Flip through any fashion magazine and you’ll see male models posing in the latest couture, usually sporting bare ankles and feet. Yet, anyone who has ever actually rocked shoes without socks knows that’s everything but glamorous. Like most of the human body, feet are, well, kind of gross. They sweat. They can smell. If you wear shoes without socks you risk blisters. Socks are more than just an annoying foot-mitten, they play a vital role in helping you feel as good as you look. The best luxury socks for men are functional fashion, but it doesn’t mean they aren’t crucial to personal style.

The day when men’s socks are supposed to be black, white, or brown are long over. Modern fashion is about quality and the look of it, but it’s also about how an item makes you feel. With a shirt or blazer, this has mostly emotional meaning. But while socks share that quality, they also play a role in how your feet, literally, feel during the day. As with any item of clothing, style is important but not more so than comfort. Socks will keep your feet dry, healthy, and comfortable no matter what you are doing. At least, as long as you have the right pair.keyword.

The below list isn’t just an arbitrary ranking of sock brands. No, our list focuses on finding the best luxury socks for every occasion. The best luxury socks for a formal event are not the best luxury socks for hiking or working out. You’ll find socks that look great and are useful for all sorts of reasons.

When you’re hiking through the woods or ascending a mountain trail, you need to have the best protection on your feet you can. While nothing compares to a good hiking boot, it won’t matter if you don’t have the right socks. The Darn Tough Men’s Hiker Boot Sock is made of Lycra, Spandex, and Merino Wool blend, with the latter making up two thirds of the composition. The sock comes with a high-density cushion woven throughout the sock. Best of all, Darn Tough guarantees the socks for life. So, if they wear through they will be replaced “no questions asked.” 

When working out, thoughts drift primarily to making sure your equipment is up to snuff. From the machines you use to exercise to the shoes on your feet. Yet, your socks are a necessary part of your equipment, too. Thanks to advancements in fabrics and design, your socks can be just as important. These toe socks by TempUp claim to be therapeutic, increasing circulation and even aiding in pain relief. They achieve this with their proprietary acrylic blend, a “high-efficient FIR transmitting fiber with patented Micro-Radiation Technology.” Whether these claims prove true or not are up to the wearer, but if they do these would be the best luxury socks for working out you can find. If you just can’t get past the separated toe thing, you can get TempUp socks with a normal foot. But why not live a little?

If you’re feeling philosophical, fashion is how we make ourselves a work of art each day. Sure, clothes are about function and societal rules, but there is always room to stand out. In order to do that, you have to choose where to stand out and socks are good way to do it. Add these silk and cashmere socks from Marcoliani Milano to your wardrobe and you’ll be on your way. All too often we expect to see a simple color, white or black or gray, when we see a person’s socks. And in most cases that works. 

But for the times you want your fashion game to be at its highest level, make sure that your style declares itself from head to toe. With a number of colors and a simple pattern, these socks are bold but not ostentatious. The silk, cashmere, and nylon blend ensures comfort, and one size fits all feet. Not only will your feet look luxurious, they’ll feel it, too.

For beginners, golfing can be daunting (but it doesn’t have to be!). The links have their own etiquette, rules, and style. If you want to fit in and look fabulous, grab some of these Bresciani 1970 argyle socks. Made from extrafine Merino wool, with ten percent Nylon, these socks look great with your best golf gear. Of course, socks as bold and gorgeous as these would look great with almost any outfit, from your weekend casual look to your best business attire. With over a dozen color patterns to choose from, these socks come in both medium and large. The medium fits men with a U.S. shoe size from eight to ten. The large fits sizes ten-and-a-half to twelve-and-a-half, U.S. The customer reviews all praise the socks, saying they are soft and of an excellent quality. As one writes: “Treat yourself!”

Fall might seem like the time for staying in with a bowl of popcorn and your favorite scary movie. However, the season after summer is full of opportunities for outdoor adventures. From getting pumpkins for Halloween to cutting down a Christmas tree, you’ll need the right sock for the job. In this case, you want to go with something functional and warmer, but not so warm that your feet end up sweating. The Columbia men’s crew sock is ideal for these activities. They fit shoe sizes from six to 12 and provide extra arch and ankle support where you need it most. Traipsing through pumpkin patches or groves of pine trees is tricky work, so take all the support you can get. It’s a sturdy, durable sock that will keep you warm and comfortable on hayrides or around the neighborhood trick-or-treating.

