Sock selection help (overthinking it)

Many of my pants are ankle length, and in my region's very chilly fall and winter I like to "close the gap" at my ankle with socks when I wear them with booties or loafers.

I'm trying to select socks/hosiery, since they are exposed in this configuration. So far it's not that cold so this isn't a pressing issue and I can wear no-show socks, but I'll need more coverage when the temps drop.

Any tips to guide sock selection strategies? Should I be matching or contrasting socks... with the shoe or with the pant? I can fall back on "nude for me" shades to create the same effect as seeing the gap as if I weren't wearing socks/hosiery, but the coordination vs. contrast part stymies me. I feel like this is a logic puzzle that I just can't crack... Thanks for entertaining my silly sock dilemma!

(Finds below... the black booties are getting returned but I'll replace them with something similar)

DSW

Dr. Scholl's Imagine Wedge Loafer

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

Dr. Scholl's Dr. Scholl's Imagine Wedge Loafer (Women) | Nordstrom

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

Blondo Ida Waterproof Bootie

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

Blondo Blondo Linda Waterproof Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

View Info

Top Pick

6 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

Oooh thank you for posting this question! I was just wondering about the same thing a couple of days ago, so I’m following!

JuniperGreen

Thanks nemosmom... glad I'm not the only one pondering these great mysteries

LaPed

Well, I do both -- coordinate and contrast. I wear almost exclusively Darn Tough merino socks, which come in a huge assortment of heights, weights, colours and patterns:

https://darntough.com/collections/women

I have a bunch of dark solid ones (black, purple, olive) that I'll wear with just about anything or if I want to match to footwear or pants. Then I have some bright patterned ones (striped, polka dotted, etc) for more of a "statement sock" effect. I work with young kids so if my outfit is otherwise "boring" I'll often throw on a pair of quirky socks. Most versatile of all are neutral but textured/patterned: black cable knit, charcoal/black stripes, etc. I feel more intentional about showing my socks when the socks have something going on.

Oh, and for true dressy, I have sheer black Wolford trouser socks. They're probably about six years old and seemingly indestructible, as Wolford is known to be. Some day I'd like to add another pair of sheer trouser socks with some sort of subtle pattern -- lacy floral or polka dots etc. I could never use sheer socks on a daily basis though (or cotton ones for that matter); I'd have frostbite on all my toes!

Anonymous

Haha, I do understand where you're coming from Juniper!
I think you have to coordinate with both the shoe and the bottom.

I would pick a shoe/bottom combo that you'd like to wear with socks, and then pick a designated pair of socks for that specific combo. And it can be contrasting or coordinating, but it should 'work'.

So for example, if you chose the black shoes with black dress pants, I might choose something that was coordinating and maybe a bit neutral, but for blue jeans and the black shoes, I might try something that's really contrasting and daring like bright polkadots or something.

Runcarla

My go-to has been either 'nude to me' (for more conservative occaisions) or contrast/novelty (for informal occaisions). I freeze in the winter so wear a lot of Smartwool. (Today’s sock choice below)

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

The Cat

I am taller than average, have long legs, love to play with colours, but also prefer to have some cohesivenes in an outfit. While I don't feel a NEED to match the socks to either the pants or the shoes, of course I don't mind if they match. However, most important to me is that one of the sock colours is echoed somewhere on the upper part of my body. Examples: Red&blue&black striped socks and red or blue pullover. Or green socks and green earrings. Or white socks and white pearl necklace. Or purple socks and purple jacket.

Petites and people with short or heavy legs might want to make their legs look longer and/or slimmer and therefore match their socks to their pants or shoes or preferably both. When pants, socks and shoes are in the same solid colour, they will form a long unbroken line, which serves to make the leg look longer and slimmer.

Just want to add that while there seems to be "rules" for many things, including socks, most rules are just guidelines, primarily for the insecure. Your styling should reflect YOUR taste and style. So think about what YOU like to match--or what YOU don't care to match.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Preferences are varied. You seem to be a neutral gal, JuniperGreen. Go for neutral patterns in low and high contrast.

Jessikams

I notice a lot of glittery socks these days. You could try socks in a neutral color but sparkly touches, for fun.

rachylou

I have to admit I do ‘nude for me’ socks all the time and it doesn’t really work... but if enough of us do it, it could become a thing, lol

Joy

I rarely wear socks that show with shoes, but like the metallics and socks to match the color of my pants as they are seen when the shoes come off inside. I am actively looking for olive colored Smart wool socks.

Lots of great advice, thank you all!

I have plenty of solid dark neutrals to work with but none of them excited me, so I realized my sock collection needed some TLC. Here is my "sock haul" from this weekend Not a category I thought would be so engrossing to me but these purchases make me and my feet happier.

Like Angie mentioned, I'm a neutral leaning gal but I do enjoy a bit of quirk... and stripes, apparently, call to me! Also, I'm an unabashed cat lady, so the chubby kitty socks will make me smile on the weekends.

Hot Sox Hot Sox 3-Pack Cat Socks | Nordstrom

Kate Spade New York kate spade new york 3-pack crew socks | Nordstrom

Treasure&Bond Treasure & Bond Favorite 2-Pack Boot Socks | Nordstrom

J.Crew

Striped trouser socks in Lurex

I like these options. TRY THEM.

Category