Consider it the gift no one requests yet everyone appreciates: a pair of impeccably made socks. Too often dismissed as a stocking filler, they are in fact one of the most powerful components of a well-considered wardrobe.
A flash of color beneath a cropped trouser hem or the reassuring heft of ribbed cashmere against the ankle – socks may only reveal a sliver of themselves, but that sliver speaks volumes. They demonstrate that attention has been paid not only to the headline pieces – the suit, the coat, the shoes – but to the details that complete the look.
Scan the street-style set outside the menswear shows and you’ll notice it instantly: a pop of saffron, a stripe of merlot, a soft marl peeking out beneath pressed wool. They spruce a neutral outfit into a considered fashion statement, and can add an undertone of playfulness to a serious-looking suit.
If you’re going to make a statement from the ankle down, quality is non-negotiable. The following brands elevate the everyday essential into something worthy of consideration year-round.
Luxury socks for men
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Loro Piana
There’s always a guarantee of quality with Loro Piana, and its socks are no exception. Knitted from baby cashmere yarn, the Treccia socks offer enduring softness and will continue to feel as luxurious as the first time you slip them on. A must-pack item for trips to winter destinations, we say.
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Pairs
Alice Macfarlane came up with the idea for Pairs after a search for socks capable of withstanding the icy temperatures she was facing on Highland walks with her daughter.
Five years later, the brand has become a go-to for the style set, thanks to its offering of luxurious fibers (from alpaca to merino, mohair to bamboo) in every shade of the color wheel. In a full circle moment, they’re made in Scotland, too.
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Brunello Cucinelli
Known as the ‘king of cashmere’, Brunello Cucinelli should be your first port of call for adding natural fibres to your sock drawer. Better yet, the brand is renowned for dying the yarn in vibrant hues, balancing luxury quality with fashionability that isn’t overly trendy. The mid-calf styles are particularly refined – ideal beneath flannel trousers or suits.
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Rototo
There’s a few things that the Japanese excel at when it comes to making clothes: selvedge denim, workwear, and because of Rototo, socks. Made in the Nara prefecture, the brand has a reputation for excellence that’s spread like wildfire around the globe.
While sock pairs come in various colors, don’t expect them to be too bolshy. Pastel, earthy tones make up the collection, with a few subdued prints peppered in throughout. The ribbed crew styles give an air of retro athleisure.
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God's True Cashmere
If you’ve ever wondered what Brad Pitt has on his feet, there’s a chance it’s the brand that he founded with Sat Hari Khalsa, God’s True Cashmere. The idea to start a business together came to Khalsa in a dream, where she searched for the perfect cashmere shirt for her friend. That adventure then became a reality, and eventually, the brand was born.
To be expected, their sock selection is made of cashmere, but not just the earthy tones that are associated with the fabric. A zingy lemon hue sits amongst violet and slate, primed to inject some fun into your sock drawer. Each pair is embellished with a rose quartz snap that means they can always be kept together.
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Berluti
It follows that a house synonymous with fine leather footwear would craft socks worthy of the shoes they accompany. But for such an esteemed name, Berluti perfectly balances traditional craftsmanship with more contemporary design. Socks made of Egyptian cotton are available for several types of dressers.
Those with a more jolly sense of style should opt for the lilac or baby blue B-embroidered sock, while the more orthodox man will be swayed by the maroon and burnt orange Alessandro style.
