How To Wear Colored Socks
Jul 08, 2022| How to Wear Colored Socks
With the popularity of crazy socks, an often raised question is how to wear colorful socks. Here are some styling tips when it comes to choosing the right colorful socks for any outfit.
1. Wear colorful socks with your casual clothes!
If you're dressing up for a leisure activity (going out, working Friday, etc.), let your imagination run wild in choosing which socks to wear. There really aren't any "rules" about how to wear colored socks.
If most of your clothes are soft and don't have any loud parts, go for a sleeker pair of socks with crazy patterns. If you're not sure, like yourself, how you would react if your friend or coworker wore the same pair of socks.
2. Match socks to your outfit
Depending on whether you're dressing for a casual, semi-formal or formal event, your socks should reflect the rest of your outfit. Casual activities are perfect for crazy colorful socks. A semi-formal (or business casual) setting may still allow for slightly wilder (albeit partially pastel) socks.
For more formal occasions (full suit and tie), it's best to have the socks a similar color to the suit or tie.
3. Pair colorful socks with pants
For a more cohesive look, try pairing socks with pants. You can find a pair of socks that are the same base color as your pants, or deviate a few shades from your pants.
For example, blue socks go well with blue jeans, and gray socks go 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 to wear with your jeans and socks!
4. Don't show too many socks
Another recent trend in men's fashion is the decreasing length of men's trousers. Men put the seam of their pants higher and higher, which is a sign that you're getting more socks.
One caveat, however, is making your pants look ill-fitting (and wearing too many socks in the process).
Make sure your pants are hemmed to the proper length and they will complement your colorful socks!
5. Watch out for conflicting colors
While very bright and colorful socks are the norm these days, watch out for socks that clash horribly with your outfit. For example, if you're wearing olive green chinos, stay away from those bright red socks (unless it's the holiday season!).
If your socks clash too much with the rest of your clothing, the whole outfit might look silly.
6. Choose your mode wisely
If you have other very loud and patterned elements in your outfit, it might be wise to avoid patterns on your socks. Also, the pattern of the pants may conflict with the socks. Don't forget to look at your gear as a whole for any chance of elements colliding!
Another consideration when choosing the appropriate mode is the settings. Like more brightly colored socks, patterned hamburger socks may not be appropriate for a very formal suit and tie meeting.
7. Time to avoid colorful socks
If you're dressing for a more formal occasion (a tuxedo, or for a funeral), avoid colored socks. In the former case, socks might make the outfit look tacky.
In the latter, slouchy socks can appear immature and out of place. Know the occasion (colored socks are allowed in most cases).
8. Let your socks shine!
At the end of the day, 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 you'll find will work with just about any outfit. Embrace a one-of-a-kind pair of fun socks. After all, "to be irreplaceable, you have to always be different."