Dress socks for men sort by two things: how far up the leg they reach, and the weight of the yarn. By length, the types are ankle, mid-calf and over-the-calf. By weight, a dress sock is either regular or sheer. Mid-calf and over-the-calf dress socks are thin and plain, made to sit under a trouser hem with leather shoes. The ankle length belongs with shorts and sneakers, not a suit. The thin, plain knit is what separates a dress sock from a ribbed athletic sock.
We make sheer pantyhose for men, and two sheer dress socks.
What dress socks are called
The plain name is dress socks. Trouser sock means the same thing: a thin sock cut to sit under a trouser hem, with no rib or cushion to fill a close-fitting shoe. Formal socks and suit socks are two more names for it. All four names point at the same sock.
Length gets its own set of names. Ankle length ends at the ankle bone. Crew socks, also called mid-calf, end partway up the calf. An over-the-calf sock, often shortened to OTC, covers the calf and ends under the knee. Knee-high means the same length.
Dress sock lengths, ankle to below the knee
| Length | Where it ends | Where it belongs |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle length | At or just above the ankle bone | Shorts, sneakers, never a suit |
| Mid-calf (crew) | Partway up the calf | Casual trousers |
| Over-the-calf | Under the knee | Suits and dress trousers |
The dressier the outfit, the longer the sock. A suit wants a sock that ends under the knee, so the trouser never lifts past the top of it.
Below the knee is the length we list for both of our dress socks.
Over the calf vs mid calf when seated
Standing, the trouser hem covers both lengths. Sit down, cross your legs, and the hem rides up the calf. A mid-calf sock can end before the hem does, and then the sock top and the shin above it are what show. An over-the-calf sock ends higher than the hem rises, so the calf stays under cloth. That is the length for a suit or any day spent seated across a table from someone.
Mid-calf earns its place with chinos and a plain shoe on days without a suit. Save the shorter length for those days.
Sheer dress socks against regular ones
Weight is the second way to sort dress socks, and it comes down to the yarn. Denier is the weight of the yarn. Needle count is the number of needles that knit the sock.
A regular dress sock is knit solid, often with a fine rib. A sheer dress sock is knit from a fine yarn with no rib.
Sheer dress socks belong with the same leather shoes and the same suits as a regular over-the-calf sock.
Types of dress socks for men we make
Both of our dress socks are sheer and black, in Standard size, and both reach below the knee. They differ in the knit.
The 1D Sheer Dress Socks 3-Pack is 1 denier on 512 needles, 80% nylon and 20% spandex, with three pairs to a box. The 10D Sheer Dress Sock 2-Pack is 10 denier on 1012 needles, nylon with Lycra spandex, with a reinforced toe and two pairs to a box. The 10D sock resists runs. Which of the two to wear with which suit, shoe and trouser break is covered in our guide to wearing men's sheer dress socks with a suit.
Every order includes disposable gloves for putting a pair on, so nails and rough skin don't catch the knit.
Shoes and trousers for each type
Ankle length stays with sneakers and shorts. Mid-calf goes with casual trousers and a plain leather shoe. Over-the-calf and sheer socks belong with leather dress shoes: oxfords, derbies and monk straps in polished black are the safe start, and dark brown works with navy.
Loafers sit lower over the instep than a lace-up, so the sock is on view while you stand, not only when you sit. Trousers with little or no break, the fold that forms where the hem rests on the shoe, let some of the sock show as you walk. Match dark socks to dark trousers and keep the shoes dark under a pale suit.
Questions about sheer dress socks
Are sheer socks dress socks?
Yes. Sheer is a weight, not a separate category, so a sheer sock sorts by length like any other dress sock and goes with the same shoes.
How do I wash a sheer dress sock?
By hand in cold water, without bleach. Air dry away from heat and keep the socks out of the dryer.
Can I return a pack?
Unopened packs in their original sealed packaging can be returned within 14 days of delivery. Email support@nylo.us first, and see our refund policy. Opened packs are final sale for hygiene.
What does the parcel look like?
Plain packaging, with nothing on the outside that names the product or the category. Your card statement reads NYLO.
Where to start
For a suit, pick a sock that ends under the knee. For everyday wear in leather shoes, start with the 10D Sheer Dress Sock 2-Pack, two pairs in black.
If a sheer sock leads you to a full pair, our 10D Sheer Tights are sheer pantyhose made for men: 10 denier, 1012-needle knitting, woven with Lycra, and our usual first recommendation for men 5'7" to 6'2" (170 to 188 cm) and 145 to 210 lbs (65 to 95 kg).
