What do you prioritize in socks?

[jazznpool]

What some good quality medium gauge no cushion sock recommendations, merino wool or wool blends, calf length? That thickness is what I am needing more of at the moment. Sock thickness is an important variable in my overall shoe fit and comfort--so much so that I write what is needed on my shoe boxes.

 

[DorianGreen]

What some good quality medium gauge no cushion sock recommendations, merino wool or wool blends, calf length? That thickness is what I am needing more of at the moment. Sock thickness is an important variable in my overall shoe fit and comfort--so much so that I write what is needed on my shoe boxes.

I would recommend:

https://meschaussettesrouges.com/en/products/vert-loden

https://meschaussettesrouges.com/en/products/grenat

https://meschaussettesrouges.com/en/products/bleu-gris-2

https://meschaussettesrouges.com/en/products/bordeaux-gris

https://meschaussettesrouges.com/en/products/vert-cuivre

 

[DapperDan15]

On fit: the difference between wearing a thin dress sock and chunky is at least a half shoe size. So unfortunately if you seek after a glove-like fit with your bespoke shoes, you have to pair the shoe with the sock thickness. Maybe some compromises are possible, but so are the risks

I tend to agree. My current favourite shoes were sized on me to be worn with thicker socks, and they fit best that way, but I find that they also work all right with thinner wool socks too when the feet swell in hotter weather.

I understand that some people find it helpful to use leather inserts on shoes up to a half size bigger, but I wonder how they would affect the shoe if worn only occasionally, and then, occasionally without.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

Maybe mine was just an unfortunate case, but I was so disappointed with those socks (two pairs returned): the elastic hem is too weak and the socks don't hold up, moreover the shaft and the foot are both too short for the size chosen. Knit also rather irregular and rustic. I clearly wouldn't recommend those.

Those Corgi's are a funny sock, the elastic is weak and they can initially be baggy around the ankles, but if they work for you they are the best. I always size up, and after a few wears the foot shrinks to size and the bagginess around the ankles shrinks to an acceptable shape. They stay up all day and one of the most pleasurable socks to wear. They get worn 6 months of the year two times per week as my special treat. The rustic colours with the speckles are the best.

 

[double00]

this is the best threak on styfy these days . good convo . socks come down to yarn .

 

[Son Of Saphir]

After a few years of waiting patiently I found these again. Plum Of London used to sell them in limited numbers, and now I find them here:

Alpaca Walking Socks

Heating & Plumbing London creates originally British lifestyle accessories to keep you warm, dry & cosy. With our wool and waterproof picnic blankets, outdoor living champagne buckets, alpaca throws and socks, merino blankets, english umbrellas and candles, we are bringing a playful twist to...

heating-and-plumbing.com

They are 75% alpaca and 25% poly, over the calf, 4 ply, and made in England. They are higher poly than l would like but they are wonderful socks.


I bought my size out and now should have a lifetime supply. These will be worn once a week during the coldest months with a bigger volume shoe. Nice snug toasty feet covered in alpaca.

They look amazing with tweeds.

Corgi's paired with tweeds: snug as a bug in a rug with unparalleled comfort, and that's what makes a man extra happy. The best colours are the other Corgi welly boot colours, but sadly they are very hard to get; Corgi rarely stocks the really good colours. Just imagine this combo with a speckled wine or a speckled light blue.


The sock hunt will continue throughout the week for the thick winter pairs. There haven't been options like this for years and I am like a blood hound (but in this case a `sock hound'), and when l smell a good sock feast, I AM THERE, especially when it comes to hard to find thick toasty winter socks. This week is the `big sock week' when l stock up on supplies. I've been waiting for this moment. Next week l stock up on shadow stripe Bresciani.

 

[DorianGreen]

Those Corgi's are a funny sock, the elastic is weak and they can initially be baggy around the ankles, but if they work for you they are the best. I always size up, and after a few wears the foot shrinks to size and the bagginess around the ankles shrinks to an acceptable shape. They stay up all day and one of the most pleasurable socks to wear. They get worn 6 months of the year two times per week as my special treat. The rustic colours with the speckles are the best.

Glad that it worked for you, but yours doesn't sound exactly like a smooth experience either.

Yes, the speckled colours look great, otherwise I hadn't bought them.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

^^^

When l first got my Welly boot Corgi's l disliked them because the ankles were baggy and the socks were funny in my shoes (too much sock). I washed them and dried them in the sun, and after a few wears they got better.

I've had really bad experiences with Corgi too.

