Fine to funky, socks stretch a guy’s individuality options

Q. You wrote a while back about socks being a good thing to splurge on as a gift. I think they have become a permanent splurge. When I went to reload with standard dress socks for work (to become less holey), I was overwhelmed by the price: 12 pairs of any decent quality were close to $100. Is this the latest source of industry income?

A. You have discovered the new “hot ticket” in menswear. As hard as it may be to believe, socks have become a major form of self-expression for men. It is one of those small accessory items that can make a big difference in a man’s appearance. Many of today’s sock makers have left “basic” behind, and are now venturing into “trendy” and “quirky.” Given that, as you suggest, there are no high-end socks for under $10 (generally, not for under $24), it may be worth opting for the designer varieties so you at least feel you are getting something special.

Granted, the suit, shirt and tie constitute 90 percent of a man’s clothing’s total effect. But, oh, the importance of that other 10 percent! Socks, scarves, suspenders, pocket squares, belts and hats help define the well-dressed man and differentiate him from the rest of the guys in the room. This year, stylish socks seem to be having a more noticeable impact than any of the other items.

I attended a presentation by the Sports Management Department at NYU’s School of Professional Studies. A surprising piece of information we learned from the moderator, professor David Hollander, was a quote from a recent Wall Street Journal report: “For the first time in more than a decade, men’s apparel sales have outpaced women’s for the second year in a row.” And driving the growth were double-digit gains in outerwear, pants and socks.

What makes this information useful is that you can change and update the whole tone of some of your clothing combinations by buying a few inexpensive (comparatively, that is) new pairs of interesting socks (stripes, polka dots, squiggles, etc.). Instead of hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of dollars spent on tailored clothing (suits, sport coats and outerwear), a modest outlay for some fresh new socks can bring you compliments and an air of bravura.

In the past, I would have advised that men’s socks should be solid and dark, and that they should be overthe-calf in length. Of course, even today, if you are dressing for business in a staid environment, or for any form of formal wear, stay with understated “solid and dark.” But you might choose hose that are a bit shorter (ones that hit midcalf) and, if you want to update your look and inject some fun and whimsy into your more casual wardrobe, colorful (even funky) patterned socks can be the way to go.

It’s easy to become hooked on unique socks. Here are a few helpful guidelines.

BUY IN MULTIPLES

While I don’t advise buying the multi-pack socks that come a dozen in the same color, it is wise to buy at least two or three identical pairs at a time, not only to handle that single-lost-sock problem but also to make matching up pairs in your sock drawer much easier.

SIZE

When shopping, be sure not to buy socks that are too tight. One size does not fit all. Buy a trial pair of any new sock brand to be sure that they will stay up and will not squeeze your toes. Usually, your sock size is one or two sizes larger than your shoe size.

CARE

Washing high-quality socks calls for some extra care. Read the label before you buy them. Even if the directions say “Machine wash, tumble dry,” I urge you to ignore the “tumble dry.” My best advice is to wash luxury socks turned inside out (perhaps even on the “delicate cycle”) and hang to dry. The heat of the dryer destroys the elastic. For even longer life, place socks in a zippered mesh bag to wash.

Stop wearing socks once damage is visible; in other words, if there’s a hole in your sock, throw it out. Or use as rags, polishers, dusters. They fit well over the hand.

Unlike the traditional rules for conventional dressing, there’s no one right answer to how-to-match patterned socks with your shoes. You can pair a classic shoe with a simple design in matching colors, or contrast it with something brighter in an offbeat color. If you have the confidence to even try the whole concept, then mixing, matching and experimentation are encouraged.

Style socks are part of today’s look. As the NYU professor said in closing, “Think socks!”