Best men's socks UK 2023, including Uniqlo, M&S and Percival | The Sun
SOCKS are one of those items we don’t tend to think about very often.
Similar to underwear, we might buy a few pairs, forget about them and then wear them to death or until multiple holes and loose threads render them useless.
But socks can largely make or break an outfit, with the wrong colour pair throwing things off completely and making your otherwise well-thought-out shirt and trouser combo look rushed and thrown together.
The correct pair, on the other hand, can complete a look, making everything appear pristine and well-considered. So, in short, it pays to invest in a few pairs you can rely on day in, day out.
From sports-inspired white socks, ideal for finishing off casual outfits, to smarter ones you can wear with tailoring, here are the best men’s socks you can buy.
What to consider when buying men's socks
Fabric
You might not give your sock’s fabric much thought, and we wouldn’t blame you; there are far more interesting ways to spend your time.
But, while it’s not a particularly fun topic, going for the right fabric can make all the difference to your feet’s comfort.
You’ll want to look out for natural fibres first and foremost, with cotton being a particularly good option for year-round wear. Cotton is lightweight and breathable and won’t, unlike poly blends, make your feet sweat unnecessarily.
Alternatively, you could look out for light merino wool, lambswool or even cashmere for a more luxurious purchase. Just note on the latter; while cashmere feels endlessly soft on your feet, you won’t be able to machine wash them. Cashmere is hand wash only, which might make them a bit of a pain to wear regularly.
Smart vs casual
There are broadly two types of socks you can buy. Those designed for sports, or sports-inspired, which are typically slightly chunkier and made from white cotton; or those that are slightly smarter, and work better with leather shoes rather than trainers.
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If you want socks you can wear with sneakers then it’s advised that you only go for sporty white socks, as anything else will just look strange.
On the flip side, if you want socks you can wear with derbies, loafers or leather boots, consider the regular cotton or ribbed sock, which is slightly smarter.
Best men's socks, at a glance
- Best budget socks: Amazon Essentials
- Best black socks: Alaplus
- Best luxury socks: Nudie Jeans
- Best value socks: John Lewis
- Best minimal socks: Uniqlo
- Best statement socks: Moss Bros
Amazon Essentials
- Essentials Men's Cotton Half-Cushioned Crew Socks (10 pairs), £18.80 from Amazon – buy here
When it comes to sports socks, plain white gym socks are among the most versatile of all.
This ten-pack offers particularly great value for money, and with their simple design and comfortable fit, these socks are ideal for wearing every day with your favourite pair of trainers.
Coming with a ribbed design, they have smooth toe and heel seams with grey panelling and cushioned soles for ultimate comfort. They’re also made from a cotton blend, ensuring they’ll be breathable and kind against your feet all day long.
Alaplus
- Alaplus Men's Socks (6 pairs), £19.99 from Amazon – buy here
It’s hard to go wrong with black socks, but there are a few things to look out for.
For slightly sportier styles, consider a chunkier fabric, which offers much more comfort than the thinner fabrics of smarter socks.
This pair, which comes in a six-pack, is made from a thick cotton blend fabric, making them ideal for wearing to the gym, playing sports, hiking, or just wearing casually.
But they also come with an extra chunky section on the heel, which improves blister prevention, helps with shock absorption and wicks moisture away from the skin.
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Uniqlo
- Colour Socks, £3.90 from Uniqlo – buy here
Uniqlo has long produced some of the best socks on the high street.
Walk into any one of its stores and the racks of satisfyingly colour-coded socks just begs to be tackled, and the brand’s 4 for £12.90 deal helps with that.
For simple, well made socks, it’s hard to go wrong.
M&S
- 7pk Cool & Fresh Socks, £16 from M&S – buy here
For casual basics that do the job every time, M&S is always worth a shot. That’s no different for its socks, which are well made and come in versatile, easy to wear colours.
This seven-pack consists of neutral shades, with contrasting blocks of colour that elevates them slightly. Made from a lightweight, comfortable cotton blend with the brand’s Cool & Fresh tech, you can rely on them day in day out.
John Lewis
- John Lewis ANYDAY Cotton Rich Plain Men's Socks (Pack of 5) – buy here
Among the best value for money on this entire list, this five-pack of socks from John Lewis is made up of greys and blues, cool tones that work well with smart casual attire.
Made from a cotton blend and with a lightweight, thin construction, try these for wearing to the office in spring and summer.
Nudie Jeans
- Amundsson Sport Socks, £10 from Nudie Jeans – buy here
Nudie is well renowned for its excellent denim jeans, so it only makes sense the Swedish brand would produce socks to complement them.
This retro styled striped pair comes in off white and with navy and orange stripes for a suitable ‘70s look, and one that would perfectly finish off a pair of selvedge jeans.
Percival
- Ramen Socks, £12 from Percival – buy here
Percival has made its name off of quirky embellishments to its polo shirts and T-shirts, with cheeky embroidered patches ranging from cutlery to cars.
This pair of socks gets the stitched treatment with its own bowl of ramen, for a playful, subtle nod to the wearer’s preference for flavourful broth.
Arket
- Rib Knit Socks (Set of 2), £7 from Arket – buy here
Most retro striped socks you’ll find will come in either white or off-white, making this green pair particularly interesting.
Finished in a dark bottle green and accessorised with two thin white stripes at the top, they’ll work well with black or navy denim, and thanks to the versatile colour can be worn with both trainers or leather shoes.
Moss Bros
- Mustard Fine Ribbed Socks, £7.95 from Moss Bros – buy here
If you want a quick, easy way to spice up a look, try a bold, colourful sock.
This Moss Bros pair comes in a vibrant mustard yellow, which offers a welcome contrast against navy blue trousers or jeans.
Made from a cotton blend, they’re lightweight and come with a slightly longer length, so your calf won’t show when you sit down and your trousers rise up.
Railroad Sock
- Railroad Sock Crew Socks (6 Pack), £26 from Blacksmith Store – buy here
Blacksmith has stocked these Railroad Socks for a few years now, and they hit the spot for comfortable, athletic pairs.
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Made in Missouri in the USA, they come in a soft combed cotton and are finished in grey, for a slightly less harsh alternative to white.
Try these with everything from chinos and jeans to shorts and tailored trousers.
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