24 Dress Socks That Can Upgrade Your Formal Fits

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THERE WAS a time when dress socks were boring, uncomfortable foot covers that you had to slip on for work. But nowadays, some of our favorite sock brands have made great strides in looks and comfort. Nowadays, some of the best dress socks for men are worth wearing all the time.

If you want a 24/7 type of dress sock, the best dress socks for men should be made in fabric blends that are moisture-wicking, breathable, and soft—most of them are either cotton or wool socks. The best dress socks for men need to also incorporate elastic materials that will retain the shape of the socks and help them stay in place without causing discomfort or slipping down your legs.

When it comes to style, the best dress socks for men fall into one of two categories depending on the occasion. For more formal occasions like black tie events, the best dress socks should stick to solid dark colors, especially when your outfit or dress shoes contain bold patterns, to keep your formal fits from looking too busy. For more casual outfits, the best dress socks will come in a splash of texture and patterns such as dots, stripes, and other classic geometric patterns to elevate your look—timeless patterns like paisley and florals are also failsafe choices.

To help you keep your feet—and your whole style—looking sharp, we assembled a list of the best dress socks for men out there that work way beyond formalwear.

Silver Extended Crew Dress Sock

These dress socks from Mack Weldon look cool in a way that goes just as well with a suit as they do with jeans and sneakers. With ten color options to choose from, you can find more than a couple to upgrade your rotation. While they look nice, the best part about these socks is their odor-fighting properties. Mack Weldon infused the Pima cotton with silver fibers that are naturally antimicrobial. They're using a little basic chemistry to keep your feet smelling good all day. We also love how they absolutely will stay on and won't slide down even after a whole day of wear.

All-Purpose Performance Calf Socks

From the ankle down, Bombas built socks out with all the features you would see in high-end athletic or running socks. They have arch support, moisture management, extra padding in high-pressure areas, and seams removed to avoid chafing. From the ankle up, however, they look like traditional dress socks and come in white, black, or heather charcoal. If you need to be on the move or just on your feet for long periods of time, these are the dress socks you want on your feet. The Stay-Up tech also prevents these socks from sliding down. They're also very versatile since they're sports socks at heart, meaning you can wear them right from the office to the gym.

Anchor Socks

J.Crew has an impressively large variety of foolproof dress socks on hand at any given time. The label's offerings range from timelessly classy like polka dots and stripes, to sporty and fun like dogs and beach balls. If we had to pick just one pattern though, it would be the red, white, and gray anchors on a cream background. This pattern has been in J.Crew's stock for years because it is different enough to stand out, but classic enough to match everything. Performance-wise, we love how well-fitted they are on our feet, and how the fabric is breathable and lightweight without being thin.

Super Soft Crew - 3 Pair Pack

These 3-packs of dress socks from Amazon are an incredible value. They offer a great range of patterns and colors that are all simple and versatile and feature an extra wide elastic band at the top to prevent any slipping down your ankle. A thin and lightweight fabric blend will keep your feet from overheating. If you need to stock up on dress socks fast and on a budget, a few packs of these will do the trick. In our testing, we found that the knit cushioning of these socks was able to provide all-day comfort even in stiff dress shoes, and we love how soft they feel even though they're slightly thicker than most dress socks.

Supersoft Dress Socks

These dress socks are game-changers, and we found them to be extra friendly when you’re sporting a full suit. Made in Pima cotton that’s lightweight, smooth, and soft, Bonobos’ dress socks are comfortable to wear all day long and will retain their shape after several wash and dry cycles. They also pack extra cushioning into the footbed for added support. The fabric is also built with mesh ventilation, meaning it’ll keep your feet cool and dry even in stiff dress shoes. Available in over a dozen colors that all will match well with your dress pants, these dress socks definitely won't stick around till laundry day before they see action.

