[Orsini]

I know it is commonly said that one should match socks to the pants... but

Do you feel solid black, plain socks are totally out of line for a navy suit with black shoes ?

Socks should match the trousers, OR the shoes, OR "bridge" the gap, OR call out something above the waist (a la: Fred Astaire) AND, above all, should be fun.

For business (unless one of the glamour industries), the safest bet is to match the socks to the trousers, but few will notice if they are black rather than navy.

 

[Orsini]

...I have worn black many times with no dire consequences...

How do you know? How can you tell what opportunities you have missed.

Maybe, but for black socks with navy trousers, you would have gotten a ride in Formula 1. Or a date with Grace Kelly. How can you tell?

You might have been the third best guy not to be F-1 Champ.

 

[Orsini]

..."Generally, socks should coordinate with the color of your shoes, but not contrast too strongly with trousers. Black socks with black shoes and shades of brown with brown shoes, but no darker than the shoe itself are appropriate. To have a little more fun with your socks, you can use them to bring out some of the other colors of your selected clothing."...

This is good, although I had not really thought much about socks darker than shoes...