One of my main aims for making these articles is to get you to experiment with new things and to enable you to break out of your normal routine.
Despite my persistent begging, there is one stylistic move that I see so many men shun.
Going sockless or, to be more specific, flashing your mankle in a pair of no-show socks is, in my opinion, the perfect warm weather style.
Without a question, no-show socks, also known as low-profile or invisible socks, are a modern warm-weather must-have.
They give your ensembles a relaxed, laid-back vibe and can be worn with a variety of pants and shoe combinations to fit any dress code, from casual to dressy and anything in between.
I put together my comprehensive guide to no-show socks because it’s my aim to help you look your best at all times.
This article will go over all of the intricacies of this contentious menswear item, allowing you to boost your particular style and show off those dashing ankles to the rest of the world.
Prepare to become granular, because I’ll be giving my professional advice on how to identify the perfect pair for you towards the end.
Why Should You Wear No-Show Socks?
If you’re like most people, your first thought is probably something along the lines of “why do you need a pair of no-show socks?”
That is an excellent question.
There are several reasons why you should add these bad boys to your sock collection, but they can basically be put into two categories: aesthetic and protective.
To begin with, a number of footwear options, such as boat shoes and various loafers, look completely out of place when worn with standard socks, as these are all low-cut shoes that require a low-cut sock to truly shine.
Combining them with anything else can be distracting and, in the end, spoil a perfectly nice outfit.
But why can’t I just wear no socks?
Another excellent question.
When worn without socks, most shoes, particularly leather dress shoes, can wreak havoc on your sensitive feet.
I’m talking about blisters, athlete’s foot, and other painful conditions.
A good pair of socks produces a thin but effective barrier between your feet and your shoes, preventing you from developing foot pain.
Let’s talk about sweat a little bit next.
Whether you like it or not, putting your bare feet into any pair of closed-toed shoes will cause them to sweat.
Sweat, while a necessary bodily function, contains bacteria and germs that will discolor and degrade the internal fabric of your shoe over time.
Simply put, if you wear socks with your shoes, they will last significantly longer than if you don’t.
Also, in case you didn’t know, sweat stinks. If you make the blunder of going sockless, it won’t be long before your feet and shoes begin to stink. It’s not fair to you, the people around you, and it’s certainly not fair to those lovely penny loafers you just spent a couple hundred dollars on.
When Is It Okay to Wear No-Show Socks?
There’s a chance you’re thinking to yourself, “I’m persuaded, I don’t need regular crew socks anymore.” From now on, I’m only going to wear no-shows.
Take it easy, cowboy!
I’m not suggesting that no-shows should be your default sock. I’m only stating that they should and should not be worn in certain instances.
In fact, I’m seeing more and more guys wearing them at inopportune times, putting the “no” in no-show socks.
When is it appropriate to wear no-show socks?
The first and most obvious response is whenever the weather begins to warm up and become more sunny.
You might live in a place like Florida where the sun shines all year, or you might live somewhere where the sun only shines a few days a year.
No-show socks, on the other hand, will undoubtedly be the far more comfortable alternative when the temperature rises.
If you’re wearing no-show socks to suit your overall outfit, on the other hand, you’ll need to be more deliberate.
After all, there’s no point in wearing no-show socks if your ankle will be hidden by a conventional hem on your pant leg. Instead, opt for ordinary socks in this situation.
However, if you want to show some skin while wearing cuffed pants, shorts, or pants with a shorter hem, no-show socks will be your best friend.
Flashing and exposing the mangle is a time-honored and extremely fashionable action.
Also, if your pants have a minor break, your best bet is to stick with traditional crew socks.
If you’re like the majority of guys, you probably believe there are only two types of socks: standard and no-show.
Many people believe that no-show socks and ankle socks are the same thing, depending on who you ask.
Ankle socks are typically worn below or just above the ankle, and because they are supposed to be seen, they have a visible aesthetic that, if worn wrong, may completely detract from any outfit.
Types of No-show Socks
Allow me to hit you with one more important piece of information before you hit Add to Cart.
