Colorful socks have become a very trendy fashion accessory for men in the past few years. In fact, they’ve become so stylish, that men are opting to sign up for a sock subscription. The days of white socks as a fashion piece are over.
With the rise in popularity of crazy socks, a question that is frequently brought up is how to wear colorful socks. Below are a few styling tips when it comes to choosing the appropriate colorful socks for any outfit.
1. When Dressing Casual, Rock the Colorful Socks!
If you’re dressing up for a casual event (going out, casual Friday at work, etc), let your imagination run wild with which pair of socks to wear. There really aren’t any ‘rules’ when it comes to how to wear colorful socks.
If the majority of your outfit is subdued and doesn’t have any loud pieces, throw on a funkier pair of socks with a crazy pattern. If you’re ever unsure, as yourself how you’d react if your friend or colleague wore the same pair of socks.
2. Match the Socks to Your Outfit
Depending on if you’re dressing for a casual, semi-formal, or formal event, your socks should reflect the rest of your outfit. Casual events are perfect for crazier colorful socks. Semi-formal (or business casual) settings may still allow for slightly crazier (although partially subdued) socks.
In more formal settings (full suit and tie), it’s best to keep the color of your socks similar to that of your suit or tie. We've written up a more detailed guide on how to match your socks to your outfit here.
3. Matching Colorful Socks to Your Pants
For a more cohesive outfit, try to match your socks to your pants. You can find a pair of socks that has the same base color as your pants, or stray a couple of tones away from your pants.
For example, blue socks work well with blue jeans, and grey socks work well with beige chinos. However, louder and more colorful socks are more fun to wear – don’t be afraid to experiment with crazier patterns and colors when wearing socks with jeans!
4. Don’t Show Too Much Sock
Another recent trend in men’s fashion is the continuously decreasing length of men’s pants. Men are hemming their pants higher and higher, which is showing more and more of your socks.
However, something to watch out for, is making it look like your pants just aren’t a good fit (and showing too much sock in the process).
Make sure that your pants are hemmed to an appropriate length, and they’ll complement your colorful socks that much more!
5. Be Aware of Clashing Colors
While very bright and colorful socks are now the norm, be aware of wearing socks that horrendously clash with your outfit. For example, if you’re wearing olive green chinos, stay away from the bright red pair of socks (unless it’s the holiday season!).
If your socks clash too much with the rest of your outfit, the entire ensemble may just look silly.
6. Choose Your Patterns Wisely
If you have other elements in your outfit that are very loud and patterned, it may be wise to avoid patterns on your socks. Additionally, the pattern of your pants may clash with your socks. Don’t forget to look at your outfit holistically, and see any opportunities for elements to clash!
Another watch-out when choosing an appropriate pattern is the setting. Much like more colorful socks, it may not be appropriate to wear patterned hamburger socks to a very formal suit-and-tie meeting.
7. Only Time to Avoid Wearing Colorful Socks
If you’re dressing for a more formal occasion (wearing a tuxedo, or dressing up for a funeral), avoid the colorful socks. In the former instance, the socks may make the outfit appear tacky.
In the latter, lackadaisical socks may appear immature and out of place. Know the occasion (the majority of scenarios allow for colorful socks to be worn).
8. Let Your Socks Shine!
Ultimately, wearing colorful socks is about showing some personality and adding some spice to your outfit. Don’t be afraid to try new things – what’s the worst that can happen?
With a few exceptions, most socks that you’ll find can be matched to almost any outfit. Embrace a unique fun pair of socks. After all, “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different."
Are you interested in learning more about the different types of socks that you can buy? Check out our guide here, where we explain the benefits and drawbacks of cotton and polyester.
