you are not the “play it safe” type of person and you want to experiment with colors, that is totally fine. However, for conventional business settings, socks that match the pants are still the best choice. If that’s not possible, a good fall-back option is a pair of socks that matches the color of your shoes.
Outside of a business environment, you can have greater freedom when it comes to color. That is, unless you are attending a formal event where the same old rule applies – no bold and bright-patterned socks with a black or white tie. Where a little playfulness is allowed, bright and contrasting colors look stylish and fabulous. However, for a great color combination, your socks should have a color that matches part of your outfit.
d. Material/Fabric
The type of material or fabric that a pair of socks is made out of has a significant impact on its performance and comfort. There is no shortage of fabric for socks, ranging from natural to synthetic fabric. Knowing the pros and cons of each fabric can help you make the right choice:
- Merino wool – This type of wool is breathable, soft, durable, cushiony and does not shrink. These qualities make for a very comfortable pair of socks. And because it’s breathable, it is comfortable to wear all year round. As an added bonus, Merino wool is also odor resistant. If you sweat a lot in the feet, bad smell is inevitable, unless you are wearing Merino wool dress socks. Because of its excellent characteristics, Merino wool is more expensive than other popular materials such as nylon, cotton and acrylic.
- Acrylic – Acrylic is considerably cheaper than Merino wool. It is a versatile fabric which makes it a good material for everyday use socks. Acrylic also provides good cushioning so it is quite comfortable to wear.
- Cotton – Cotton is inexpensive so it makes for very affordable dress socks for men. It is also soft and comfortable to wear. However, cotton traps moisture and does not allow it to evaporate quickly. That is why if you sweat a lot, this may not be a good choice of fabric for you.
- Nylon – Nylon is typically added with other fabrics to improve strength and durability and to enhance wicking.
- Wool – Just like Merino wool, other types of wool are also breathable, much more than cotton. The drawback is it is bulky and does not wick moisture.
- Silk – Silk socks are usually for formal and black tie events. They are typically expensive and do not last longer than those made of other materials.
- Spandex or elastane – Some dress socks contain a small percentage of this fabric to add stretch.
- Other synthetic materials such as acrylic and polyester – Polyester and many other synthetic fabrics dry fast. That is why they are often added to cotton and wool to improve wicking.
e. Length
The ideal length for a dress sock is one that does not show hair-covered skin between the top of the sock and cuff of your trousers when sitting down.
For formal settings, a good sock is at least halfway up the calf, but one that goes all the way to the lower part of your knee would be great. If you get a shorter pair, you’ll be at risk of exposing your skin when doing certain sitting positions.
There is a wide assortment of dress socks for men to choose from and it would be easier for you to find one that reflects your personality. It’s also a good idea to own an assortment so that you can have a pair that suits every event or occasion.
To help you choose the best dress socks for men, we have rounded up our 12 best products available:
1. Easton Marlowe Mens 6 Pack
Easton Marlowe Men’s socks are popular for their bold, bright, colorful and stylish patterns. They are not the “too crazy or too funky” type since most of their patterns have neutral main colors only with bright accents such as yellow, orange, aqua and purple, among others. If you aren’t afraid to mix and match colors, these patterned socks will look great on your feet. If you are curious of the available designs, options include polka-dot, paisley, stripes, zigzag and occasional fruit and shark.
Apart from the attractive designs, these dress socks have a durable elastic cuff to stay up. The elasticity of the cuff combined with the soft combed cotton fabric makes them comfortable to wear all day long.
Soft, durable, elastic and colorful are some of the winning features of Easton Marlowe patterned dress socks . You’d love to wear them to your workplace or any event where no one tells you what foot accessories you can or cannot wear.
Uses combed cotton that is stronger and softer than ordinary cotton
A wide range of colors and designs available
Available in different sizes
Elastic and comfortable to wear
They seem to run big
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2. Marino Mens Patterned Dress Socks
Marino Men’s Patterned Dress Socks is a blend of 80% cotton, 10% nylon and 10% spandex. The right combination of materials gives these socks the softness of cotton and durability of nylon and spandex. Moreover, they are easy to wear and they stay up throughout the day. And even with repeated washings, these mid-calf socks sustain their aesthetics. These qualities make these socks ideal for all-around and everyday use.
If you order this product, you get five colorful pairs in striped patterns. While the colors are vibrant, they are not the daring type that you’ll be intimidated to use in business settings. In fact, these patterned dress socks suit well those who don’t want to go for bold and loud designs but prefer a more classic look. These socks are great for office and casual use.
They wash well
They stay up for as long as you use them
Soft and comfortable due to the cotton fabric
With 180-day warranty
Only available in striped design
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3. Boardroom Men’s Over the Calf Pima Cotton Dress Socks
The Boardroom Men’s Dress Socks is well-made and woven from some of the finest materials available. It just shows that they live up to their name as the brand is popular for their quality products.
