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Brown socks with blue/navy pants and brown shoes?

18K views 23 replies 18 participants last post by  JBierly  
#1 ·
Are brown socks ok when wearing blue/navy pants with brown shoes?
 
#3 ·
The general rule is that color of one's socks should match the color of one's trousers. In other words, blue with blue, and tan with tan, etc. The gravity of this rule is proportional to formality. Thus, dress trousers usually should be paired with socks of the same color, especially if the forum or occasion is formal such as a court appearance, board meeting or certain cocktail type functions. Because context matters dress trousers can even be paired with colorful socks that are intended to be a bit playful if the forum or circumstance is more casual. One has considerably more latitude with khakis and cords, and the rule arguably has no application to jeans.
 
#9 ·
There are times when socks can match your shoes, but this is not one of those times. With trousers that are close to the colour of the shoes, it's okay to match socks to your shoes. With the same colour family, it's also okay to match your socks to your shoes. With boots you can match your socks to the boots since the boots already are obscuring most of the socks, and continuing the line of the trousers to the top of the boots is hardly going to make a difference. With boots I actually prefer to match my socks to them because ankle boots can often end at an awkward height, and extending the line up with the socks makes the boot look taller.
 
#10 ·
Boy, this turned complicated quick. Even Matt has me bogged down. On the previous page where a couple of posters quoted this extension of your pants thing: just say no. Or rather yes, if you want to cling to a sorry saying, but otherwise no because a sock is no more an extension of your pants than an exposed shirt cuff is an extension of your jacket. No idea where beloved Andy got that from. Gray. Goes with everything. All I wear. 600 pair, or it seems like it.
 
#11 ·
A businessman matches his socks to his trousers. A gentleman matches his socks to his mood. Whatherheck kind of mood is brown socks? I'd wear something with salmon, bird dogs or deer on it. This is autumn, after all. Or if you're not into field sports, perhaps something with pumpkins or turkeys.
 
#24 ·
Colorful socks with brown and blue in them would be the most fun. Blue socks better than brown. I think with nice shoes having an abrupt contrast between the sock and the shoe can highlight the shoes and make them stand out which is not a bad thing if you are looking at one's feet. Matching socks with shoes is great when wearing black tie.