Have you ever seen a guy rocking some cool socks with shorts and thought it looked good, but you just didn’t think you could pull that look off? Well you can! And it’s simpler than you think. The beauty of fun and colorful socks is that they are an easy way to let you wear your personality on your sleeve … or your feet.
It’s easy to wear bold socks in cooler weather with pants, when people may only catch a glimpse. But the weather has been anything but cool lately, and we dare you to rock these styles with shorts. Follow these simple tips for styling your fun socks to ensure you look and feel great.
Find What You Like
The first step is finding socks that speak to you. Maybe you’re into sports. Maybe you’re a gamer. Maybe you like art or music. Whatever your interest, there are socks that can help you put it on display.
Don’t worry too much about what you’ll wear your socks with at this point — just find some that jump out at you and make you smile.
Your Interests
Your Sense of Humor
Matching Your Clothes
Now that you have some socks that you think truly reflect your inner style, the next step is finding shorts and a shirt that match. This is really a lot simpler than you might assume — there’s no need to feel intimidated!
Most guys have shorts in neutral colors, and this is always a safe bet for pairing with bold socks. Grays, khakis, black and other neutral tones go with just about any sock, and blue shorts can work well with most also. For your top half, if you’re nervous about a look that’s too busy, stick with a shirt in a solid color that’s also somewhere in the socks. You can also choose a simple, small print, like a check or not-too-bold plaid, common in button-down shirts. Graphic T’s are also a great choice, particularly if you have some that match the color story of your new socks.
For the more daring among you out there, consider pairing your bold socks with equally bold other pieces. There’s nothing wrong with a little contrast! Lay a few options out on your bed, with the socks on top, to see how they all work together. If the combo appeals to you, then don’t hold back!
The Right Shoes
Shoes are an awfully personal decision, but we do have some recommendations about what kind of shoes look best with our cool socks. There is some debate over whether socks with sandals is ever a good idea, so whether you want to be in the middle of that is up to you.
For a safer bet, we recommend a cool sneaker. Neutral Chuck Taylors, such as those shown above, look great with just about any colors and show off as much sock as possible. There are tons of awesome sneakers at a variety of price points out there today, so find whatever you love.
For a very California look, you could go with skate shoes such as Vans in either a slip-on or lace-up style, which guys frequently wear with crew socks. Loafers offer a slightly preppier option, and lace-up dress shoes such as Oxfords also look slightly more formal and are very on trend right now.
As far as shoe colors go, you can’t go wrong with neutrals, but you can also have fun with bright sneakers that have a lot of style of their own. If they’re in the same color story as your socks, you should be good to go!
More Fun Options
The Gist: Just Have Fun With It!
These tips can help you get started if you’re interested in bold socks but feeling a little nervous about it. But the best advice we can give you is to just relax and have fun! Socks are one place where guys can show off just a touch of personality and panache. Because they’re a small accessory in an overall wardrobe, you can go bold and bright and still look classy and cool.