Sometimes you want to the sleek look of luxury fashion, but the elements are unforgiving. When faced with such problems, the right socks can go a long way towards solving them. These Marcoliani Over-the-Calf Luxury Cashmere Italian Socks are a great choice when you don’t want to sacrifice style for warmth. Made with 80 percent cashmere and 20 percent nylon, these socks are a thicker weight than usual. This doesn’t make them heavy on your legs, but rather improves both warmth and comfort. These socks prove you don’t have to sacrifice either of those things in order to stay stylish. There are a dozen colors to choose from, so you’re guaranteed to find one that works for your favorite outfits.

Traveling brings its own troubles, so you’ll want to make sure your feet are well taken care of. Whether you are wearing your finest dress shoes or luxury sneakers, travel with socks that do the job without taking up too much space. This eight-pack of Emre seamless dress socks is just what you’d need. Made from bamboo yarn, along with some Lycra and Elastan, these socks keep your feet comfortable when you are on the move. Emre, a Turkish company, boasts that these socks have antibacterial properties as well. When traveling, you can never be too careful about what you might pick up. Great for men or women, these socks feel as luxurious as they sound. 

Chances are if you are headed to a black- or white-tie affair, you have far more to worry about than your clothes. Still, formal affairs are very much about the costumes and you have to get it right. In cases like this, there is no need to worry about your socks. Go with a trusted pair of knit, black socks that will keep you comfortable and look right. A three-pack of black Calvin Klein socks will do the job. Made from a blend of cotton, nylon, and Spandex, these socks fit snugly and help keep your feet dry in dress shoes.

These are not one-size-fits-all socks, either. Make sure you know the right size to order, otherwise you risk embarrassment or blisters. Express yourself through your fashion any way you want to of course. You could show up in a blazer and jeans combo if you wanted. But if you don’t want to make disruptive waves, stick to the basics.

Sometimes, you love something so much you want to sport it’s name or symbol from your shirt to your socks. While your on your own for the shirt, we can help you with the socks. Stance is one of the finest brands of luxury men’s socks, and they offer a variety of patterns and prints so you can support what you love. For example, if you want to cheer on your favorite NCAA team, Stance has a set of socks that can help you do just that. The socks themselves arrive in a luxury gift box from Stance, with a smooth black finish and a magnetic closure. Still whether you really want to wear your colors from head to toe or want the socks for some subtle fan support at work, Stance has your back. Or, at least, your feet. Also, worth noting, these socks are unisex so they work for the lady sports fan as well!

Some mornings, the sky is as gray as this sock. It’s always tough to get through a drizzly, gloomy day, and it’s only worse when your feet are cold or wet. Pantherella is one of the premier brands of luxury men’s socks on the market. So, on a rainy day, when comfort is key, go with a trusted name. If you have to head in to the office on a stormy day, choose the Waddington Cashmere mid-calf dress sock. The blend of 85 percent cashmere and 15 percent nylon ensures that your feet will stay warm and dry. They slip on and have a smooth toe seam. They do the job and look great with your suit and a raincoat. With ten colors to choose from, from neutral to daring reds, purples, and blues, these will pair well with any look.

Sometimes you want fashion to make a statement, and your socks don’t have to be left out. When you want your socks to stand out, and in a way that might be a bit too risky for work, consider a box of Happy Socks. Made from a premium cotton blend, Happy Socks work with sneakers, casual outfits, or formal attire. (If you don’t mind the socks overpowering the outfit, that is.) Each style in the box adheres to a theme, meaning that these socks could even be a conversation-starter. What’s most important is that they look and feel great on your feet, so at least your feet will have a great night out. 

Ask any soldier whose spent his or her days marching for miles and miles on end how important clean and dry socks are to them. People whose lives depending on their feet not failing them when they need to know how important socks are. While it may seem chic to ditch them, this list proves that there is never a need for it. You can wear stylish socks or keep it simple, but the right pair can make all the difference. Hopefully, after reading through this list, you’ve found some socks that will meet your needs and personal style.

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