The Best Socks For All Occasions
Said from the perspective of a millennial who struggles with anything other than a trainer sock, here are the socks I've found that cover all bases.
Socks are an important thing. We need them in the UK pretty much all year round. Even during our (two day long) summers we need gym socks or socks to go with trainers. In fact, one of the things I love about coming home from a summer holiday is wearing socks (and having my feet on carpets, which I didn’t realise until recently is a very British thing).
If we’re wearing standard socks we want them to stay up - not sag around the ankle - if we’re wearing work-type outfits. In fact a saggy sock is never good, am I right? But then if we’re wearing a casual outfit, we might want a scrunch around the ankle… maybe? And then theres the not wanting socks to show drama that comes with wearing loafers (or if you’re over 30, trainers). Even worse the not wanting a white sock to show with a black shoe or vice versa drama. Then there is nothing worse than a trainer-sock disappearing down the back of your heel as you walk around. Actually there is; it’s when you have to take your shoes off unexpectedly in a public place and are forced to reveal some shocking sockwear. The absolute worst.
There’s also the choice of colour, or lack of. For me socks should probably be black if seen. Always black for work. Unless it’s a college sock, then you probably want them to be white with stripes (if any) that are a neutral or a common colour in your outfit palette. I read somewhere (wish I could remember where) that the best thing someone ever did was throw out all their socks and just buy 10x of the same pair and only have them. It did make me think, what does she do when she needs a hidden sock? But I’m guessing she’s younger than me and therefore part of the “we show our socks” clan.
Ooh, and how to keep them clean? Best tip I’ve ever had is soak grey-turned white socks in hot water with a dishwasher tablet overnight, and then put them in a standard wash (while they’re still wet). Does the job really well. I use Finish tablets, but I’m sure any will work…
Any way, I have grouped my favourites below, into best socks for under trousers, best trainer socks, best tube socks and finally the best thermal or cashmere (type thing) socks. If anyone has any others to add, please do so in the comments.
the best socks for work
This might be an unpopular decision (led by years working for a corporate company) but for me work socks should only ever be black. A flash of any calf is a weird one; someone it really works, other times it’s a disaster. I feel, if you’re in a formal environment, your socks shouldn’t end. As in, when you sit down you should either have invisible socks or a sock long enough not to show skin. This could be me being a child of the 80s, therefore a learning the ropes of office working environments in the 00s. But hey, these are my thoughts.
Everlane Ribbed Socks - You’ll see this brand pop up a lot on this post. These socks are brilliant, and are smart enough for work even though they’re ribbed. They stay up, they wash well, they’re not too warm not too cold on the foot. They’re a good length for anyone wearing normal length trousers (if you’re wearing cropped trousers I beg to ask, why are you wearing socks anyone can see?) and overall, just a really good option.
Amazon City Socks - I found these randomly while searching for something else and love them. They so everything you’d want a simple black sock to do and they’re super cheap. Firmly recommend!
CDLP - These are expensive but for good reason; they’re excellent. If you have the budget I can’t recommend them more.
Eodor Low Profile Invisible Socks - Having scoured the market for good ones of these, I think Eodor’s are the best. They’re super low profile - you could probably wear them with most ballet pumps. But the most important thing? they never fall off my feet even when I’m rushing about.
the best trainer socks
Apparently these aren’t cool anymore but I don’t care. I love a trainer sock. I will die in trainer socks. If this makes me past it then I don’t want to be present. This category has given me the most stress; nothing worse than a trainer sock bunching up and housing itself at the front, exposing your heel to be rubbed to death by the inside of a trainer. The worst…
Everlane Ankle Socks - Could easily make this entire post an ode to Everlane because their socks are just great. Less great is the cost to ship them to the UK, so buy in bulk or buy on offer (or just treat yourself to a pair of jeans at the same time, they’re ace, particularly the way high curve jean). These are great for anyone who has trainers with a high back, as they have the extra little bit to stop them rubbing. They also hold the foot, almost like a hug. I love them.
