Can you help me settle an office arguement - do brown shoes match a navy suit or not?
Colour socks - how to choose?
Colour socks - how to choose?
09-02-2010 asked by Pete
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I would like to wear colour socks - but how to find the right color and style?
John Francomb
Wearing brightly coloured or vividly patterned socks is very much in style at the moment - previously this form of fashion expression was very much confined to those with an eccentric dress sense, but I’m increasingly seeing flashes of colour around the ankle in the office and on the streets. Obviously you must take into consideration the entirety of your outfit, but the key is to pick up on another colour on your person – either in your tie or shirt – and co-ordinate your socks accordingly! For a night out, why not lose the tie and go with a silk handkerchief in your jacket pocket and then match your socks with your handkerchief.
Comments
This is true although certain professions and occasions will call for a more traditional approach when first impressions count. Job interviews are an example where for most people a classic approach will work well, although more flamboyant colours may communicate your creative personality for roles where this is an essential requirement.
Brightly coloured socks in a business setting will certainly get you noticed and caution is advised. For more relaxed settings and occasions experiment with colour and choose colours you are easily drawn to co-ordinating as John suggests.
This is relatively straight forward; chose any colour you wish as long as it's dark blue, dark grey, black or dark brown. This holds true for less formal occasions as well.
Assuming your shoes match your trousers, match your socks with your trousers, socks should be the same colours and be at least as (failing that, darker) dark as the trousers.
Brown trousers (though traditionally only wore in the country or on the weekends) should be paired with brown or dark grey, blue trousers with dark grey or blue, black trousers need black socks and grey trousers with darker grey or black.
If you are wearing coloured trousers, such as the Italian-favoured red or orange, then match the socks with the shoes, grey and browns work better than black.
Try to buy socks which cover your leg even when sat with your legs slightly crossed.
If you feel you need some colour, then opt for a tie or handkerchief, against the backdrop of a classic white or blue shirt.
Good advice. But one can also opt for brightly coloured socks, as John suggests in his answer. I wear narrow trousers, and I tend to wear them quite short and often with turn-ups, and I occasionally wear coloured socks - I'm currently wearing blue chinos and these socks: http://www.tmlewin.co.uk/product.aspx/Men/MenswearAccessories/MenswearAccessoriesSocks!31365