Argyle Dress Crew Socks 3 Pair Pack

In short, the argyle pattern—consisting of varicolored diamonds and taking after the tartan of a clan in Scotland—is all about class and sophistication. These Polo Ralph Lauren argyle dress socks also boast craftsmanship, durability, and comfort. They come with built-in heel and toe reinforcement to not only last longer but also amp up the comfort with each wear and even each step. Built with odor-fighting technology, these dress socks will also stay fresh for a whole day. We also love how smooth the toe seam feels, which lends an even cozier wear. Styling-wise, we love how good these argyle dress socks look with chinos, khaki pants, and even jeans.

Pique Textured Crew Socks

Cole Haan makes some of the most comfortable dress shoes out there, so of course the brand knows how to make the best dress socks for all kinds of Oxfords, derby shoes, or tuxedo shoes you’ll be wearing for hours on end. Made in combed cotton, these socks will feel extra soft on your feet while offering a reliable protective layer against the shoe’s interior. And, as we found in our testing, the blend of polyester and nylon also renders it moisture-wicking and quick-drying. We also love how snugly they fit onto our feet while keeping our toes cozy.

'Signature Stripe' Socks Three Pack

You can always count on Paul Smith to have fun with colors. So if you're in the market for some bold dress socks that will stand out any time your ankle peeks through, these are the socks for you. They come in a three-pack with two bright color varieties and a muted option of dark colors, cause we can't have fun all the time. Plus, they're made in Italy from a cotton blend fabric that is durable and breathable. If you're rocking loafers and/or cropped pants then these will certainly draw attention in the best way.

Merino Crew Sock

Peter Millar’s dress socks are made with all the natural benefits of merino wool—moisture-wicking, quick-drying, breathable, and thermo-regulating—in styles that will look on par with your best suit pants and dress shoes. The merino wool they used is soft and actually smooth instead of itching on your skin. We also love that these socks come with a padded back feel and toe that ensure they will last wear after wear but also provide adequate support where needed the most. The blend of nylon and spandex makes these dress socks stretchy and athletic-friendly too, meaning you’ll have no problem walking and traveling in them.

Windsor Wool Over-The-Calf Dress Socks, 3-Pairs

Sometimes you're confronted with an occasion that requires classic, simple black dress socks that come in traditional, very high ankle designs that go all the way over your calf. Gold Toe is probably the brand that your dad wore to work and they're just as dependable today. Made from a slightly thick blend of wool and nylon, these long dress socks boast AquaFX Moisture Control that helps wick away sweat throughout the coverage area to help you stay fresh, cool, and dry. The ribbed construction also provides extra support and warmth, while the stretch will help the socks fit perfectly on your feet. We also love the reinforced toe that ensures no hole, wear, or tear will happen for a long time.

Mid Length Bamboo Socks

CDLP’s bamboo dress socks feel cool to touch, are incredibly breathable, and will keep you feet smelling fresh even in the most unbearable dress shoes. With reinforced toe and heel, they also last despite being thin and light.

Wool-Silk Blend Flecked Socks

The classic flecked patter each of these socks dons leans on the more laidback side, so while they’re not ideal for the most formal occasions, for dressing up on your weekend dates or fun business casual and cocktail attire, they’re a foolproof. The fabric is also very soft and stretchy, thanks to the silk-wool blend.

Cotton Dress Socks (4-Pack)

These mid-ankle dress socks from Quince are dependable basics that look great. They also have a cushioned footbed and arch support, a stay-put cuff and flat knit leg construction that won’t slide down, and chafeless toe seams. Great for everyday wear.

Men's Patterned Socks

The dress socks from Amazon Essentials come in several different 5-packs, each one with 5 unique patterns. This stripes and dots set is classic enough to match everything but there are much more playful options if you're up for it.

Cashmere Socks

Are cashmere socks a necessity? If you said no, then you've probably never worn a pair during the colder months. They're like a soft, cozy little hug for your feet. Alex Mill makes cashmere socks with good color selections at a very reasonable price. So reasonable that you can definitely rationalize treating your feet to this luxury.

