The Best Dress Socks Send Your Feet Pics Into the Stratosphere

Best Anti-Odor Dress Socks: Mack Weldon Silver Extended Crew Dress Socks

For the funkier feet among us, socks are a particular pain point. That goes double when you’ve got to jam your dogs into a pair of leather Oxfords instead of ultra-breathable mesh runners. So to prevent the funny looks and crinkled noses, the best anti-stench socks are from Mack Weldon. They’re made using the brand’s Silver fabric which incorporates silver ions into the sock which works to fend off the gross microbes that cause the stink in the first place.

Best Budget Dress Socks: Uniqlo Color Socks

When you’re caught in a bind and need some dress socks that won’t break the bank, the best budget dress socks are undoubtedly from Uniqlo. Not only do they come in every classic suit color you ever need, they come in a zillion different colors that would match all the suits you really don’t. They’re plain, simple, cheap as hell, and in a pinch, they’re great socks that’ll blend into any dressy occasion, even if they’re maybe better suited for situations that don’t require a suit.

Best Cushioned Dress Socks: Gold Toe Harrington Crew Socks (6-Pack)

Unless you spring for bespoke hard-bottoms that are perfectly molded to your feet, most dress shoes aren’t exactly a walk in the park when it comes to comfort, especially straight out of the box. So if you need a little extra cushion, we’d recommend a pair of Gold Toes. They come with a reinforced heel as well as plenty of cushioning at the arch so even if you’re still wincing through breaking in your brand new pair of dress shoes, at least your socks will make the gauntlet a little more bearable. They may not be the dressiest socks, but they come in all the colors you need and can pass muster for most formal situations. Plus, a pack of six pairs will cost you less than a large pepperoni pizza.

More Dress Socks We Love

What to Look For in a Pair of Dress Socks

Can you skate by—proverbially and literally—with a pair of men’s dress socks that doesn’t check every box detailed up top? Sure: you can nix the wool fabric, or eschew that signature luster. The main details you don’t want to futz with, though, are the ribbing, color, and length. Keep the first simple and streamlined, the second in roughly the same hue as your pants, and the third at at least mid-calf.

How We Tested

Between myself and several GQ editors, we owned several of the socks on this list and had hands-on (okay, feet-on) experience with others. I called in potential contenders specifically to wear-test. Based on my own evaluations and feedback from other GQ editors, I emerged with a list of what I believe to be the absolute best dress socks for men right now, factoring in fit, quality, price, availability, and style: from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors; the affordable pairs to the luxury riffs. Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there’s bound to be a pair here for you. (Read more about GQ‘s testing process.)