What Color Dress Socks Do You Wear with Each Suit Color?

If you need to know anything about wearing socks with suits, you'll find the information here. In this article, we'll cover:

●       What is the meaning of suit socks?

●       Factors to consider when selecting the best socks

●       What color socks go with my suit?

●       Do I have to wear socks with a suit?

People often underestimate the Dress sock. However, mis-wearing one could ruin an otherwise dapper outfit. Regardless of what you're dressing for a wedding, dinner, or the office, the right socks will make you feel like a proper gent.

What are Suit Socks?

Suppose you have searched all four corners of the internet to find men's business attire hosiery and have failed to yield any results. In that case, it's because suit socks are not a separate category of men's business hosiery.

And you are only in search of dress socks; the kind you wear with dress shoes to the office are likely all you need to complete your suit.

Things to Consider when Wearing Dress Socks with a Suit

It is a matter of a gentleman's etiquette that you know what kind of socks to wear with a suit, or formal wear at that. Consider quality, length, and style as you hunt for the perfect pair.

Luckily, we've got you covered. Here's how to navigate the sock-selection process:

Dress Socks Quality and Materials

We would recommend that you always wear wool or cotton socks. Both are premium natural materials, providing comfort and breathability that synthetics can't match.

Fabrics feel different, and you might have a preference. Cotton is lighter, but wool is slightly thicker; however, both materials provide breathability for comfortable wear throughout the day. The better the quality, the softer the hand, and it is perfect material for the warmest seasons, offering merino wool breathability with maximum warmth for your coldest seasons. Try to find dress socks with reinforced heels. They will keep the material from wearing out too fast.

Socks Length

There are two lengths to try when you're wearing socks with a suit. Over-the-calf dress socks are arguably the best, if only for their non-slip stay-up feature, which is why they are the natural choice for long days during which you do lots of walking.

Mid-calf dress socks are also a good option; there, you're guaranteed a polished and professional appearance suitable for more formal affairs. The general rule is that the higher the dress socks, the wiser you will look.

For instance, don't wear Oxford shoes with anything less than a mid-calf sock. It would be possible, but certainly not in a pretty way, sitting cross-legged.

Rounding out the list is the no-show sock. Opt for no-show dress socks with a suit and loafers, if they will allow such a thing. The no-sock option is a laid-back look. Hopefully, a cotton/linen suit will suit you, and you can pull this off with suede loafers if you can swing it for a dapper summery look.

Different Styles of Dress Socks

Colorful socks are the next-level fashion game on your feet. A single color can be both professional and fun in a business setting.

Grey is the dullest of colors and way too short to be gray all over. A pair of fun socks can add some much-needed personality to your outfit.

When it comes to patterned socks, the options are truly endless.

When you are dressed in colors, match your socks to another piece in your outfit, such as a tie or pocket square.

This might seem like a no-brainer but at least wear matching socks. No one has managed to pull off the odd sock look successfully, and you'll likely not be the first.

Socks Selection and Matching the Color with your Suit

It is necessary to pay close attention to the way men's dress socks match your suit/colors combination when choosing a pair.

Wear colorful socks – it will add a pop of color to your outfit, and you'll get noticed – just make sure it's not for the wrong reasons! Here's the lowdown on what color socks to wear for each suit color:

●       Suit Color – Black | Best Sock Color - Black             

●       Suit Color – Navy | Best Sock Color - Navy 

●       Suit Color – Grey | Best Sock Color - Grey  

●       Suit Color – Tan | Best Sock Color - Khaki  

●       Suit Color – Brown | Best Sock Color - Olive             

●       Suit Color – Burgundy | Best Sock Color - Black    

●       Suit Color – Green | Best Sock Color - Olive 

Black Suit

What's more classic than a black suit? It is the most official color for suits, but there are only a couple of colors that go well with it. Black socks pair well with a black suit, and gray can provide a subtle contrast.

If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, red, purple, or light blue dress socks work a treat and add a splash of color to a wedding or party outfit.

Blue Suit

Like with any dress, the best way to look like a professional at any meeting or event that may come your way is to pick out the exact color socks that match your suit. But don't be afraid if your shades aren't direct matches. Even a more tonal look, like the navy socks and blue suit below, is still very sharp but has some depth.

That means blue dress socks complement a blue suit or pants. Black and gray socks look swish and contrast with the blue shade.

Navy Suit

Like black, navy suits are another guy's fashion staple. And of course, no wardrobe is complete without a navy suit and matchy-matched socks.

Gray, brown, and red socks are suitable with navy clothes, offering a pop of color if needed.

Gray Suit

It might be tempting to wear brightly colored socks when donning a gray suit to your next formal occasion--but this is not always the way to go.

Wear gray with gray, navy, or black socks. If you're in the mood for a pop of color, consider choosing purple or red dress socks. Purple isn't a standard color in menswear, and that's precisely why it will draw eyes to you in a good way.

Tan Suit

Once you have the basics of black, blue, and grey covered in your formal line-up, tan is an excellent new suit color to invest in. More casual, and seasonal, tan suits are a bit offbeat and will add a certain sartorial panache to your outfit.

If you go with just the right color of dress socks—probably earth tones in the brown or green color families—you're set to put them on without thinking (undoubtedly, the best reason to wear sandals in the first place).

Brown Suit

Although, depending on who you ask, tans are considered a shade of brown, and brown suits are popular enough to warrant their section on this list. Brown, like tan, brown suits should be paired with earthy sock colors.

How to Wear Dress Socks with a Suit

Having explored the various types of dress socks and how to pair them with different-colored suits, let's now look at some additional tips and tricks to be a truly suited and booted gentleman.

Socks and Trousers Matching for a Classic Style

There are also only so many ways to mix it up, and sometimes tradition is best. It is excellent for a very professional environment where the flare may count against you for not being taken seriously.

You have two options: choose dress socks that are very close in color to your suit and trousers or opt for either one shade lighter or darker than those above.

Match the Pocket Square or Tie with the Dress Socks

It's so chic to link your colors to one another. Random mixing will appear unorganized and unprofessional.

Go ahead and coordinate your dress socks with your pocket square and tie, and others will quickly recognize that you've given it some thought. This may be particularly useful in that next job interview.