The tail of two socks

- Corgi disaster -
I saw a Corgi sock on sale that was 65% cashmere and 35% cotton, it looked thick and plush and looked absolutely stunning. It eventually arrived in the mail, but it was the start of the disappointment. It was a loosely knitted sock that was flimsy, but worst of all the socks fell about my ankles after my first and second step. The socks never stay up, they stay on my ankles. I never wear them. The culprit below:


- William Abraham brilliance -
Well, l went for a walk last night an hour before sunset in my William Abraham 100% 2 ply silk socks. Let me tell you that the socks were by far the most stunning socks l have ever seen, the colours were vibrant deep and rich. I wish everyone was there to witness the sight, because it is really hard to believe a sock could look so radiant in the last hour of daylight before dusk, but it was. During the day the sock looked amazing, but the hour before dusk the sock looked amazing beyond words, the sight was WOW. Now l am starting to understand what William Abraham silks are about.

The other great thing was how the breeze went through the sock on a warm night acting like an air conditioner on my leg. No linen or cotton socks ever do that, but with silk it is different. I might get another 2 pairs of these for spares because one day those Abrahams will never be made again, and l want to continue to experience the brilliance of the silk at summer dusk for many years to come. It is something a man should get to experience from time to time. Here is the amazing sock I spoke about.


You see....I can wear Bresciani 100% cotton red stripes like today, but it is never going to cut the mustard like an Abraham. The level is far less. A man can do socks in absolute glory, but sadly it costs a packet to do it, but none-the-less, sometimes it needs to be done so one can see what it's all about. So what is it all about? Beauty, eye popping amazement, and understanding the highest levels of sock wearing etc. Today's sock below; not glorious like the Abraham silks, but gee they are so comfortable. The socks contrast against the navy trouser and work well with the shoe colour.

 

[DorianGreen]

A man can do socks in absolute glory, but sadly it costs a packet to do it, but none-the-less, sometimes it needs to be done so one can see what it's all about. So what is it all about? Beauty, eye popping amazement, and understanding the
highest levels of sock wearing etc.

Yes, being willing to afford the extra cost for that particular pleasure and that wow experience will set the real sock guy apart from the rest.

 

[ZzzRain]

Shopuncommon has 80% off all amazing socks including some cashmere ones!

 

[sam67]

Most of my socks are from Mes Chaussettes Rougues and I find the pure cotton lisle to be too fragile and get holes around the heel. The wool last a bit longer than the cotton. For my latest order I switched to the super durable cotton to see how they will hold up.

Same, though I have been wearing their super durable and I like them. I wear dress shoes and over-the-calf socks about 6 times a week. I've been happy with Mes Chaussettes Rougues. I don't mind what others seem to think are their boring or basic patterns. I have enough going on in the rest of my outfit. I typically don't need more 'pop' from my socks.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

Yes, being willing to afford the extra cost for that particular pleasure and that wow experience will set the real sock guy apart from the rest.

There are many shoe guys, but I think sock guys are rare as hen's teeth. How many men will indulge in expensive cashmere socks, plush winter socks and extra fancy pairs? There are not that many willing to do that, and we know because the really pricey socks are few and far between and they sell in very limited quantities.

Mes Chaussettes Rougues is perhaps the biggest online sock site in the world and yet they only sell very limited quantities of Gallo tailoring line. William Abraham sales are super scarce too. Even the people willing to fork out for expensive less durable socks are not that common,hence MCR not willing to stock many 90% wool Bresciani. In my country otc is not common because retailers tell me people are not willing to pay the money.

Sock guys really stand out on the internet, the purist mindsets of these guys is fascinating. I used to think,"who the heck would buy these pricey socks, are they mad"; but now I understand.

Some here buy 100% cashmere socks, and they rotate socks over 20 year periods etc - these guys are proper sock daddies, ie the big boys at the top of the sock ladder giving occasional subtle hints as to how it is done by real connoisseurs. We are lucky we have some of those here.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

Got some beautiful shadow stripes in 100% cotton i've been eyeing off for a while. Best to buy them now before they get sold out.

Have had the orange and red versions before (amazing socks), but super excited to get the yellow version. All by Bresciani and ordered in multiple pairs so l don't run out.



Will do some Corgi tomorrow and do a big order after Easter and that will be it for the year. A man only buys a lot because he knows they wear out, so always good to have spares.

 

[DorianGreen]

Got some beautiful shadow stripes in 100% cotton i've been eyeing off for a while. Best to buy them now before they get sold out.

Have had the orange and red versions before (amazing socks), but super excited to get the yellow version. All by Bresciani and ordered in multiple pairs so l don't run out.

View attachment 2329895 View attachment 2329897 View attachment 2329899

Will do some Corgi tomorrow and do a big order after Easter and that will be it for the year. A man only buys a lot because he knows they wear out, so always good to have spares.

All looking beautiful, especially fond of the orange/grey ones.

By the way, lovely combinations in those pictures too.

Edit: Not grey but blue on the stripes (although it looks more like grey).

 

[DorianGreen]

Got inspired and just ordered these from Bresciani's official website, two pairs for each model, both OTC in 90% wool.