Sock Lengths Guide (2024)

FAQs

Sock Lengths Guide? ›

Low Cut Socks – Reach the way up to the ankles and are great for casual and formal wear. Ankle Socks – Reaches anywhere above the ankle and below the mid-calf, lends a more casual look, and perfectly complement dress shoes and boots. Crew Socks – They are taller than ankle socks and reach mid-calf length.

Low Cut Socks – Reach the way up to the ankles and are great for casual and formal wear. Ankle Socks – Reaches anywhere above the ankle and below the mid-calf, lends a more casual look, and perfectly complement dress shoes and boots. Crew Socks – They are taller than ankle socks and reach mid-calf length.

Quarter-length socks are about 6” tall and end right above the ankle and below mid-calf. Quarter ankle socks pair well with mid or high-top shoes and prevent chafing around your ankles. Quarter-length socks can be used as an alternative to crew-length or over-the-calf socks when the weather is unbearably hot.

There are two main sock sizes. Sock size 9–11 fits about a women's shoe size 5–10 and sock size 11–13 fits approximately men's shoe size 8–13. These sizes often correspond with a small and large size for companies using gender-neutral sizing.

To measure your foot for socks, measure the length from the heel of your foot to the tip of your longest toe. The measurement in inches correlates to your sock size. For example, if your foot is 10 inches long, a sock size 9-11 should fit you comfortably.

The Sock Height Chameleon

Crew socks are the most common height for casual and dress socks, meaning you probably have a few pairs of these sitting in your sock drawer.

Most jeans will cover the collar and topline of your shoes at the very least, so the best option is to pair them with trouser socks, which sit mid-calf, though you are better off with a more casual style. Sport socks are a particularly good option here, especially if you are wearing jeans with trainers.

The general rule on how to style socks 101, is that you should match your sock colour with your pants, and not your shoes. However, we have seen some great pant-sock-shoe coordinations that don't generally abide by this rule.

For the best fit, a sock for an adult should measure about 10 percent—practically speaking, that corresponds to about 1” (2.5 cm)—smaller than the actual leg or foot circumference, and about 1/2” (1.3 cm) shorter than the actual foot length.

How long is a size 10 sock? ›

Yes. Thick socks could make your shoes smaller by at least half a size or 1 size. This mainly affects well fitting or form fitting shoes such as slip on/off high heel shoes that will be impossible to wear comfortably with thick socks.

This is the most popular style of dress and casual socks. Measuring from the ankle, they sit about 6 inches up the calf, coming up to just below the midpoint of the lower leg. This is the minimum length you need to make some sort of fashion statement, as there is ample room for patterns and designs.

Crew socks are your traditional-length socks. Whether it's a professional function, general working socks, or day-to-day activities, crew-cut socks are a great go-to choice. Crew-cut socks might be the standard option, but they don't have to be boring!

If you find yourself pulling your socks up multiple times every workout, it's a sign you're wearing a size too big! Likewise, if you feel like your cuff is squeezing too hard or causing discomfort, choosing a larger size can help alleviate those issues. A well-fitting cuff is snug and stays put!

Formal socks come in two main lengths: Over the calf and mid calf. Why are formal socks longer than casual crew-length socks? Because for formalwear, the rule of thumb is that a man should never expose part of their bare leg.

Quarter socks are often called shorty socks, anklets or just ankle socks, but compared to the shorter low-cut ankle sock, they are on the longer side. A quarter sock is about half the length of a crew sock — if you think of knee socks as 100% leg coverage and crew socks as 50%, quarter socks are 25% — so, a quarter!