Over-the-calf dress socks for men are a wardrobe staple. Even if you don’t have an office job, they’re practical and quite versatile. Here are some picks.
Everyone needs formal socks in their sock drawer. Yes, this includes you gents who live a highly casual lifestyle. You can wear men’s over-the-calf dress socks in so many other ways than just with suits and dress shoes.
I know it’s easy to go for fast-fashion socks. They’re cheaper; no one really looks at them, and they do the job. However, I just don’t think their drawbacks are worth the price. They don’t last as long. They aren’t always great for your skin. And, perhaps most importantly, they aren’t always built ethically.
Don’t get me wrong. If you have a strict budget, I understand why you’d skimp out on socks. Today’s exploration of the best long socks takes that into account. And in addition to presenting our top picks, let’s talk about the importance of OTC socks.
Why Should I Wear OTCs? An Important Note for Shorter Guys
Socks that go over the calf, or OTC socks, are genuinely the best socks you can wear with trousers. They’re compulsory when you wear dress pants or even slacks — unless you plan on wearing shoes without socks for the latter. And even if you’re wearing jeans, I think OTC dress socks look great with loafers. This is especially so if you’re wearing dark denim.
There are generally four primary sock lengths: over-the-calf, mid-calf, ankle, and no-show.
True over-the-calf socks should cover your entire calf. This means the top of the sock goes around your knee, too. People often confuse mid-calf socks for OTCs because they technically go over part of the calf.
From a practical perspective, an OTC is a better option than a mid-calf sock when you’re wearing pants instead of shorts. The elastic at the top of the sock hugs your calf tightly and securely. This allows the sock to stay up all day, even as you move around. This ensures comfort and smooth lines all the way up your leg line, creating a more streamlined look for your lower half.
This is especially important for us men of modest height. The cleaner the lines, the more visual height it adds. And I’m not saying that looking taller is inherently better than looking short. There’s just absolutely no reason for your socks to ride down and ruin your pant silhouette. It’s simply not flattering, regardless of your height or body type.
You don’t need six types of socks in your drawer, though. Personally, I just go for mid-calf and no-show casual socks and strictly OTC dress socks.
The Importance of a Good Over-the-Calf Sock
So why invest in good OTCs if no one is going to be looking closely at them? Of course, as I already mentioned, low-quality socks don’t last as long.
I also already mentioned the ethical factor. Fast-fashion socks aren’t always great for the environment and don’t always use factories with the best working conditions. They might be made with toxic dyes or irritating chemically-made materials. So, if you have sensitive skin, you should avoid fast fashion altogether.
Another problem with most “over the calf” socks is that many don’t actually go all the way up. If you’re buying your socks online, you can’t hold the sock in your cart against your leg. Shorter socks can catch on your trousers, especially if they’re unlined. Then, you’ll find yourself constantly pulling them up. If your pants are slim, you’ll need to be dexterous enough to try and pull them up from the outside.
Low-quality elastics wear out quickly, too. And sometimes, they’ll wear out unexpectedly while on your person. If durability and cost-per-wear are important to you, you should spend a bit more on higher-quality socks.
Eight of the Best Over-the-Calf Dress Socks
In this edit of our pick for best over-the-calf dress socks, we consider everything: style, performance, and, of course, price.
A note on sizing: If you’re between 5’4 ” and 5’7”, you can likely comfortably wear socks sizes 9-13. This is why even shorter men can go for size Ls over Ss when it comes to socks. Still, keep in mind that each brand categorizes the sock number size differently.
Kirby Allison Socks
Kirby Allison offers downright luxurious Italian-made dress socks. Their simple cotton models are built with extra-fine Egyptian cotton. Meanwhile, their 100% cashmere line is incredibly soft and warm thanks to the super-fine 260-needle yields — the highest thread count possible. So, if you want to invest in long-lasting socks, I highly recommend Kirby Allison.
Sizes Available: 10-13ds
Price Per Pair: $29-$135
Boardroom Socks
I believe Boardroom socks offer the best value on the market. They aren’t the cheapest, but they’re still less than many “designer” socks, and they simply don’t ride down. The 168-needle construction is fine enough to be luxurious but won’t wear out quickly. They’re traditional, classy, and practical, and they come in several great colors and styles.
