They’re a clothing item we all have and we usually wear every day. I am talking about socks. But how many socks should you own?
Let’s take a look at that, and the different types of socks you might own for every occasion.
It’s actually easy to work out how many socks you need. There’s 7 days in a week, and you’ll want some spares, variation and options.
There’s also different socks to wear on different occasions which I’ll get on to.
You should own 10 – 20 pairs of socks which will get you though every day and every occasion in your life. If you’re a minimalist 10 pairs of socks will be enough, but you may want more if you want better options or to skip a few laundry days.
You should change your socks every day, just like your underwear. They’re usually an item which is worn for an entire day and night, which can get sweaty or smelly easily so should be washed after 1 wear.
If you read my blog you’ll know that I love socks! I have so many pairs of socks, I can’t even count them. I have way more than 20 pairs, enough to easily get me through a month without washing.
There are a few different types of socks. I split my socks into 3 or 4 categories. These are:
- Smart Plain Socks
- Patterned Socks
- Trainer Socks
- Sports Socks
This is how I wear each category of sock.
Smart Plain Socks
My smart plain socks are as they sound, smart and plain. I love patterned socks, but there’s sometimes the case for wearing a plain sock, so I have them for this reason.
The expression of coloured and patterned socks is something I love. But if or when I need a plain pair, I have plenty.
The colours I have in my plain socks are mostly black, but I also have blue, dark grey and dark red.
Patterned Socks
As already mentioned I adore my patterned socks. I wear them every day, and even wear them on occasions such as nights out.
They’re great to wear with smart shoes, and give a bit more personality to an outfit. If you get to see a glimpse, they become a bit of a talking point.
I’ve been buying Happy Socks for years, which have tons of designs. From stripes to geometric patterns and polka dots, they have everything covered.
Trainer Socks
When it comes to wearing socks in the summer, sometimes I go for trainer socks. These are socks you can’t see, so you appear to be wearing no socks. When I want the sockless look this is what I go for.
I tend to do this when I wear socks with shorts, so that’s why I consider no show socks or trainer socks a summer thing.
Sports Socks
If I go on a run I wear sports socks. For me, I don’t care about these socks. I have around 7 – 10 pairs, so I can wear a different pair each time I go running in the week.
For these I don’t care about the quality. They’re just a layer between my feet and my running shoes. They should be comfortable of course which they are, but in terms of the quality, it doesn’t matter so much.
When Should I Throw Socks Away?
How do you know when to get rid of socks? It can be a tough choice, but you’ve got to just check the look and feel.
If they’re a bit drab, a bit bobbly and you feel like they’re for the bin, it’s time to let them go. If your socks have a hole in you should throw them out.
Don’t be the guy who walks around with a hole in one sock. Just throw the pair away and get a fresh new pair of socks.
The good thing is that the more socks you have the less time each pair is going to be worn, so they’ll last longer.
On That Note
And that’s it. You should own 10 – 20 pairs of socks which should cover every occasion and have a few pairs left over for options and skipping a laundry day or two. Make sure you keep your socks in good condition and wash them after each use and you’ll be good.
You can check out more fashion tips in the style guide if you’re looking for advice on your daily wears, how to dress or anything else relating to personal style.
About Michael
Michael Adams is the founder and editor of Michael 84, blogger from Newcastle, UK. Sharing men's fashion tips, style advice and lifestyle information for all guys.
