Socks thread

Shadow stripes of all kinds are a great love of mine when it comes to socks.

The duck blue ones by Bresciani feature a grey shadow stripe, but what really gets my heart pounding is my navy blue & rust shadow-striped pair by Gallo.

I admit that sometimes I sit with my ankle on my knee at work, just ‘mirin this particular pair. And the hand-linked toes & heels are a thing of beauty.
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Shadow stripes of all kinds are a great love of mine when it comes to socks.

The duck blue ones by Bresciani feature a grey shadow stripe, but what really gets my heart pounding is my navy blue & rust shadow-striped pair by Gallo.

I admit that sometimes I sit with my ankle on my knee at work, just ‘mirin this particular pair. And the hand-linked toes & heels are a thing of beauty.
I'm pretty sure Fwiffo Fwiffo has a well paid job just doing that!
 
I'm pretty sure Fwiffo Fwiffo has a well paid job just doing that!
My assistant also occasionally takes part in this activity. Maybe it’s the case for Fwiffo as well.
One more thing to love about good socks - they create jobs and keep unemployment rates down!
 
Since Florisgreen is no longer with us, I decided to do my part in fulfilling the giant hole he left in our socks... I mean, lives.

I mostly own socks by Bresciani, Gallo, and Mazarin. Merino wool, linen, cotton lisle, a few hunting socks made of lambswool. Every single one is over-the-calf, and I have about 25 pairs combined.

Of these, I find the latter maker to be the worst quality, while I agree with The Shooman The Shooman on Gallo wool socks being absolutely amazeballs. I have had three pairs by them for +5 years, and they are as good as new.

I mostly buy socks in rather subdued colours, with a few patterns here and there. I found these on top of my laundry pile:
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Nice post Ambrosius08 Ambrosius08 when you experience Gallo socks the quality really shows. Sock making doesn't get any better than that. William Abraham might use more luxurious materials like sea island cotton etc, but I couldn't imagine the actual making being any better than Gallo's highest line.

Bresciani is a very nice sock, but Gallo is true highend luxury hosiery with a price to match. Gallo is impeccable, and such a high priced sock continues to sell in this world because people know how great they are. Gallo (tailoring line) is pure seduction....you can't begin to compare Bresciani with Gallo. Enjoy the luxury of a great sock maker while it is still around, see what sock making is really about. When you enter the world of Gallo, your eyes get opened and things are never the same again because you finally understand how socks really work.
 
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Shadow stripes of all kinds are a great love of mine when it comes to socks.

The duck blue ones by Bresciani feature a grey shadow stripe, but what really gets my heart pounding is my navy blue & rust shadow-striped pair by Gallo.

I admit that sometimes I sit with my ankle on my knee at work, just ‘mirin this particular pair. And the hand-linked toes & heels are a thing of beauty.
View attachment 41380

View attachment 41378

The Gallo shadow stripes are my favourite socks ever. They never cease to wow me. Sitting your ankle on your knee and looking at your sox becomes such a pleasurable activity when you have Gallo shadow stripes on. The look of the socks and the craftsmanship make it all worth it.

No photo can really do Gallo justice.
 
Mandatory apologies for the horrendous photo quality and dust on the socks.

Sharing my favourite sock brand so far - a brand called Sorley. These are 100% cotton made in Italy. The tag says they retail for ~USD35 a pair, I bought 6 of them in a sale from The Armoury 2 years ago at 50-60% off. 2 of them cannot be found, probably hidden somewhere or in my other apartment.

They are all OTC, retain shape well, don't trap moisture, and are simply comfortable to wear in general. I wear the camel pair by far the most because it's a colour I didn't have, and it pairs well with my casual trousers. I haven't worn the blue ones at all since I still have many old "business" pairs in rotation.

I must emphasaise these are probably the first actual "nice" socks I own - so can't really compare them to any other real brands. My previous ones were from brands like pringle, happy socks, undandy, Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, etc. The designer brands were actually comfortable, but were too short and not all maintained shape well. The other problem I have with some of my old socks is that some of them had too high % of synthetic material - they feel cool to the touch and have a bit more stretch, but they retain way too much moisture and I sweat way more than I normally would when wearing them.

