Men’s Style Tips: Back-to-work favourites

Dress for success this September…

Whatever your age, September always arrives with a back-to-school feeling. Wondering what the grown up equivalent of buying new stationary is? It's refreshing your sock drawer.

Whether your professional style is still all about the suits or your set up is more laidback, there is no better feeling than pulling on a great pair of socks in the morning and a sock drawer loaded with pairs you can count on to make the right statement.

What colour of socks should you wear to the office?

Gone are the days when black and grey were the only appropriate socks for the workplace. And thank goodness. There is real power in a dash of colour. The right shade can lift your look and your mood. Classy, colourful socks are a great way to add some professional personality at work.

With suits, block colours are always a safe bet and our signature Simply Sartorial collection has over 39 shades to choose from. Try Saffron for something unexpected with navy tailoring or Ruby Red with charcoal. Block colours look equally great if your work style is more casual. Pink lifts black outfits, and blues look great with denim. 

Shaken & Stirred in Royal Blue was made for your jeans

What socks are appropriate for business-casual?

For many, business-casual has replaced the traditional suit and tie dress code at the office. Socks become the way to add intention and polish. The key is to balance personality and precision: swap sports socks and more casual athletic styles for lightweight knits that sit smoothly inside loafers and Derbies. Grounding solid colours like darker greens, navy and deep reds are effortless choices for denim and khakis. You can also add a heritage pattern like argyle or houndstooth for a relaxed but elevated finish.

Business-Casual calls for Olive Green Simply Sartorials

Are patterned socks OK for the office?

Yes, but with one crucial caveat: patterns should be sophisticated and classic, not garish or novelty. Save your Gryffindor socks for the weekend and keep it considered with office-appropriate patterns like houndstooths, herringbones, argyles, tasteful stripes and fine spots. When worn with crisp chinos or your suit, a stylish pattern is a thoughtful detail, not a loud statement.

What's the rule for matching your socks to your trousers and shoes?

Match your socks to your trousers not your shoes. While not a rule to follow blindly, extending the colour of your trousers down to your socks keeps your silhouette long and lean. Conversely, matching your socks just to your shoes will cut you off awkwardly at the ankle. If you're wearing a patterned sock, pick a pair where the base colour anchors to your trousers. Keep it simple.

What traditional socks are safest for work?

Prefer to stick to steadfast shades like grey, black and navy? We see you. You can't ever go wrong with the classics – and they don't need to be boring. Try experimenting with different shades of your favourite traditionals: French Blue is a great alternative to Royal Navy, Earl Grey is a softer sibling to Cannonball. And for something classic but contemporary, neutrals like Cotswolds Stone and Hazelnut Brown are elegant and feel modern. 

If you trust traditional, but want to add a twist, why not opt for an understated pattern. Our Spot of Style range is low key style personified (the Classic Black pair are a great way to smarten up chinos and crisp white trainers), while our Jermyn St Houndstooth collection is a modern twist on a quintessentially British classic. 

How many pairs of work socks do you actually need?

The sweet spot is six pairs – a seamless rotation for the working week. If you want complete drawer immunity from laundry day and to keep it interesting with a sock shade for every mood, 15 pairs will cover you. Try one of LSC's 15-pair collections.

What socks can you wear if you are on your feet all day?

For those of us whose workspace is anything but a traditional office, we have you covered too. On your feet all day? Medical teams and teachers, we are looking at you. Your socks will require extra breathability, comfort and durability. Enter LSC’s signature boot socks. Great for outdoor, all-weather jobs, yes. But also great as extra-comfortable pairs for those whose pedometer works overtime every day.

Those with extremely active roles (athletes, personal trainers, gym teachers) will also be well-served by the Simply Active Collection of organic cotton sports socks. High performance pairs designed to cushion, support and breathe, while looking really great.

Work Socks 101

Can you wear black socks with brown shoes?

Yes, you can. The main consideration should be coordinating your sock colour with your trousers. A well-paired trouser and sock combo will elongate your legs. While brown shoes and black socks are a safe match, colours like burgundy, olive or dark green, and rich oranges like rust will work even better with brown leather.

What socks should I wear with my work chinos?

A pair of well-cut chinos is a foundation of any strong professional wardrobe, as a neutral base they pair effortlessly with almost any sock colour. Navy, grey and black are the obvious safe shouts, but don't be afraid to add personality with considered pops of colour. Saffron works well with cream, ruby red is a knock out with navy, and greens work wonders with brown and khakis. For more inspiration, see our guide on how to style chinos.

How can I show personality with my work wardrobe?

Socks are the simplest way to add some flair to your professional look. The right pairs will show both personality and polish. Always avoid novelty socks in the office – leave that wacky pair with lobsters on them in the back of the drawer. Instead, if you want something a bit unexpected, go for classic patterned socks – herringbones, houndstooths, fine stripes or spots – in sophisticated colours. Otherwise, block coloured dress socks are a grown up way of adding character – pinks, red, purple, green ... colourful socks will help you feel confident and stylish.