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This thread is for any and all discussion related to socks.
I'll start out with basic stuff. I like wool. Cotton absorbs but doesn't wick. Wool also retains dyes and shape better, in my experience. Over the calf height is best because they tend to actually stay up instead of sliding down, and it keeps the calf from being exposed. Call me nuts, but an OTC sock makes a difference against a chilly wind.
Some socks are flat knit, some completely ribbed and some have spaced ribs. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can elaborate. I find the flat to be less elastic, to breathe less well, and to be more on the formal side. The full rib seems more casual.
Wool socks cannot be machine dried, generally. This is a minor nuisance, but I find it worth it. Finer socks require hand washing, and I have no time for that.
The stock colors at a boring department store, at best , will be black, navy, gray, and maybe brown. The safe bet is to match socks to trousers for color, but black socks for black shoes is inoffensive to me. More interesting colors like dark green and burgundy are more spirited and add interest. Lighter blues can sometimes be used, and some will even go with violet shades.
Patterns include argyle, houndstooth, herringbone, and both vertical and horizontal stripes. Argyle seems sporty to me, but some people seem to think they are appropriate with suits. Same for horizontal stripes. Herringbone and houndstooth are more suitable for business, and generally come in small scale patterns with dark, subdued colors. There are other patterns, or designs, but they border on the novelty end and are off my radar.
Next!
I'll start out with basic stuff. I like wool. Cotton absorbs but doesn't wick. Wool also retains dyes and shape better, in my experience. Over the calf height is best because they tend to actually stay up instead of sliding down, and it keeps the calf from being exposed. Call me nuts, but an OTC sock makes a difference against a chilly wind.
Some socks are flat knit, some completely ribbed and some have spaced ribs. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can elaborate. I find the flat to be less elastic, to breathe less well, and to be more on the formal side. The full rib seems more casual.
Wool socks cannot be machine dried, generally. This is a minor nuisance, but I find it worth it. Finer socks require hand washing, and I have no time for that.
The stock colors at a boring department store, at best , will be black, navy, gray, and maybe brown. The safe bet is to match socks to trousers for color, but black socks for black shoes is inoffensive to me. More interesting colors like dark green and burgundy are more spirited and add interest. Lighter blues can sometimes be used, and some will even go with violet shades.
Patterns include argyle, houndstooth, herringbone, and both vertical and horizontal stripes. Argyle seems sporty to me, but some people seem to think they are appropriate with suits. Same for horizontal stripes. Herringbone and houndstooth are more suitable for business, and generally come in small scale patterns with dark, subdued colors. There are other patterns, or designs, but they border on the novelty end and are off my radar.
Next!
