Sock it to Me

“I always advise that socks should freelance, perhaps picking up a color cue from another item in one’s apparel, such as the tie or shirt.” - Glenn O’Brien

Glenn O’Brien, GQ’s long-time (and unceremoniously dismissed) Style Guy, knows what he’s talking about when it comes to socks.  Playing it safe with socks is a great way to turn an excellent outfit into a middling one; after all, the devil’s in the details.  As a reformed black sock wearer, I learned this the hard way, and won’t even touch them for formal occasions now (a luxurious gray or navy is the perfect stand-in).  On occasions when I don’t have to don a full suit, I let my socks show off my wild side.

One benefit of working at Nordstrom (who is not sponsoring or endorsing this post in any way) is a substantial employee discount, which allows me to buy fine socks for dirt cheap.  From Happy Socks to Pantherella, their sock selection has something for everyone.  Though I wish they carried Anonymous Ism - whose knit wool socks are changing the game - these brands are nothing to sneeze at, and are three steps above the white Hanes tube socks I wore as a kid.  How my mother let me out of the house in them, I haven’t a clue.

My current go-to socks are a pair from Paul Smith.  They’re navy with rainbow circles, which look like hamburgers from a distance.  Refined enough to wear with dress clothes, they also add a luxurious touch to any casual outfit.  I wore them yesterday with my Belstaff vest and Baldwin raw denim, and they lend a rakish man of the world vibe to an otherwise woodsman look.  If I’m taking a hike during the day but am spending the evening sipping on cocktails, these are the socks I wear.

Like much of Paul Smith’s clothing, the appearance is superior to the quality.  While the fabric is upscale and somewhat durable, I’m not expecting the socks to last for more than six months to a year.  Then again, most socks have an expiration date - you don’t want to wear smelly, tattered old socks, do you?  

If your budget doesn’t allow for significant indulgences, spend what spare change you have on a few nice pairs of socks; after all, you only have two feet.  It’s not that hard to treat them well, and if you don’t use them (and clothe them in the finest fabrics) you’ll lose them.  

Socks: Paul Smith London, Jeans: Baldwin, Vest: Belstaff, Sweater: GANT Rugger, Shoes: Vintage