The Alternate Stitch

Over the years, dress socks have transformed from functional basics in a narrow color range barely worth considering to powerful fashion statements. If you’re asking yourself what color men's dress socks should be to match the rest of your outfit, this is for you.

Ever wonder why your thin cotton dress socks start to smell when you take your dress shoes off? Don't sweat it, we'll talk you through the reasons Merino Wool makes the best Dress Socks. Your coworkers will thank you.

From dress shoes to sneakers and loafers to boots, there's a lot to consider when deciding what kind of dress socks to wear with different types of dress shoes. And no matter what shoes you’re wearing, you’ll thrive in socks that are comfortable, breathable, and moisture wicking.

Traditionally, men’s dress socks were simply matched to one’s pants — a safe, reliable choice that created a seamless look. But style is about more than playing it safe. Thoughtfully coordinating your socks with accessories like belts, ties, and pocket squares can add personality, sophistication, and even a bit of flair to your outfit.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through classic style guidelines to learn what color dress socks to wear with suits of the most popular colors, ensuring you always make the right choice — whether you're dressing for a corporate meeting, a wedding, or any other formal occasion.

Men's dress socks have a set of traditional guidelines that are usually best to follow — emphasis on “usually.” We’re going to cover traditional style rules for how to wear dress socks. Then, we’ll show you when and how to break those rules with style.

The big wedding day approaches. The pressure is on. Your mind swirls second guessing the choice you’re about to make. A choice of love and respect that is a lifetime commitment. Are you questioning your vows and those two pivotal words, “I do.”? Hardly. You’re all good on that front. This is the choice of what to give your groomsmen.

There are a lot of rules in fashion. Like don’t wear white after Labor Day. Don’t mix stripes and plaids. Don’t button the bottom button of a suit jacket for some reason. It’s hard to keep up. Well, grab your pencils because we’re about to add 10 dress sock rules to the list to help you avoid common dress sock mistakes. 

Men’s dress socks come in a variety of heights from no-show to over-the-calf, which can leave you wondering just how to wear men’s dress socks. In this guide, I’ll help you fit the sock height to the outfit to put your best foot forward for any type of occasion.

In this post, we’ll explore the importance of dress socks, talk about all your options, and help you pick the right pair for every occasion. Whether you’re gearing up for a formal event, a casual day at the office, or something in between, we’ll ensure you know which socks are the best match for every scenario.

Though we can’t help you answer questions like, “Do I need to wear a tie?” we can address an equally important question, namely, “What color should dress socks be?” In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to match dress socks to your outfit, covering everything from classic rules to modern twists.

Dress socks are an essential yet overlooked component of formal attire. They might not be the centerpiece of your outfit, but then again, your fit wouldn’t be complete without them. Every man dressing for a formal occasion needs a comfortable and durable pair of men's dress socks, but with so many options out there, how is one to choose?

We made our first Space Dye sock in 2022, and you all loved that Space Gray so much, we couldn't stop there. So, we knit up Cosmic Purple. If you're fan of purple socks with a heather look, we think you'll like this. Did we mention, each and every Space Dye sock is unique?

Is Merino Wool itchy? Do Merino Wool socks itch? This isn't the first time we've talked about the Merino Wool itching myth (yes, myth). But some truths are worth restating. As we lay out the facts about this amazing type of wool, we're mixing in real-life reviews from one-time-skeptics now turned wool lovers.

At Darn Tough, we knit our socks in 4 different weights: Ultra-lightweight, Lightweight, Midweight, and Heavyweight. When it comes to picking a sock weight, consider your planned activity, local weather, and personal preferences. We put together a guide of our different sock weight options for all of your favorite activities.

We knit socks designed to take your feet out your front door and onto less traveled roads… although they're equally good for couch surfing. As a Vermont-based company, it’s safe to say we know New England best. So, if you’re planning a 2025 trip to the Northeast, here’s some places (and socks) we recommend.

Athletes Trevor Kennison and Barry Corbet never knew each other, but they inspired a movement. From overcoming injury to paving the way for adaptive athletes, Level 1’s documentary Full Circle chronicles their unlikely journey – 
50 years in the making.

If anyone’s qualified to convince you that buying a pair of Darn Tough socks is a good (nay, great) idea, it’s our Customer Service team. Not only do they answer the call, but their sock picks do, too. Curated by our all-star team of sock-talkers, this round of Staff Picks is dedicated to the friendly folks behind the phone.

When your dog decides they're entitled to shred your socks... Darn It. Turns out, it's not just Autumn. Dogs love Darn Tough socks. But if that love turns destructive, the good news is we cover that. 

As we explored the industrial landscape of Homer’s bustling waterfront and captured photographs, an idea began to take shape: could we design a pair of Darn Tough socks featuring a special Salmon Sisters design inspired by our Alaskan landscape and way of life?

Our opinion doesn’t mean much without the backing of our dedicated customers who put socks like the Number 2 Hiking Sock through its paces. So, let’s take some time to acknowledge some of our favorite second opinions, written by some of our favorite happy customers.