I'm a total sock person--but knee-high only, I don't like leg showing above sock, except for some types of summer casual, when it's way too hot for tall socks but sometimes I need some kind of sock.
I used to collect lots of different patterns--not so wild, but argyles, dots, checks in various neutrals or color combinations that picked up outfit colors. i would really search for the exact shades to match trousers. But, I sort of got away from that being part of my style, at work at least, and I mostly want a quiet sock in black or brown or gray.
I like GoldToe cotton blends or merino--they last a very long time before showing wear-- when I can get them. I just found it easier to do socks as multiples, wash day especially. I would have liked to have almost all of one type so no sock-matching whatsoever, but a) they keep changing the styles offered, so they're different in different years or b) I'm still fickle and want slightly different colors or weights. So I still have a lot of individual types and have 3 small drawers of socks only--very thin almost hose, thin dress, and medium weight (most are that type)--because I'll find that some of my shoes fit better with one or another and I'm fussy.