The only draw back is that cashmere socks are more delicate than other fabrics, as you would expect. So you don't want to wear them with heavy dress boots or leather shoes that will cause a lot of wear on the fabric. Stick to sneakers, slippers, or wearing them around the house.

Long Staple Cotton Socks

These dress socks are made in England, not far from Sunspel's headquarters. They're made from a long staple cotton—meaning more strength and durability than standard cotton—blended with nylon for stretch. They come in four colors, all with a simple white stripes. Not only are these socks built to be comfortable and last a long time, but the simple pattern means you can wear them with everything from a suit to sweatpants and slides.

Airport Men Socks

If you've ever been stuck in an airport, or multiple airports in one trip, then you understand the importance of good socks during travel. Falke engineered their Airport socks to keep your feet comfy during long hauls. They also come in a wide range of colors. Users on Reddit also highly recommend them since they ensure softness and lightweight comfort, and are ideal for various occasions, from office wear to formal events.

V1 Crew Sock

Vuori may be known for their athleisure apparel but their socks are built for extreme comfort—anti-odor and moisture-wicking—on any occasion.

Cotton Waffle Crew Socks

The waffle knit used in these dress socks from RoToTo provides extra breathability and stretch compared to standard sock knits.

Big Dot Gift Set

If you're looking to make a statement with your dress socks, then Happy Socks is a good place to start. They offer affordable 4-packs and this particular option is about as tame as they come.

Ribbed Cashmere-Blend Socks

If you really want to show your feet the good life, outfit them in these cashmere blend dress socks from Mr. Porter's in-house brand.

Boot Socks

These winter socks are made from soft, smooth, warm wool that’ll keep your feet cozy and toasty all day long. They also boast all the natural properties of wool and are incredibly stretchy. As socks for boots, they go with your best-rugged look.

Patterned Cotton Rich 3 Pack Socks

These cotton dress socks from Charles Tyrwhitt provide an understated pop of color. With seamless toe, perfect stretch, and a soft and breathable fabric, they can be worn all day long under wedding shoes and brogues.

Lightweight Cotton Blend Crew Socks (8 Pack)

Quality dress socks at $5 a pair? Sign us all up. These CK socks are soft, will stay put, come with reinforced toe and heel, and can wick away sweat while reducing friction. And the styles they come in—from dots to stripes—will definitely elevate your look.

How to Style Dress Socks for Men

When done right, styling dress socks will add a subtle yet impactful twist to your fit. To do so, dress socks should coordinate with your outfit—for a classic and formal look, go for socks that are the same color as your trousers; in more casual settings, you can experiment with complementary or contrasting colors. Patterned dress socks are also great for popping up your look, though you should make sure the patterns don't clash with other elements of your attire. (Stripes, dots, and subtle geometric designs like argyle are classic versatile choices.)

Also consider the occasion: Solid, dark-colored dress socks are appropriate for formal occasions, while more colorful or patterned socks are suitable for casual or business casual settings. Length matters as well: Over-the-calf socks are the most formal option and often are worn with suits to look polished, while mid-calf socks are versatile and suitable for a range of attire or dress codes. Lastly, ensure your dress socks match your shoes in terms of formality and style. For dress shoes, thinner, sleeker dress socks are your best bet, while casual shoes like loafers or sneakers can use thicker and more casual-looking dress socks.

How We Selected

To curate the best dress socks for men, our editors and writers have personally tried on and tested a variety of styles, such as attending casual weekend hang-outs in Cole Haan's dress socks, going to the office in Mack Weldon’s dress socks, or attending business casual events in Polo Ralph Lauren’s dress socks.

To get a feel for how these dress socks for men really felt and how they held up, we vetted our options by taking notes of their fit, comfort, materials, price point, versatility, and overall comfort. We examined whether they fit well and are true to size, whether they could be worn for more than one occasion, and whether they are comfortable to wear all day long in different kinds of shoes.

Read More About Socks for Men

Best No-Show Socks | Best Moisture-Wicking Socks | Best Compression Socks | Warmest Winter Socks | Athletic Socks

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