9 Best Dress Socks for Men at Any Budget – Blog of the Universal News Group

If shoes make the man, then you know everyone’s staring at your feet. And if you’ve got on impeccable dress socks, then everyone (your boss, your Hinge date, your parents-in-law, the barista, everyone) will know you didn’t just buy fancy oxfords—you have your shit together. The best dress socks will help you to look proper, show your respects, nail the job interview, and just plain stay warm. But what are the best dress socks? We’re done with the whimsical ones that look like airport carpeting. Nothing cutesy, nothing “novelty.” No, you need socks in solid colors that work under a cuffed tweed trouser and wild patterned pants. They should make your feet feel good, too. All nine of these dress socks—from fancy British heritage hosiery to cheap and cheerful basics—check every box.

The Best All-Around Dress Socks

Pantherella “Danvers” ribbed dress socks

Pantherella’s ribbed socks sit in our #1 spot because they’re knit from Egyptian-cotton yarn with a bit of nylon (it’s a 70/30 blend, if you want to get specific). The cotton’s soft but strong, while the nylon delivers stretch and grip. Fabric weights and finishes are something the company is obsessed with at their Leicester, England, factory (the site of the brand’s sock production for the past 80 years). Beyond that, they’ve got a not-too-thin, not-too-wide rib, which keep the socks from drooping down around your ankle; come in a lineup of rich, saturated shades that would make Crayola jealous; and currently clock in a perfectly respectable $16 a pop.

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The Best Wedding Day Dress Socks

Falke No. 13 Egyptian pima cotton sock

Why do Falke’s No. 13 ribbed socks cost nearly thrice as much as the already-pricey Pantherellas? They have the same great fit and calf-hugging shape, but are sewn from sweet, soft 100 percent fine cotton. That means more of the longer fibers, which means your dogs feel like they’re in heaven. If you can own a drawerful, by all means do so. If not, they’re worth the splurge on special occasions.

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The Best Workhorse Dress Socks

Gold Toe “Harrington” crew socks (6 pairs)

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 the all-business vibes of dressy ribbed socks with built-in cushioning reminiscent of your favorite athletic socks’. Plus, at less than $4 a pair, you can afford to buy your Gold Toes by the dozen.

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The Best Get-Out-of-Your-Comfort-Zone Dress Socks

Uniqlo color socks

Want to experiment a little with your socks? Start with Uniqlo. Their ribbed dress socks are shockingly well made (tightly woven, comfortably padded, super-saturated in color) for a low, low price. Plus, they come in nearly every hue you can imagine. Get teal! And eggplant! Neon pink? They’ll look good against gray or navy pants! If a color isn’t working, you’re only out a few bucks.

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Five More Dress Socks We Love

Falke Lhasa rib socks

A slightly more affordable Falke option, with a healthy serving of cashmere in the mix to keep you cozy and feeling fine on the chilliest of February mornings.

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Corgi contrast heel/toe socks (was $35, 17% off)

A little flash of neon goes a long way.

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Nike Dri-Fit classic cushioned crew socks (6 pairs)

The Swoosh’s signature crew has ribbing to mimic a dress sock, but enough cushioning to keep you comfortable through four hours of open-bar-fueled bad dance moves. And though it’s thin enough to slide into sleeker shoes—your loafers or oxfords—it’s thick enough to keep your toes warm should your fancy footwear carry you to freezing locales.

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Sunspel rib sock

Clean cream dress socks—especially ones as refined as these, knit from fine merino wool—with a pair of
shiny black Weejuns is still as strong a look as ever.

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