Your tuxedo ensemble is impeccable – your jacket, pants, shirt, tie, vest and shoes are all carefully styled and crisp in their appearance. Even your pocket square is folded perfectly and making notice in your jacket pocket. So when you sit down and the hem of your pants lift, you better not be showing off a pair of tacky white gym socks. Yes, your socks need to be fashionable, too.

It’s time to up your game and learn what you should be putting on your feet when you opt for formal attire. In short, sock fashion does matter. Follow these Do’s and Don’ts…

Do…
For a subtler approach, choose solid or patterned socks in neutrals, such as black, navy blue, gray or beige. Try to coordinate with the color of your pants, so when someone gets a glimpse of your socks, they blend with your overall look.

Do…
For a more vibrant statement, choose colorful socks. Don’t be shy. Coordinating the color of your socks with the formal accessories of your tuxedo or suit is perfectly acceptable and a smart fashion statement. Wearing a turquoise vest and tie? Well, why shouldn’t your socks be turquoise, too? We offer a bunch of sock colors that sync up nicely with many of our most popular tie and vest colors.

Don’t…
Your everyday white socks should stay in the dresser drawer. Reserve them for your morning run or visits to the gym. Tuxedo pants, suit pants and white socks never go together, ever. Don’t even think about it!

Do…
Pick out socks with a smooth, uniform texture. The ribbing that you see on your everyday socks or athletic socks does not look good tucked inside formal or dress shoes. They will often bunch at the heel and be too thick to make the shoes feel comfortable.

FOR A MORE VIBRANT STATEMENT, CHOOSE COLORFUL SOCKS. DON’T BE SHY. COORDINATING THE COLOR OF YOUR SOCKS WITH THE FORMAL ACCESSORIES OF YOUR TUXEDO OR SUIT IS PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE AND A SMART FASHION STATEMENT…

Don’t…
Going commando in your shoes is tacky, even if you prefer to be barefoot 90 percent of the time. Dressy occasions call for socks. Please wear them! Plus, socks keep foot discomfort to a minimum.

Do…
Select a sock that is mid-calf in height. Footies, ankle socks or knee-highs look awkward with formal wear. Showing skin below your pant cuff is a no-no.

Don’t…
Steer clear of dress socks made from synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, rayon, polyester and acrylic as they don’t allow your skin to breathe. Instead opt for natural fibers such as cotton, wool or silk. The socks we offer for purchase through your nearest Jim’s Formal Wear Retailer are made almost entirely of cotton. Very cool and comfortable to wear.

Do…
Express your personality with your sock fashion. Choose patterns you like. Choose colors you like. Choose colors that coordinate with non-traditional tuxedo accessories like suspenders. Most formal events are infrequent so you get one good shot to create a formal look you will remember and be remembered for. You’re crazy to overlook the impact of a cool pair of socks!

Make sock shopping simple. Check out the Jim’s Formal Wear sock gallery and browse both solid and patterned options to find the perfect finishing touch to your formal ensemble