Now these are my minimum standard when getting new dress socks...If I do buy any new ones in this lifetime.

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Yes, when better socks are worn it is impossible to go back to the old ways.

A small article on Gallo socks.

a more sophisticated and haut de gamme line appears, the Tailoring line. A revolution within the revolution. Two complementary aesthetic dialogues, to be worn alternatively, depending on the occasion. By all means these are socks to show off

No truer words said.

I wore my first pair of cashmere/silk/wool Corgi knee high socks today. A thicker sock that goes great with gunboats. Fabulous socks.
 
Had a choice between purchasing Lattanzi shoes or sox. A tough choice.

I eventually got around to ordering my first linen socks, and despite me trying to buy from https://meschaussettesrouges.com unsuccessfully for years, Journeyman Journeyman recommendation of using paypal. It worked!

Bought these to start with.
Bresciani linen socks 1.jpg Bresciani linen socks 2.jpg

Will probably order more Corgi winter socks soon to stock up. Also would like some more Gallo.
 
Had a choice between purchasing Lattanzi shoes or sox. A tough choice.

I eventually got around to ordering my first linen socks, and despite me trying to buy from https://meschaussettesrouges.com unsuccessfully for years, Journeyman Journeyman recommendation of using paypal. It worked!

Bought these to start with.
View attachment 42150View attachment 42151

Will probably order more Corgi winter socks soon to stock up. Also would like some more Gallo.
Do they mark the price down on the package Shooey, I want some of their Herringbone and Hounds models. I dont want to pay duty on them though.
 
Do they mark the price down on the package Shooey, I want some of their Herringbone and Hounds models. I dont want to pay duty on them though.
They ought to....the prices are crazy enough. Testing a couple of pairs, but 20 euro postage for those two pair. Comes out to $90.00 ASD, or $45.00 per sock. OUCH! None-the-less much cheaper than Kirby or Gallo with much lower postage too, but still costly enough. Sox are pricey things. I hate paying the bucks for socks, but if you want the good ones it's gotta be done.

In short, no, they don't mark the prices down.

Will report on how these linen socks go over the Christmas break. Gonna buy some Corgi while l still can. Will skip Gallo for the moment, too pricey....will only buy those socks every now and again.

My Corgi's are o.k, but aren't great. They stay up all day but are poorly cut (baggy around the ankles). Gallo are superb and perfect, but the prices are gut wrenching with high postage costs; still worth it though.

Bresciani aren't up to Gallo (tailoring line) in quality, but they aren't priced like Gallo either. Bresciani is like John Lobb rtw, a really nice decent sock. Gallo (top line) is like Lattanzi, it takes it all the way with the finest making.
 
They ought to....the prices are crazy enough. Testing a couple of pairs, but 20 euro postage for those two pair. Comes out to $90.00 ASD, or $45.00 per sock. OUCH! None-the-less much cheaper than Kirby or Gallo with much lower postage too, but still costly enough. Sox are pricey things. I hate paying the bucks for socks, but if you want the good ones it's gotta be done.

In short, no, they don't mark the prices down.

Will report on how these linen socks go over the Christmas break. Gonna buy some Corgi while l still can. Will skip Gallo for the moment, too pricey....will only buy those socks every now and again.

My Corgi's are o.k, but aren't great. They stay up all day but are poorly cut (baggy around the ankles). Gallo are superb and perfect, but the prices are gut wrenching with high postage costs; still worth it though.

Bresciani aren't up to Gallo (tailoring line) in quality, but they aren't priced like Gallo either. Bresciani is like John Lobb rtw, a really nice decent sock. Gallo (top line) is like Lattanzi, it takes it all the way with the finest making.
Just makes them to expensive for me, I can stand for the post but the duty pushes them over the edge. I can get good socks here for the same money but not in those patterns. Makes me a bit miffed but thats life.

Look forward to reading about your thoughts on the linen jobs. Never had linen socks but the texture looks great.
 
These babies have just landed, made by an Italian maker, Bresciani I presume. Took advantage of a buy 3, get 1 pair free offer. 22 euro per pair, 20 euro post. Which was super fast. Hoping they have a sale in January so I can snag a few more pairs.

