The 13 Best Socks for All Your Favorite Shoes
- 1/14
The 13 Best Socks for All Your Favorite Shoes
Here's an unofficial style adage that's served me well as a shopping editor: Every element of your outfit has the potential to make you feel more comfortable, confident, and powerful, all the way down to your socks. Balled up in your dresser or mismatched after a load of laundry, the best socks might seem like pure utility—just a comfortable, breathable strip of fabric between you and the real footwear worth noting. But as runways from Miu Miu to Simone Rocha have shown us, carefully selected socks give everything from the best ballet flats to sky-high heels a more considered look. Sometimes it's romantic with a lace hem, sometimes it's academic with a varsity stripe. But every time an outfit includes a hemline that shows off your full shoe, the look is altogether more complete with the best socks.
April Koza, vice president at luxury retailer FWRD, favors one sock-and-shoe pairing above all the rest. "I love to pair loafers back to a luxe pair of socks— the look is both smart and modern," she tells BAZAAR. At this time of year, they're essential to her daily outfit formula: "A straight-leg jean, my favorite loafer, and a perfect brown ribbed sock are the base of so many of my winter looks!"
Key word: base. No matter how you dress, socks go on first—so the absolute best pairs are worth wearing. Whether you're searching for a tailored crew sock to complement lug-sole loafers, an over-the-top embellished sock to match your highest platforms' main character energy, or an active sock for added support under your walking shoes, we have the 13 best socks for every kind of footwear moment ahead.
Edward Berthelot - Getty Images - 2/14
The Ives Sock
Comme Si
fwrd.com
$27.95
Ask a sock snob where they find their absolute favorite pairs and they'll always reference Comme Si. The label opened exclusively with a refined take on trouser socks in every color of the rainbow, and has since expanded to equally indulgent loungewear. The Ives sock is just the right height for wearing under a loafer or Mary Jane—and it comes in five hues from white to basil green.
fwrd.com - 3/14
Everyday Plus Cushion Training No-Show Socks (3 Pairs)
Nike
nike.com
$18.00
Will a pair of socks make or break your workout? If you never have to pause your run or reduce your reps to fidget with your socks, then yes. These Nike socks are the missing half to your best walking shoes and running shoes: Not only do they stay in place during all sorts of workouts, they're also breathable and stretchy to keep you cool (and comfortable) through every stride.
What reviewers say: "These hold up so well in the wash! Great quality and perfect with kicks or slides. Super comfortable!'
Nike - 4/14
Colorful 50 Socks
Uniqlo
uniqlo.com
$3.90
46 colors, medium weight, easygoing design, and a price point under $5: One of BAZAAR editors' destinations for the best basics strikes again with these affordable and versatile socks. Go ahead, stock up.
What reviewers say: "Love having the color options to match any outfit. The socks fit and look great. Also, no problems when they come out of the wash. I now only get my socks from Uniqlo."
Uniqlo - 5/14
The Soft Striped Socks
Guest in Residence
guestinresidence.com
$198.00
Whether you go for these multicolor stripes or a solid, cap-toe version, the cashmere socks from Guest in Residence aren't for wearing as much as savoring. They achieve a tier of cotton-candy-softness you have to pull on to understand—and once you're in the know, they'll become your signature gift.
Guest in Residence - 6/14
Black Crystal Cluster Socks
Simone Rocha
ssense.com
$171.00
You can't reach the top rung of the sock cognoscenti without Simone Rocha socks in your collection. Like her balaclavas, bibs, and other "Wait, why didn't I think of this?!" accessories, whimsical embellishments that border on absurdity are the focal point of these socks. (They're pliable and comfortable, too.) Make sure you're wearing these with a flouncy dress or skirt so everyone can appreciate the details.
ssense.com - 7/14
Tabi Socks
Intype Socks
amazon.com
$18.90
Whether you're a card-carrying member of the Margiela Tabi fan club or you're contemplating your very first pair, split-toe socks are essential for a better experience in your Tabis. These affordable, top-rated pairs comfortably separate your toes and come in a length you can style folded-down or pulled all the way up.
What reviewers say: "These socks are exactly as described. I'm happy to be able to have toasty warm feet and wear my comfy thong shoes. They fit my heels perfectly, no sliding down. They are not thin but they are thick enough to wear with other casual shoes. Best price for the quality. After trying them out I bought a second set!"
Amazon - 8/14
Cable-Knit Cashmere Socks
Johnstons of Elgin
net-a-porter.com
$45.00
These cable-knit socks come recommended by BAZAAR fashion news director Rachel Tashjian, who reiterates how hard cashmere socks are to find. This pair made her December shopping list with their cozy, one hundred percent cashmere fabrication and ever-so-slightly preppy design–good to wear with L.L.Bean boots, or any winter boots, really.
net-a-porter.com - 9/14
Everyday Ankle Sock
SKIMS
skims.com
$8.00
Here are easy, ankle-length socks you don't have to overthink. Like our editors' other SKIMS favorites, these socks are breathable, stretchy, and soft, plus they come in ten versatile shades from marble to onyx.
What reviewers say: "The first pair of socks I pick out in the morning. Super breathable and stretchy. Will be purchasing more to replace other brands in my collection."
Skims - 10/14
Cloud Sock
Brother Vellies
brothervellies.com
$35.00
When you want your socks to feel more like slippers, this Brother Vellies pair is all yours. It has the thickest-knit sole of any sock on our list, plus a ribbed upper that's always intentionally slouchy and undone. In all 17 colors, they're luxuriously warm and cozy for padding around the house.
brothervellies.com - 11/14
Set of Two Pairs of Socks
Sézane
sezane.com
$55.00
Play up the girlishness of your Mary Janes or ballet flats with a frilly, lettuce hem sock. These are our favorite version for the criminally soft organic cotton—and the romantic floral storage pouch that comes with every order.
sezane.com - 12/14
Cool Contours Low-Cut Liner Socks
HUE
bloomingdales.com
$6.50
Keep your socks invisible in low-cut ballet flats with these breathable liner socks. You can enjoy wearing those Miu Mius or Chanels without a single sock adjustment: Hue's socks have a grippy liner along the back that prevents them from rolling down.
What reviewers say: "These are great! I thought they would be uncomfortable due to how low-cut they look, but they are very comfortable and stay in place! They work nicely with flats that are lower-cut in the front."
Bloomingdale's - 13/14
Baby Steps
Mother
motherdenim.com
$28.00
Why not inject a little humor into your standard crew socks? Mother Denim finishes off its soft, wear-all-day socks with cheeky phrases knit along the top of each pair ("Speed Demon," "Wild Thing," etc.). Even if no one sees what they say, they'll make you smile while you're getting dressed.
motherdenim.com - 14/14
Women's Solids Ankle Sock 4-Pack
Bombas
bombas.com
$49.40
More than 35,700 other shoppers agree on these deceptively thoughtful socks as their go-to pairs. While they look like standard ankle socks, the honeycomb knit along the center hugs your midfoot for all-day support. The toes are seamless and the sole comes with extra cushion—two more features that make each step more comfortable than the last.
After the ankle socks win you over, try the tall socks with your knee-high and over-the-knee boots.
What reviewers say: "These are super comfortable socks that stay up and don't slide down into the shoe."
Bombas
