The Alternate Stitch

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.

Growing up in Alaska, the Salmon Sisters were raised tough. They first earned their stripes fishing for wild seafood in the remote Aleutian Islands (where they grew up). Their feet are in rubber boots on the water for up to 18 hours a day, a unique challenge when it comes to designing socks. 

If there is one thing that you should take away from this blog, let it be the importance of WEARING SOCKS INSIDE YOUR WADERS! Here are a few tips and factors to consider that can help you stay focused on the fishing part of your day on the river!

In this post, we’re doing Cupid’s work for him by helping you find the best matching gifts for couples – including your own. Guaranteed for Life and to pull at their heartstrings, our socks will forever and always be the perfect match.

In a town boasting 300 days of sunlight, winter night running is not ideal. But, for the last eight years, I have committed to coaching my local run group, Revolution Running, at weekly workouts. Summer or winter, the group meets at 6pm Tuesdays and Thursdays for an hour-long workout. 

This Valentine’s Day, instead of swiping and swiping to find your soulmate, let’s spend some time finding your sole-mate. Or, if you’ve already got a soulmate, now’s a great time to hook them up with their future sole-mate.

In one library in a western mountain town, a librarian shows up to work every day with a handpicked pair of Darn Tough socks on. Every day. Without fail. Every week of every season, our small town’s children spend 30 minutes with this librarian and her handpicked books and handpicked socks.

Without your support, our contributions would have been minuscule. So, as we round up the end-of-year data on how we gave back, we do so with gratitude to you.  From local initiatives to global outreach, here are some of the most significant ways we made an impact in 2024: