Shopping for the best men’s socks at a time like this—when you may still not have an office to go to every day—probably isn’t high on your priority list. In 2023, the best men’s dress socks are actually simply the best men’s socks, period. They are no longer made of thin, itchy fabrics that sag around your ankles and tear at your heels after a hard day of walking. Instead, today’s dress socks are cut from materials with all the high-quality durability, exceptional breathability and super-soft goodness of fresh hotel bedding. They are engineered to feel as soft as your sports socks and stay up on your calves all day without completely suffocating them. They just feel ordinary well on your feet, regardless of whether you throw on loafers on the way out the door or padding around the house slippers.
And while they say you can judge a man by his shoes, the socks you wear give everyone (your boss, your Hinge date, your in-laws, the barista, everybody) knows you haven’t just bought smart oxfords– You have your shit together. The right dress socks help you look proper, show your respect, ace the job interview, keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
But what makes them the best? We’re done with the whimsical ones that look like airport carpets. Nothing sweet, nothing argyle (with few exceptions), nothing “new”. No, you need dress socks in solid colors and subtle patterns that work under cuffed tweed trousers, a pair of stiff jeans, and wild patterned pants. And they should make your feet feel great, even after 12 hours in heavy leather brogues. All 25 of these dress socks—from chic French socks to cheap and cheerful basics—check every box.
The best shopping guide for dress socks
The best all-around dress socks
So you might not be visiting that many airports at the moment. But the logic behind Falke’s signature airport socks remains the same. Constructed from a highly versatile blend of wool, cotton, polyamide and elastane, they’re engineered to keep your lower extremities toasty, cushioned and comfortable – even through a harrowing day of flying. When you don’t have a five-hour layover to suffer through, though, these tight knit numbers will treat your tired dogs right, and the buckets of available colors and a very respectable sub-$30 price tag will ensure your fits and wallets match. satisfied.
The best dress socks that even your old man will appreciate
Manyou’ve probably thought to yourself at one point or another, spying a gnarled toe peeking out from a hole in a pair of socks you bought a month ago: they really don’t make them like they used to. Indeed they do – at least at Pantherella. For nearly a century, the UK-based knitwear specialists have been sourcing quality suits and relying on top-shelf fabrics – like the cashmere-nylon blend they use here – to produce exquisite accessories of the highest order. This trio of can’t-miss options probably won’t turn heads in the office, but they will will make your dad so proud he’ll buy a stack too. And that’s much more important, right?
The best stink fighting dress socks
Haunted by your stench at the end of the day? Relationships with friends and family soured over your sour-smelling hooves? It’s time to bring in the big guns. Mack Weldon’s extra breathable dress socks are laced with deodorizing silver threads to help keep unwanted aromas at bay. (And they’ll look pretty killer peeking out from under a new-age pair dress pantsalso.)
The best workhorse dress socks
On your feet all day? Grab Gold Toe’s Harrington crew socks. No, they’re not as refined as the luxury brands above, but they deliver all-business vibes of chic ribbed socks with built-in cushioning reminiscent of your favorite athletic socks. Plus, for less than $4 per couple, you can afford to buy your golden toes by the dozen.
The best get-out-of-your-comfort-zone dress socks
Do you want to experiment a little with your socks? Start with Uniqlo. Their rib knit dress socks are shockingly well made (tightly woven, comfortably padded, super saturated in color) for a low, low price. Plus, they come in almost every shade you can imagine. Get teal! And eggplant! Neon pink? They will look great against gray or navy pants! If a color doesn’t work, you’re only out a few bucks.
The best winterized dress socks
If you’re reading this in the dead of winter, you already know the game. Every morning you find yourself debating how warm you need your socks to be – you want them to keep your feet from shaking in the slightest gust of wind, sure, but you does not want them to get so sweaty they start swimming in your shoes. So today we’re letting you in on a little secret: The solution to your perennial cold-weather conundrum is a pair of wool-blend socks that split the difference. Anonymous Isms are made from an ultra-soft wool-acrylic blend that contains a just one hint of nylon for extra stretch so you can enjoy the fabric’s warm benefits minus any scratches. The technical specs are impressive enough, but the moody color gradient is also a perfect way to add some understated pop to your office look.
The best dress socks to impress your sore-hip colleagues
We know what you’re thinking: Argyle socks … in 2023? What gives GQ?! But bear with us here for a moment, because these aren’t just any old argyle socks—and they’re certainly not the kind of fuddy-duddy socks that conjure up images of mahogany interiors and the WASPy gear of the country club set. They’re argyle socks from Marni, for goodness sake, which means they come awash in designer Francesco Risso’s crazy nuances, down to the subtly freaked pattern and garish shade of lemon meringue yellow. Mostly, though, they’re just a really fun take on a former office staple that’ll look just as good under pressed chinos or light-wash cuffed jeans. In corporate life, as in socks, the old guard isn’t always completely off-base – but it could certainly benefit from a fresh perspective.
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