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Linen sock report - Bresciani

As promised, my report on linen sox. The really good thing about linen socks is they are cooler in hot weather while keeping the feet reasonably dry. Apart from that, l am not overly keen on them because they feel quite rough on the feet; they don't feel as good as wool or wool/silk, or even a nice cotton sock, but what really matters is moisture wicking properties and coolness on a hot day.

***FIT***
If you are a scrawny runt just out of school with stick legs you will probably encounter problems (I know they are runty kids by how they talk). Geeky kids on S.F report problems of fit, ie, they bag around the ankles and fall down and clump up inside the shoo.

For me they stayed up all day but were slightly lose around the ankle and lower leg, but nothing that really bothered me. The fit is not quite as good as cottons or wools because linen is less flexible, but on the right type of legs they are still o.k. The thing that detracts from the sock experience is the roughness.

Linen sox are the best bet on a hot day, but there are compromises to be made, but so be it. Took almost 4 weeks to arrive from France. Nice packaging and a nice note written from the owner.
 
For me it is:

- Viccel for beater sox
- Bresciani for nicer days (Kabbaz argyles are worth it)
- Gallo (tailoring line) for my special days

Other special socks from the U.K are added for Winter, ie, thicker socks with brogues and shell cordovan shoes.
 
Ordered another 6 pair of these from Corgi. Nice and thick, and always nice to have a thicker sock for winter to wear with shell cordovan shoes and heavy brogues.
- 10% cashmere
- 10% silk
- 80% wool.

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Very difficult to find great socks that are interesting.

- so much stuff on https://meschaussettesrouges.com is high poly count
- so much stuff on https://www.bresciani.it/en is boring
- where are the nice purple wool socks?
- where are the nice thick winter socks for otc?
- where are the nice looking 90% wool sox?
- so many nice sox on Kabbaz site are one size fits all. 🤮
- Viccel make so many duds/dogs

The only seemingly decent place to get nice socks is here, but oh, those prices are so steep.

For the first time l can understand what William Abraham is saying. Almost impossible to get really nice socks anywhere.
 
Very difficult to find great socks that are interesting.

- so much stuff on https://meschaussettesrouges.com is high poly count
- so much stuff on https://www.bresciani.it/en is boring
- where are the nice purple wool socks?
- where are the nice thick winter socks for otc?
- where are the nice looking 90% wool sox?
- so many nice sox on Kabbaz site are one size fits all. 🤮
- Viccel make so many duds/dogs

The only seemingly decent place to get nice socks is here, but oh, those prices are so steep.

For the first time l can understand what William Abraham is saying. Almost impossible to get really nice socks anywhere.
What about Calze Sabas, did you try them in the meantime?
 
I have contemplated purchasing the world's most exclusive sock on numerous occasions due it being quite durable. Wanted to experience what it was like owning it, but still don't have the nerve to pull the trigger, and likely never will. None-the-less, some blokes have desired the `experience' of the NZ red deer sox as numerous pairs are sold out at $1,275.00

Would like 100 pair of vicuna and red deer sox for the winter
 
I have contemplated purchasing the world's most exclusive sock on numerous occasions due it being quite durable. Wanted to experience what it was like owning it, but still don't have the nerve to pull the trigger, and likely never will. None-the-less, some blokes have desired the `experience' of the NZ red deer sox as numerous pairs are sold out at $1,275.00

Would like 100 pair of vicuna and red deer sox for the winter
At those prices, that is a classic case of ' they see you coming'
 
At those prices, that is a classic case of ' they see you coming'

No so fast; it is like drinking expensive wine. Part of it is about the experience. Economically it might look like poor value for money, but value can be based on experience and perception for some people. Maybe knowing that red deer is rare and expensive can also add to the value for some people, and so can boasting rights. Maybe it cost a lot to make these socks given how rare it is, so maybe the `see you coming' (mark up percentage) factor is not as big as some people think it is.

Also,
 
Just bookmarking some amazing socks to add to my `must own' list. Will save these for my white and cream wool trousers worn with tan shoes.


Pretty nice `eh? Will only buy a couple every now and again. These will be the really REALLY special sox. Only to be worn with incredible outfits.

