Socks are an important piece of clothing, even though most men don’t pay much attention to them. Like your underwear, they are not only a visible part of our outfit and are also important because they are functional. Socks absorb our perspiration, protect us from abrasion and so much more. A bad pair of socks can temper your feet and mood, while a good one can go a long way.
Anatomy of a sock
Types of socks
By lenght
Mundo Unico Heel Sock
No-Show
The lowest sock height available that offers little or no sock appearance above the heel collar of the shoe.
Tab
A tab sock has an additional portion of fabric that protects the upper heel and Achilles area of the foot. Usually found on no-show and low-cut socks.
Low
Low-cut socks offer a modest rise above the shoes heel collar and usually stops at the middle of the anklebone.
Quarter
Quarter socks rise from the shoe to usually cover the anklebone entirely. Great option if you are experiencing heel blistering resulting from shoe friction.
Mundo Unico Dark Blue Execute Sock
Crew
Crew sock heights can vary but usually rise 6-8” above the shoe line. Best choice for cooler temperatures or if you need added lower leg protection due to rocks and brush, for example trail running.
Knee High
Knee high socks rise to just below the knee and cover the entire lower leg. These socks are usually associated with compression socks that provided additional performance and support.
By Material
Common base materials include cotton, wool, nylon and polyester.
Cotton socks
They absorbent and good for soaking sweat off the skin, but it doesn’t wick moisture towards its surface and it doesn’t allow wetness to evaporate quickly.
Wool
Breathes easily and lets wetness evaporate, is warmer, but lacks specific wicking properties for speeding moisture away from the body.
Synthetics
Such as polyester and nylon encourage wicking, but provide little cushioning for the foot.
Fine wool blend and cashmere
Ideal for dress socks for leather dress shoes.
By Style
Plain and Dress Socks
If you are more old school, plain or dress socks are the way to go! Standard black, plain grey and navy make the best dress socks, but even white socks can work depending on your outfit and where you are going.
Athletic Socks
Athletic socks are actually the best thing to wear with trainers, so you cannot see the sock yet your feet are comfortable protected by it when taking part in sport activities or even on a daily basis. They are moisture-wicking and will keep you cool.
Patterned or Colorful Socks
They are actually quite versatile and easy to style. A simple white T-shirt with either indigo or black slim jeans and a pair of low tops (black or white) will make these socks stand out, making your day more comfortable and stylish. Or you can even wear them with a suit for a more snazzy look.
How Can I Kick Up My Sock Game ?
If you are in a conservative environment or simply want to stick to the classics, match your sock color to that of your pants.
If you do match your socks to your pants, try to play around with texture to add a bit of visual interest while maintaining an overall subdued appearance. Ribbed socks are a great way to pull this off, and are available in virtually every neutral color on the market.
Should I go sockless?
We’ll leave that option to you! Although you may not think it, there’s more to wearing your shoes barefoot than meets the eye. Have you heard of invisible socks?
You like athlete’s foot, foul-smelling shoes and dicing with fungal nail infections, do you? Thought not. The point of going ‘sockless’ is to create the illusion of socklessness, not to suffer the squelchy reality that going barefoot actually presents.
Mundo Unico White Invisible Sock
Instead of allowing a pool of sweat to form at the bottom of your shoes, invest in a pair (or three) of invisible socks.
Well there you have it, a few simple styling tips and tricks that you can utilize the next time you’re picking out socks for your outfit. Just remember, once you open your mind to breaking the rules a little bit, the outfit options are really endless.
