Our sponsor Dapper Classics has been running a 12 Days of Christmas promotion, where each day features a new discount. Today is the last day of the promotion—and it features the best deal we’ve seen on dress socks.
If you’re just starting to build a better wardrobe, high-quality socks may not be a priority. And if you’re used to paying $5 for a pack of Gold Toes or Hanes, $25 dress socks can seem exorbitant. But like anything else, a good sock wardrobe can be slowly built over time. Buy a pair here or there whenever you get the urge to spend. Before you know it, you’ll have all the socks you need.
Dapper Classics’ socks are made in North Carolina by a third-generation family-owned mill. The socks are made from high-quality yarns and hand-linked at the toes. Since they’re not imported from overseas, Dapper Classics doesn’t have to pay for international shipping, taxes, or duties, which results in a lower price for consumers. I find Dapper Classics’ socks to be as good or even better than my socks from high-end European brands such as Bresciani or Marcoliani. The solid-colored socks across these brands are about equal, although Dapper Classics’ patterned socks somehow last longer. (I once asked Dapper Classics founder Fred Rich how they’re able to make pin dot socks that don’t fuzz up in the wash, and he gave a technical answer that flew over my head).
At $10/ pair, this is the lowest price we’ve ever seen. If you wear tailored clothing with any regularity, get at least seven or eight pairs of over-the-calf navy socks in a mix of wool and cotton (Dapper Classics’ cotton socks are a Godsend in the summertime). Navy socks can be worn with anything—odd trousers or suits in any color short of black (for which you will want black socks). Next, get some socks that match the color of your trousers—grey with grey, brown with brown—and supplement with conservative patterns such as pin dot, houndstooth, birdseye, and grenadine for when you want to add visual interest to an outfit.
In the last ten years, men have grown cautious of fun socks for good reason. But I also think they can be worn tastefully on certain occasions. I love wearing Dapper Classics’ patriotic American flag socks on the Fourth of July and election days. Their festive holiday socks are a cheerful choice for holiday parties, and I support anything with animals. My latest obsession is over-the-calf socks in this banana color. I once saw a photo of Bruce Boyer wearing similar socks with tan chinos, a light blue oxford shirt, and a navy sport coat and thought the color lent some tasteful levity to the outfit. The same socks can be worn with seersucker or tan cotton suits in the summertime. For $10, you can hardly go wrong.
Note, the promotion ends on December 21 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Discount is automatically applied at checkout, and there’s free USA shipping on orders over $50.