Sizes Available: 8-12, 13-16
Price Per Pair: $17.95-18.50
Bombas Socks
Bombas OTC dress socks are the best-cushioned dress socks on the internet. Anymore cushioning, and they’d be athletic socks. Go for these if you want a softer feel in your dress shoes. Or, if you want to pair a dark, dressier sock with your
Sizes Available: M (6-9), L (9.5-13), XL (13.5-16)
Price Per Pair: $16-$14 (buy more, save more model)
Gold Toe Dress Socks
Gold-toe socks are thicker and more plush but still look perfectly dressy. They prove you don’t need to spend a fortune on good socks. They’re another great option for smart casual situations. They grip so tightly that it may initially be uncomfortable for guys with thick calves. Still, we know they won’t ride down, which is what we want.
Sizes Available: One Size
Price Per Pair: $14-$16 for a three-pack
Proper Cloth Socks
Proper Cloth Socks are some of the best. These socks aren’t cheap because of their Supima cotton, merino, and performance construction. Supima is made from a special plant that produces long, silky fibers. It’s then picked by hand, ensuring only the best are used. This, with the performance materials, blends softness and durability.
Sizes Available: One Size
Price Per Pair: $40-$31 (one pack versus three pack)
Pierre Henry Socks
Pierre Henry offers a wide range of different styles and colors. Want argyle? Stripes? Perhaps you want a bicycle or flamingo motif? They’ve got you covered. Their OTCs are the most athletic-looking on this list but are still fine enough to be worn as dress socks.
Sizes Available: Classic (7-11), Big & Tall (12-16)
Price Per Pair: 3-packs for $45, 9-packs $95
Fort Belvedere Socks
Fort Belvedere Socks are true works of art. The 100% cotton versions are made with Italian yarn, knitted on a 240-needle machine, and boast a hand-finished toe. The premium silk formal socks are highly luxurious, flaunting the gentlemanly stocking style you just can’t find in men’s socks anymore.
Sizes Available: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Price Per Pair: $45-$80
Falke Tiago Dress Socks
Falke is a German company well-known for making premium-quality socks for men and women. Their Tiago OTC socks are handsome, well-made, and durable. This durability comes from the reinforced heel and toe, ensuring they last forever and retain their shape. I also love that they come in a bright red variation.
Sizes Available: 6.5-7.5, 8-9, 9.5-10.5, 11-12, 12.5-13.5, 14-15
Price Per Pair: $31
FAQS
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about men’s dress socks.
Are Cotton or Wool Dress Socks Better?
It depends on your needs. Wool dress socks aren’t as soft or cool as cotton ones. However, wool socks are more moisture- and odor-wicking. Both materials are great for year-round use, but cotton may be better for summer, and wool may be better for winter.
Are Over-the-Calf Better Than Crew Length Dress Socks?
Compared to crew-length (or mid-calf) dress socks, OTCs stay up more effectively throughout the day.
Why Are Dress Socks So Thin?
Dress shoes are designed to fit snugly around your foot for a sleek, streamlined look. Dress socks need to fit inside your dress shoes without you having to size up.
What Are Dress Socks Called?
Dress socks are sometimes called trouser socks or simply “over the calf” socks due to their taller height. However, not all dress socks are OTC; some are mid-calf.
How Thick Should Dress Socks Be?
Most dress socks are thin to fit inside dress shoes. However, modern brands like Bombas offer thicker, cushioned socks.
Should You Wear Over-the-Calf Socks?
Many men prefer over-the-calf socks to mid-calf socks because they stay up as you move around throughout the day.
Should I Wear Socks With Dress Shoes?
Yes, you should wear socks with dress shoes. If you really want the “sockless” look, try wearing no-show socks instead of going barefoot.
Can I Wear Ankle Socks With Dress Shoes?
No, don’t wear ankle socks with dress shoes. Ankle socks are really only meant to be worn with athletic shoes.
Conclusion: The Right Pair for You
I hope the first big takeaway here is that men’s over-the-calf dress socks are a wardrobe requirement. The second takeaway should be that there’s a wide range of OTC socks for different priorities. You can find ones that are extra fine and old-fashioned and ones that have some performance built into them.
What do you look for in a dress sock? Questions? Comments? Leave them below.