Ondo No Show Trainer Socks - I could have filed these under work socks too, but their branding is quite casual so I went with this instead… Sadly these guys only ship to the US and Canada - so - as part of your travel-planning when going to either of these places make sure you ship some of these to your hotel because they are the absolute GOAT. Seriously.
the best weekend/tube socks
On weekends I might go a bit wild and deviate from black. Maybe a… white? Ha. White with a coloured stripe? As crazy as I get. But hey, nothing wrong with building a uniform. Tube socks (ribbed socks) are my bag for off duty days, or cute little short socks (kind of like trainer socks but with a little bit more height). Here are my favourites.
Arket Sporty Cotton Socks - In my humble opinion, the best of the ribbed sport sock options. Classy, practical, long lasting… I love them.
Deiji Studios - These are just so lovely, beautiful packaged too so a great gift. A brilliant (and quite special) staple.
Le Bon Shoppe Her Socks - When you click on this link, you’ll know what I mean when I say the visual merchandising on these socks gives me shivers - but - I have to give it to them, these socks are the bomb. They look smart, they hold their shape, they wash well… 10/10. See also their tube socks here.
H&M Tube Socks - Love these, a lot. They just do the job and don’t muck about. They come in lots of neutral-ish shade variations too. Not much to say other than they’re just a good option…
Ralph Lauren Cable Socks - One of two RL products in this list. Enormous fan of their socks across the board but these in particular are great.
Uniqlo Short Socks - If you’re looking for a standardly-good sock, Uniqlo is great across the board (except their black work socks, they sag). These come in white, black, grey and if you’re wild, navy.
Bombas Vintage Trainer Socks - Another US only option I am afraid, so once again have these shipped to your hotel because they are awesome. Just so good. Why do the US have so many good sock brands?
Ralph Lauren Ankle Socks - I bought myself these last year and can’t tell you how much I love them. Just a decent, premium looking sock. Love them.
the best thermal/cashmere socks
So I love a fancy cashmere sock, I really do. But they’re hard work. They’re often too thick to go under regular shoes. It’s rare you find a pair that aren’t in a god awful bright colour. Then you have those pretty sure they’re made out of plastic fluffy ones that feel like a good idea at the time but ultimately make your feet sweat buckets and pick up every speck of dust it comes into contact with. Oh and they make you slip and slide all over the place. However, they’re still damn warm and when it’s damn cold we need them. So, here are my favourites:
The White Company Cashmere Sock - The OGs. The failsafe gift. The f*** they shrunk in the wash b*stards (the most first world of the first world problems for the English middle classes). However, some positives: They’re so warm. They are a such a good gift (no mother in law will ever be mad about being bought these). They’re aren’t too thick to go under boots. Everyone home should have a pair.
M&S Thermal Seamless Toe Sock - Now, the seamless toe bit is important because my gripe with M&S socks is they usually have too much of a seam and it hurts my foot. These don’t and are therefore excellent. Perfect for under boots or just to wear on colder days.
Free People Jackson Stripe Sock - These are a great option for anyone looking for a halfway house between a tube/weekend and a thermal. They’re really warm but they also look pretty good under a jean etc. There are a ton of colour ways I, obviously, would only get the white ones (possibly the navy/green) but you braver souls may want to lose your minds and go for a bright option.
Rosie Sugden Cashmere Socks - I absolutely love these, my only gripe is I wish she did the style she makes for men, for women too. The quality of these is second to none, truly. You won’t get better. Just… can we start a campaign for her to make the ribbed style for little footed women? Thanks.
Doen Merino/Cashmere Crew Sock - It annoys me how good these are because Doen is one of those brands that feels like a cult (that I haven’t been invited to join). A friend described it as “imagine a group Utah-like women go on a pilgrimage to St Tropez, they’d wear Doen.” They’re not wrong. Still, it would dishonest of me not to rave about these socks, and the price isn’t that bad. They don’t slouch either, they stay up.
And there’s my lot! If you have any other recommendations do pop them down in the comments!
Putting a pair of new socks on for the very first time is one of life's best feelings
I’m guessing tube socks aren’t socks to wear on the tube, but I can’t for the life of me get my brain to work out what they are. What are tube socks?