Socks are probably the least thought-about items in the average wardrobe. It's a shame because a sock is more than just a layer of fabric between the foot and the shoe. A well-thought-out sock provides comfort, support and hygiene, along with a bit of fashion flair if you know what you are doing.
Like specialty sports shoes, socks should be selected with care. The good folks at Thorlo, a sports sock manufacturer, have designed them for just about every activity. Outdoor types wear tall wool socks that fit over hiking boots, with extra padding on the toes and heels for long treks. Ski socks are even taller and padded in the front to protect shins from hard boots. Cotton walking socks are thinner overall and tighter fitting through the insole.
On the work and social fronts, Gold Toe makes affordable socks for closed-toed shoes like loafers. These are thin, with gold-stitched toe reinforcements (Get it? Gold Toe?) and are perfect with trousers. Remember, socks should match the pants, not the shoes, and skin should not show, so drop the dime for the proper color and length, people.
If you absolutely must wear dress socks with sports shoes, remember that in America, protocol calls for white socks, not black.
Now, we have to talk about novelty socks. Novelty socks are the exact opposite of novelty T-shirts, which can be cool. In no way, shape or form does a (insert favorite holiday here) sock create style for anyone over 4 feet tall. Same thing goes double for overalls, but we digress. No novelty socks, ever. Period. End of discussion.
There is no right or wrong place to buy socks, so buying them becomes more of a timing issue. When you buy a new pair of shoes, buy a couple pairs of socks to go along with them from the same store. This way, you'll have the right socks for the shoes: new running shoes, new socks; new leather lace-ups for work, new socks. This tactic will spare you from unhealthy binge buying.
Accept the fact that the lost sock that has been missing for months won't be found. Throw its mate away, or if it's not too far gone, use it as a dusting mitt. While you're at it, throw the rest of your reject socks out, too.
Anne Kellogg is a native Las Vegan with a thing for purchasing stuff. E-mail her at
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