These socks use Pima cotton with 3% spandex. Pima cotton is one of the best materials for socks as it is extraordinarily soft, durable and lustrous. Spandex enhances the durability and elasticity of this product. To further elevate the quality, they also come with vertical ribbing to allow the socks to hold tightly on your feet. This in turn prevents the fabric from bunching up at the ankles.
If you are the type who follows the traditional rule of matching colors, these socks were meant for you. They are also ideal for those who prefer classic or plain-colored socks. Color choices include black, dark navy, gray, khaki, rust orange, olive and dark purple. Most of these colors are a safe choice for formal attire.
With reinforced heel and toe for longer-lasting use
Extra soft due to the use of Pima cotton
Ribbed design that makes them stay up
The price is a bit expensive
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4. Marino Men’s Dress Socks
Marino is a brand known for their quality socks with vibrant colors and fun designs, and this product does not fall short of that expectation. This set comes with 12 pairs with unique and bold designs that go beyond the traditional button-down office. With three or more color combinations in a sock and designs such as dots, squares, stripes and paisley, you get to have pairs that show a little personality with varying moods.
Apart from the designs, the winning feature of these socks is its overall craftsmanship. Majority of the fabric used is cotton, with 10% spandex and 10% polyester. This combination makes a soft, durable and snug fit. You can wear them for many hours without worrying that the cuff will go down anytime.
If you are looking for men’s dress socks for everyday use, this product is a good choice. That is, if you don’t mind the fancy designs and bold colors. It also makes a great gift for someone with a funky and fun personality.
With reinforced toe tip
They stay up
Soft, breathable and durable
Sag-free design on the cuff
With 180-day warranty
The designs are not ideal for formal events
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5. Bonangel Men’s Fun Dress Socks
For those who love funky, Bonangel has some excellent options for you. Their socks are not only funky but are also versatile as they can among others complement casual pants, office attire and party costumes. Unsurprisingly, they also match perfectly with summer shorts, sneakers and slippers.
What makes these Bonangel socks extremely versatile are their quality materials and wide range of designs such as the classic argyle, diamond, stripes and polka dots, in contrasting or complementary colors. What’s best about these designs is that they are knitted into the fabric so that they will not stretch but will still look good even with frequent use.
The materials, on the other hand, combine cotton and 15% nylon and 5% spandex. As a result, you get fairly comfortable cotton socks that are more durable than pure cotton and with effective wicking ability due to the addition of spandex and nylon.
With Bonanggel men’s dress socks, you can now show how happy, amused, cheerful and ecstatic you are every day of the week.
With satisfaction guarantee
Fun designs and bright colors
Snug fit
Wick moisture effectively
A bit thick, which are not ideal if your shoe is already tight
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6. Alpine Swiss Mens Cotton 6 Pack Dress Socks
Made from 73% Cotton, 26% Polyester and 1% Elastane, the Alpine Swiss Mens Cotton Dress Socks are also a great addition to your assortment of classic style accessories. By classic, we mean socks with conservative designs, muted colors and traditional crew length. If you are the type who goes for a classic look, you may want to check out these dress socks from Alpine Swiss.
Just like many other cotton socks, these pairs are also comfortable to wear. They even have ribbed cuffs that allow the fabric to fit perfectly and stay up for hours of use. However, while you may be tempted to use them daily, it’s important to note that these socks are thin. This means that they are more ideal for occasional wearing and not for heavy-duty daily use.
Moreover, despite the addition of elastane, these socks don’t stretch as much as other brands. This can be both a good thing and a bad thing. It’s good since they remain snugly fit even with more use. But, if your feet are on the wider side, you may find them hard to get on and off.
Ribbed cuff makes these socks fit snugly
Soft and comfortable
Available at affordable prices
Cons
Seems to run small
Available in limited sizes
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7. Dockers Men’s Classics Dress Flat Knit Crew Socks Multipacks
They say that you can never go wrong with black dress socks, and that is true for the most part, especially if you are using these Dockers Men’s Classics Dress Flat Knit Crew Socks. These socks look elegant with just about any jeans or pants. We recommend thes to go with business or formal wear. But if you prefer to use them for casual or office settings, that is completely acceptable.
Quality wise, these Dockers men’s dress socks have a nice fit and they stay up for as long as you use them. Since they are made of 83% polyester with only 15% cotton and 2% spandex, these socks are very efficient in controlling moisture and in keeping you dry. The same fabrics allow these socks to contour on your legs, ankles and feet. However, they are not as soft and comfortable as you would expect from cotton socks.
Durable
Provides just the right fit
Well made
Keeps your feet dry
A bit thin
Not as comfortable as other socks made with cotton
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8. OKISS Mens Dress Cotton Socks
OKISS Mens Dress Cotton Socks Fashion Patterned Argyle Socks offer dignified and conservative styles to offbeat and everything in between. These classy socks are a blend of 76% combed cotton, 2% spandex and 22% polyester.
