Mens Dress Sock Brands
Falke is a German brand, specialising in high quality and technically superior socks. Their classic dress sock is called the ‘Airport’, which has the finest cotton on the inside, and climate regulating merino wool on the outside. Their shadow sock is made from ribbed cotton with a 2 colour effect, available in classic and a large range of vibrant seasonal colours. Falke do not include any branding on the outside of the sock, and offer 3 size options.
Calvin Klein is a true lifestyle brand, known for its minimalist design and limited colour palette. Their range of classic dress socks includes black, grey, navy etc whilst their fashion range makes use of minimal colour and subtle patterns. All socks feature the CK logo, are made from soft Egyption Cotton and come in one size.
Duchamp-London is a premium men’s accessories brand known for dynamic use of colour. Duchamp dress socks feature striking patterns and bold colours, and are particularly well known for their harlequin pattern.
Simon Carter – Simon Carter is a true English brand, known for its quirky take on modern British styling. Their dress socks incorporate motifs and patterns, and are presented with a peg for ‘hanging on the washing line’.
Ted Baker - Bold and playful, Ted Baker dress socks will add some colour and personality to your formal wear. One size fits all.
Difference between casual socks and dress socks
All sock brand specialists (such as Falke and Pantherella) manufacture a range of dress socks designed to be worn with formal wear. Dress socks are worn with a dress shoe which is more fitted than a casual shoe, with less room for give. Dress socks are therefore designed with a thinner weave so that the shoe does not feel too bulky. In addition, they are worn for a more sombre occasion and consequently come mainly in neutral tones, in solid colours or subtle patterns. It has become more accepted nowadays to wear a more extravagant dress sock, with some brands (such as Duchamp) offering a vibrant and exciting alternatives.
Choosing the right colour dress sock for your suit
For a subtle or smart formal look, then a good strategy is to approximate the colour of your sock to the colour of your suit. Black, navy and dark grey socks work best with a dark suit, whilst light grey and beige/stone work best with a light coloured suit. For a more flamboyant look, try a pair of brightly coloured or patterned dress socks. The key is to try and match the main colour in your sock to a colour in your tie or jacket lining. This may be particularly suitable for a social occasion such as a wedding.
Classic Dress Socks and Fashion Dress Socks
Classic dress socks are plain coloured, whilst fashion incorporates design elements such as spots, paisley and stripes. All sock brands have a year round range of plain coloured dress socks in flat cotton (or wool) and ribbed cotton. Each season the brand will release its fashion range, based on the ‘in-colours’.
Dress Sock Sizes
Both casual and dress socks come in a classic height and a long ‘knee height’ length. On the continent (particularly Italy) suit wearers prefer knee height socks so that you don’t see the end of the sock when they sit down. This is less popular in the UK.
Most dress socks are made from cotton or wool, with a small percentage of elastene so the sock retains its shape throughout the day. Wool is a great insulator, and is a good option during the Winter. For extra softness and luxury, try Merino wool or cashmere.
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