Smart Socks for Stylish Guys

Thursday, May 03, 2012

Marc Streisand, GoLocal Men's Style Expert

Add interest to any outfit with bright, colorful, and patterned socks.

There is no faster way to slow down a cool outfit than a lame pair of socks. The devil is in the details; cool suit, nice shirt, great shoes…and terrible socks. There are very few areas for men to accessorize, and socks are one of the staples. Whether you’re dressing up for a black tie only or heading out with your buddies for beers, there are some basic hosiery rules that separate the men from the boys.

3 simple rules

If you’re looking to keep it casual, there are some simple rules that will ensure you don’t look like the town fool. First and foremost, socks and sandals are completely unacceptable. In fact, this look is worse than last place. If you’re wearing sandals, simply leave the socks at home. Second, make sure your socks match. We understand staying casual, but there is no need to venture into “what the heck is he thinking?”. We’d suggest driving a minivan ahead of mismatching your socks. Finally, socks do have a limited lifespan. If your socks were alive while you were in college, it’s probably time to put them to rest. Holes, odors, and discoloration are signs that it’s time for something new.

3 more rules

Dressing up is less about the “do nots”, and more about the opportunity to wear something that complements your outfit. For starters, over-the-calf socks are best as they hide leg hair when you cross your legs. Next, make sure your socks match your pant hem, not your shoes: This allows your silhouette to stay long and clean without their being a break in the color. As to accessorizing, wear something cool. Bright socks, colorful socks, and patterned socks will all add interest to your outfit. Make a statement; ditch the plain blacks and wear something that makes you stand out.

And when in Newport...

Finally, if you’re in Newport in the summer with some hot shoes and cool style, feel free to ditch the socks!

Marc Streisand is president and owner of Marc Allen Fine Clothiers, and takes the custom clothing business very personally. Having enjoyed a successful career in the clothing industry since 1985, Marc brings his clients extensive specialized experience in menswear. Prior to taking over the Marc Allen store in March 2005, he cultivated his knowledge of luxury male attire in New York and his home state of New Jersey, where he began his vocation at Wallach's Specialty Stores. Nothing gives him greater pleasure, he says, than seeing raw cloth transformed into a custom outfit that can directly impact his customer's lifestyle.

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Comments:

Jason Newhaus

2:33pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012

MARC,

Men's socks have come a long way! I especially liked the sentence: "We’d suggest driving a minivan ahead of mismatching your socks."

I couldn't agree more!

I am hooked on colorful bold men's dress socks, and make it my business to buy new ones all the time. As a recommendation to others interested in accesorizing - I recently came across Vivarati socks, which is my new favorite sock brand. You can pick up 3 pairs for $45 on their site ( www.vivarati.com ). Some of my socks for $35 don't match up with the quality of my Vivarati's. My favorite style is "The Sidebar" (I like stripes)

- Jason