Combed cotton is far softer and comfortable than regular cotton so you can expect these socks to feel nice and comfy. The issue with cotton is that they don’t have the ability to provide structure and warmth, but polyester does. Moreover, spandex helps these socks stay fit and up and not in the ankles where they don’t belong.
These OKISS Mens Dress Socks are ideal for the adventurous and funky professionals. The extra comfort that these socks offer as well as the fact that they are also anti-bacterial, anti-beri-beri and anti-friction, will make a big difference in your daily adventures.
Highly comfortable
Stays up even with regular use
Durable
The distance between the heel and the top of a sock is a bit short
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9. MUQU Men’s Cool Colorful Casual Socks
Come summertime and you want to dress up for the season, what better way to complement your attire than wear socks with cool sunny colors adorned with just about any design. MUQU is a brand that can offer you what you are looking for. They have many cool designs such as food, pineapples, landscapes and graffiti street style among others. Their socks are right for you if you want something that you can confidently use with casual, athletic or formal shoes, and even with men’s sandals. MUQU Men’s Cool Colorful Casual Socks will not fail to brighten up your day, summertime or not.
Aside from the noticeable colors and designs, you’d also love the softness of these socks as they are made mostly of combed cotton. To compensate for the weakness of cotton, they added 20% synthetic fabrics to make these socks more elastic and easy to dry.
Most pairs are multi-colored with fun designs
Soft and comfortable
A good choice if you are on a budget as it is more affordable than many other brands
A bit on the thin side, which is not ideal for heavy use
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10. James Fiallo Mens 12-Pairs Funny Funky Crazy Novelty Colorful Patterned Dress Socks
These James Fiallo Mens Dress Socks are made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex. From the fabrics used, you can tell that these socks are very resilient and can withstand more frequent use. High quality polyester fabrics also dry fast, hold their shape and do not easily shrink. All these are good-to-have qualities, which make these socks a good choice for those who care more about quality.
While polyester has many good qualities, one drawback is that it doesn’t produce rich colors. But looking at the pairs of James Fiallo dress socks, you will notice that they don’t have dull or faded colors at all. What’s more noticeable are the unique and fun designs such as tropical, nautical, argyle, stripes and crazy color blocks among others. If you want an assortment of socks that are a bit classic, bold, daring and anything in between, you got to order this product.
12 pairs come in a budget price
Holds up on the ankles better than many other brands
Wide assortment of designs are available
Colors are not as vibrant as those in cotton socks
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11. Easton Marlowe 6 Pack Colorful Cotton Fun Bright Patterned Socks (different from #1)
This product has some of the best men’s dress socks from Easton Marlowe, a brand known for their bold, bright and stylish patterns. Also, just like other socks produced by the same brand, these ones are made from combed cotton which is among the sought-after fibers for their extra softness and comfort. You can just imagine how comfy these socks would feel on your feet.
Easton Marlowe produces different designs and this set comes with gradient patterns with bright hues that reflect a happy mood. They can definitely add some color to your day-to-day activities. Additionally, the length can go up below your calf which makes it a great choice if you do a lot of moving and going about, as it can hide whatever you don’t want to show off regardless of your sitting position. These socks go well with typical office suit or casual wear.
Holds tight on the cuff to keep it up
Soft and comfortable to wear
Vibrant colors that reflect a happy mood
A bit on the big side
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12. Gold Toe Men’s 3-Pack Metropolitan Over-The-Calf Dress Socks
If you feel more comfortable with a high dress sock that go over the calf, this product is perfect for you. The length of these dress socks that cover the knee are ideal for formal settings. That is why it’s good to have a set or two of Gold Toe men’s dress socks in case you get invited to a black tie event or you need to dress up for an important appointment where you want to project a more conservative look.
These calf socks are made of 99% nylon and only 1% spandex. That explains why these socks are silky, lightweight and highly elastic. Nylon is also a strong fabric which can withstand a good deal of wear and tear, even if you wear them on a daily basis. The design of these socks also incorporates a ribbed construction that stretches when needed so that they stay up and feel comfortable around your feet throughout the day.
Very strong, durable and elastic
Lightweight, so it is not burdensome to wear
Snug fit
Nylon is not as soft and comfortable as cotton or wool
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When you are trying to search for dress socks for men, it’s good to consider not just the price but more importantly their quality, comfort, color, fabric and length as they dictate where you can wear them or how comfortable they feel.
Just a tip though when shopping online: since you can’t hold the socks to see if they are soft to the skin, it’s a good idea to check the fabric it is made out of. Wool and cotton are typically softer and more comfortable than synthetic fabrics.
Checking some of the best dress socks in the market based on the five factors above, one brand stands out — the Easton Marlowe Mens 6 Colorful Patterned Dress Socks. These socks combine unique patterns and style, vibrant colors, comfort, and quality craftsmanship. With great attributes plus their affordable price, you’ll not regret getting them as your versatile everyday socks. I