What is really good about William Abraham is that the shipping is cheap where-as the shipping from Gallo and Kabbaz costs an absolute fortune (three times the price). It makes the William Abraham dream do-able.
 
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I was going to give up on 100% cotton socks. However, I have taken advantage of Intimissimi 5 socks for £30.00 and gone for 5 pairs of 100% cotton lisle socks...

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Has anyone tried 100% silk socks?

Not yet, but these are on my list when the exchange rate improves. Silk socks are said to be like fine wine, very decadent. They feel good and look good apparently, but do not necessarily last long.

I will start off with these 100% silk socks. They will be my special sox.

However l will play safe and get a bunch of silk/cotton silk/wool combos like these for when l dress extra good:
 
Has anyone tried 100% silk socks?
I have. A while back. I got two pairs to go with black tie. One ripped the first time I wore it and the other was...ok. A bit clingy and almost sheer.

I prefer wool-silk in that context.
 
Viccel is now this company.


I still like their shadow stripe sox.

The navy Birdseye are nice too.

They are not as fancy as the socks put out by the great sock companies, but they don't cost near as much either.
 
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Here is a video on Corgi socks.


To me socks cannot be skimped on. Out of all clothing items, socks have to be top notch. I bought many Viccel socks over a period of years, and all those wool/silk ones l bought was a mistake. Viccel has terrible quality control issues, and it is much better to pay double for a longer lasting wool sock manufactured by a proper maker; the Viccel cotton socks are decent though. I will probably order Bresciani wool socks from now on, but only after the exchange rate is better. Gallo top range socks are now too expensive (49 euro +, and with exchange rate and postage it would be almost $90 per cotton sock). Good socks are such a luxury, but they are worth it. I can live with Bresciani; they may not hold a candle to Gallo's finest offerings, but they are good enough for me. My 10 pair of Gallo will be reserved for rare occasions. I will continue to stock up on Corgi winter sox.

Out of all menswear to buy, there is little more exciting to buy than good quality sox. Sure, bespoke coat etc are all nice, but sox are even more satisfying. Of course, top level shoes are the most special purchase of all, with sox coming second. Buying shoos and socks = so satisfying.
 
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Hi, first time posting here. I've been lurking these forums, particularlly the mock thread on Kirby Allison, which I had the pleasure of observing at the shoe trunk show in london. I would say hi, but having three camera men giving you stare is offputting, almost like his bouncers. Anyways, i bought some of those Gallo socks and they're super nice. I feel like they manufacture the socks for Fort Belvedere as they have near identical designs. Beats having to order across the pond anyways, because the import fees be like another 30% or some crap, I don't really know.

New here to these forums, been into classic menswear for the last two years. I'm someone who's in their early twenties and like giving the flash to my superior of you know what... my sockies. And if you go down the rabbit hole of looking for sock brands, you'll almost find a fetish thread for it, and its not the kind you want to find out.

Has anyone tried the William Abraham socks? That business seems so weird to me. It's registered in France but trades in US dollars. Can I not pay custom fees to the US when ordering made in italy socks? That's why I just didn't get the Fort Belvedre business model, why can't it cater for europeans too??? I'm no entreprenur, but that's what I'd think in doing. A new business entity that skips the deliver across the pond bit.
 
Unable to order any wool socks from the Bresciani website because they don't have an option to send to Australia (so daft). Kabbaz has limited options for wool as does numerous sites.

Just bookmarking these for when the ASD gets back to at least 68 cents. Finally gonna take the plunge for the coming Spring. I really want to experience what it is like to wear the best socks.









 
I was going to place another order with Falke, but then found this new site. They retail Made in Japan socks.
So I ordered 5 pairs made with 100% Egyptian Cotton at more than half the price of Falke...

 
I was going to place another order with Falke, but then found this new site. They retail Made in Japan socks.
So I ordered 5 pairs made with 100% Egyptian Cotton at more than half the price of Falke...

They also have a US website

 
I was going to place another order with Falke, but then found this new site. They retail Made in Japan socks.
So I ordered 5 pairs made with 100% Egyptian Cotton at more than half the price of Falke...

They have arrived. They feel really exquisite. Hopefully they wash well in the delicate cycle.

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I can't recall why I only ordered one pair of dark blue.
 

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