No-show socks come in a variety of types, and the one you choose is determined by the type of shoe you’re wearing.
Although all no-show socks are designed to be completely invisible, there are two distinct cuts to pick from depending on how much foot coverage you require.
No-show socks are a safe bet for most shoes. If you’re wearing a loafer, though, you’ll want to make sure you don’t see any of the no-show sock, which is why a loafer liner, also known as an ultra low cut sock, is recommended.
Loafer liners cover less of your foot and have an opening that begins around your toes rather than the middle or top of the foot.
What Shoes Should I Wear If I’m Wearing No-Show Socks?
Another question you might have is what kind of socks I should wear with my selection of shoes.
For years, man has pondered this subject. It’s a question I hear from males on a regular basis.
I’ll start with the topic of wearing ankle socks with shoes, as this is a type of sock that is frequently misconstrued for a no-show.
Ankle socks, as previously said, are designed to be visible and act as a protective barrier between the ankle and the shoe’s side.
That’s why they’re great to wear when you’re working out, but never outside of that because they’re an eyesore with any outfit.
Low-top sneakers, dress shoes, loafers like driving mocks or penny loafers, espadrilles, and boat shoes are all good shoes for regular no-show socks.
Loafer liners, also known as super low no-show socks, are the ideal sock to wear with low-cut shoes like penny loafers or driving mocks.
You never want to see any sock material with this type of shoe, and loafers are pretty much the reason why no-show sauce exists in the first place.
The exposed ankle softens the shoe’s formal appearance, achieving the ideal combination of professional and casual.
What Shoes Should You Avoid When Wearing No-Show Socks?
Are there some shoes, however, with which you should not wear no-show socks?
That is an excellent question.
When wearing shoes that rub your ankle, such as athletic shoes, high-top sneakers, or lace-up boots, I recommend wearing crew socks or ankle socks, as previously mentioned.
This will eliminate any unnecessary friction and irritation, which is the last thing you want when putting on your shoes.
Which Pants Work With No-Show Socks?
So, you’ve decided on your shoes, and now it’s time to talk about the other factor that may make or break a no-show sock look: your pants.
Which pants, specifically, look best with your exposed man ankles?
Shorts are a must-have and should be worn 99.9% of the time with no-show socks.
If you’re wearing long pants, such as jeans or chinos, make sure they break at or just above the ankle. You can achieve this by purchasing shorter pants, hemming the cuff, or rolling or cuffing the bottom of your pants.
This specific style move looks especially good with chinos and jeans because it doesn’t necessitate any changes, allowing you to wear them all year.
What if you wish to flaunt your ankles while wearing your suits or dress pants?
Whether you’re wearing no-show socks with dress shoes, penny loafers, or sneakers, make sure your dressier pants are hemmed with no break or a small shorter length.
Also, the leg should taper from knee to ankle so that there isn’t a lot of cloth around your ankle.
This is one of my favorite style moves since it demonstrates that you know what you’re doing.
How to Buy No-Show Socks
I’ve covered how, when, and why you should start wearing no-show socks in your summer wardrobe up until this point.
Hopefully, I’ve persuaded you that this is the best decision you can make.
What should you look for in your first pair of shoes?
When it comes to color, it doesn’t matter because no one will notice.
The most important thing to consider is how your sock fits your foot.
Your no-show socks should, in general, have an adhesive in the heel. While walking, this maintains the sock in place. The last thing you want to do is have to continuously changing your sock during the day.
Many no-show socks, like crew socks, are only available in one size, and if you have exceptionally large or small feet, this might cause the socks to slip and bunch inside your shoe, which can be extremely painful.
If you’re looking for something more tailored, look for a brand like Bombas, which sells no-show socks in certain sizes, allowing for a better overall fit.
You can’t go wrong with cotton, but if you’re looking for something lighter, a cotton spandex blend or tencel are great options.
That’s all there is to it.
You no longer have an excuse to hide your ankles the next time the weather warms up.
