Long gone are the days when socks were just an item thrown on your feet. Now, they’re an integral part of your outfit, whether you can see them or not. Sometimes, they’re a fashion statement. Other times, they serve a purpose, such as ankle support or cushioned soles for walking.
Especially in the summertime when wearing shorts, it can be tricky to decide the little details that make an outfit. But figuring out what socks to wear with shorts doesn’t have to be complicated! Here’s our guide on choosing the right socks for any outfit this summer.
How to Pick What Socks to Wear with Shorts This Summer
When it comes to picking the right socks for your outfit, whilst there aren’t any set rules, we’re sure you’ll still want to look the part, regardless of the occasion or your style. Here are a few points to consider when choosing what socks to wear with shorts this summer.
Think About Materials
Whilst you can get socks made out of just about every clothing material, your best bet is always something soft and sweat-wicking. That’s why the majority of socks are made from cotton, cotton blends, wool, or bamboo. It just depends on the activities you’ll be doing to determine which type of material you might prefer.
Consider the Rest of Your Outfit
If you’re wearing a colourful outfit, a pair of neutral-coloured socks might be the way to go. A neutral outfit means you can add a pop of colour with your socks instead. Maybe your outfit has a specific colour theme, and your socks could tie your whole outfit together?
Choose the Right Pair of Shoes
The main items that can make or break any outfit are the shoes. You wouldn’t wear a formal outfit with your running trainers. Likewise, you also wouldn’t pair shorts and a T-shirt with a pair of patent leather brogues. Whilst the lines between smart and casual can overlap, your shoes are often the first impression your outfit makes!
Think About the Occasion or the Event You’re Going To
Is your outfit smart, casual, or somewhere in between? Looking put-together can come down to your accessories, from a hat on top of your head to the socks on your feet. When it comes to formalwear, there are definite rules as to which socks to pick. Casual outfits get a lot more leeway, but you still want to look the part.
What Socks Should I Wear with Shorts This Summer?
There’s such a wide range of shorts available on the market right now, across the high street and online. Shorts are designed to be functional, but they’ve definitely become more of a fashion statement in recent years. Whilst there’s no right or wrong pairing of socks and shorts, some complement each other much better than others.
We’ve rounded up our four most popular shorts styles and selected the types of socks that look best with them. It comes down to style and occasion for each pair, so bear that in mind when selecting the right items for you and your lifestyle.
Quartered Rugby Shorts
Our most casual of our shorts collection is our quartered rugby shorts. With five colourways to choose from, they’re perfect for all kinds of casual occasions, from chilling out at home to running errands with the family. The deep pockets and elasticated waist make them our comfiest shorts too, which is why they’re so popular!
This style sits just above the knee, making them a flattering length for most country gentlemen, and we’re sure that you’ll practically live in yours throughout the seasons, too.
What socks to wear with these shorts? Shorter socks are best with this style, whether it’s trainer socks or crew socks. Because you’ll most likely be wearing these shorts with trainers, you want something as casual as possible.
Cargo Shorts
Cargo shorts are also a casual style, but because ours are made from breathable cotton, they’re perfect for exploring the outdoors, too. Many cargo shorts have a tighter fit, whereas ours are loose enough to hike in and have a ton of pockets.
Available in khaki, navy, and sand, the neutral shades mean you can add a pop of colour on your top half or indeed, your socks.
What socks to wear with these shorts? Because we recommend them for walking, pairing them with hiking socks is a great idea. Our thermal hiking socks are super lightweight and breathable, along with having extra padding on the sole and around the heel.
Chino Shorts
If you’re looking for a pair of shorts that you can dress up and down easily, chino shorts are the best option for you. We wouldn’t recommend them for full formalwear, but if you’re off to an outdoor summer party or work in a relaxed office environment, chino shorts are ideal.
They’re a relaxed fit, so you can move around easily in them. However, if you’re after more of a fitted look for dressier occasions, we recommend that you size down.
What socks to wear with these shorts? Smart, plain coloured socks work best with chino shorts, and they can be ankle socks for less formal occasions. No-show socks for formal events are a must, so you can still wear smarter shoes.
Cotton Shorts
Another casual option is plain cotton shorts – perfect for family days out and countryside trips. Again, neutral shades of navy, khaki, and black mean they’re one of our most versatile shorts, too.
Whether you pair them with a polo shirt or a hoodie when the temperature drops, these cotton shorts are comfy, cosy, and practical. In fact, these shorts will go with just about every type of top-half item to make a great everyday outfit.
What socks to wear with these shorts? Anything goes. Trainer or crew socks with canvas trainers, colourful ankle socks for a pop of colour, or even hiking socks if you’re off for a walk. Show off your personality with some colour or pattern if you want to!