Your sock game got you sweating? Never know which socks to pair with your trousers/shoes?

Well worry no more, here is a simple guide, because you have to know the rules before you break them.

1. The General Rule

When in doubt, go one shade darker than your trousers.  This is a classic staple and is appropriate in virtually every situation.

2. The Exception

The exception to “The General Rule” comes when you’re wearing a beige/khaki/tan colored pant. Rather than finding a darker beige (which would work, but is often difficult to find), go with one shade darker than your shoes.

3. Go Seasonal

You can stick to the “rules” but still ad some personality. In the winter, a thick marled sock is a great option – it ads visual interest and keeps your feet toasty warm.  Come summertime, consider a “no-show” liner sock – it will allow you stay on trend and bare a little ankle while keeping your feet nice and cool.

4. Match the Stripe

If you’re wearing a fabric that has a stripe of pattern, you can try pulling out the color subtly. Here, the grey socks pull out the grey of the chalkstripe trousers and bring the combo together.

5. The “Go-to-Hell” Sock

With a look that doesn’t have a lot of color, a patterned sock can make a great statement.  Don’t forgot to keep it seasonal and think about colors that will complement, not clash. Lastly, when wearing a statement sock, make sure your shoe game is on-point as it will draw attention to your feet.

You can see more about socks in our feature here.  Tell us about your own personal sock strategy in the comments below!

Thanks for reading,

Townsend & The TSB Team

Photography by Alex Crawford. 

Check out more of his work at alexcrawfordphotography.com.