Sock Etiquette for Gentlemen
The English gentleman, or anyone aspiring to emulate one, should alway pay particular attention to socks. Some people have different stylistic approaches in this area but there is one golden rule:
Your sock should be of sufficient length so as not to display your bare leg.
The only exception would be, wearing no socks at all. This is only acceptable in conjunction with Gucci loafers. No Exceptions!
The question of colour is something which vexes most ‘wannabe’ gentlemen, relax we are here to help.
Socks should be at least as dark as your shoes.
Forget matching the trousers, as your shoes should match your trousers the rest will follow.
Finally, there is absolutely (and I mean absolutely) no excuse for white socks, unless you are playing tennis, even then you should not wear them to and from the court!
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Lyn said,
June 2, 2006 @ 12:55 pm
Rod,
I note your comments with regard to socks and the English Gent, however you did not mention the sandal. I take it that you don’t approve of sandals for men? Either way, socks and sandals do not mix and it should be a criminal offence to wear them together in my view. Alas, the Italians and French are still, on the whole, more stylish than the average man on the street here. A regular ’style’ article from your good self could make the difference. Lyn
Rod said,
June 2, 2006 @ 1:09 pm
Lyn
sandals are for hippies, trekkers, new age travellers and soap dodgers!
No other man should consider them, inexcusable.
That said, I understand Jesus and the Romans wore sandals, I am prepared to forgive them in the interest of historical harmony but nobody else.
As to a regular style article three words spring most immediately to mind
Pearls before swine!
I do try and set an example for those unable to understand basic dress sense but it seems, sadly, to have had little or no impact.
Men in Lincolnshire seem to insist on (amongst many other things)
buying socks that come in packs of three !
Buying shorts, for non-sporting purposes!
and most amazingly
shirts that come in plastic packets!!!!!!!!
Lyn said,
June 2, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
Rod,
I think we may have offended some of your readers, especially those who are committed to polyester for example. Fear not readers, it’s not too late to change your ways, your host, Mr Collins will give sound advice …. which I will consider before correcting, if necessary! Long live the white linen shirt. Lyn
Rod said,
June 2, 2006 @ 4:27 pm
Lyn,
I cannot imagine anyone with the good sense to read this would even contemplate polyester!
Polyester clothing is the work of the devil and has but one legitimate use.
1: A children’s entertainer; it will allow him to rub a balloon against his trousers/shirt and make it stick to a wall, or a child’s head.
I grant you it is a remote use, but I am nothing if not even-handed and try not to be totally dismissive and arrogant.
Incidently, I have just returned from my afternoon constitutional where I happened upon an ‘individual’ wearing, what appeared to be, some sort of sporting/tracksuit trousers - with elasticated hems!
It was extremely distressing
Little Brother said,
June 2, 2006 @ 4:52 pm
The ultimate fashion faux pas this summer-England flags on cars-don’t get me started.
Rod said,
June 2, 2006 @ 5:27 pm
LB
Damn Straight!
I personally would revoke the driving licence of anyone seen at the wheel of a car festooned with such a ridiculous appendage!
They clearly lack sufficient intelligence to safely operate a motor vehicle.
Lest anyone say we are unpatriotic here at Goldeneye, forget this crapola and put some money in the poppy day appeal, and I don’t mean a quid !
Lyn said,
June 2, 2006 @ 10:35 pm
Rod,
I can’t imagine you painting and decorating, landscaping, cleaning sooty stoves etc., surely it would ruin your elegant wardrobe?
I’ve spent most of the day in a white boiler suit (and Chanel No. 19 naturally!). Lyn
Rod said,
June 3, 2006 @ 9:10 am
Lyn
do you have a sixth sense?
I am in fact indulging in a little decorating (for the first time in years)
It is altogether less tiresome than I imagined it would be, though as you rightly point out, sartorial elegance and paint make uncomfortable bedfellows.
This is not a worry to me as anything damaged in the process will be discarded. The thinning of a gentleman’s wardrobe is something that should be ongoing anyway - how else do you make room for the latest purchases!
Lyn said,
June 3, 2006 @ 10:35 pm
Rod,
You could be on to something here …… I understand women these days prefer a man with DIY skills, forget fancy cars and chocolate. All you need is a tool belt and a paint roller, never leave home without them (take the choccies just in case). Some may require you to re-wire the house and deck the patio but be wary of this kind of woman, she’s not interested in your first editions and should be avoided at all costs. Lyn
Mary (Lynnie's sis-in-law) said,
June 3, 2006 @ 11:08 pm
Hear, hear! The only thing to add is, of course, the boiler suit - every man should add this item to his wardrobe - or preferably his work shop! Boiler suits should never be clean (obviously only pretending) and be dark blue or white. Avoid light blue (Kwiq-Fit Fitter) and red. The red thing goes for socks too!
Mary
Rod said,
June 4, 2006 @ 8:58 am
Lyn,
you confirm what I have long suspected, women like a man who is good with his hands!
Personally speaking, I exhausted my interest in DIY etc in my formative years. My new plan was to allow the house to gradually fall into decay and when in a few years it was uninhabitable I intended to move into a hotel, have the house demolished and rebuilt.
I suspectred the overall cost would be approximately the same but I would save hours over the years.
As to a tool belt, I do have one but cannot really wear it as it spoils the line of my trousers!
Rod said,
June 4, 2006 @ 9:03 am
Mary,
you amaze me, how could you have guessed. I am currently organizing a pair of overalls, in fact my second fitting is next week!
I have chosen a nice 22oz alpaca, which should go nicely with my new work boots currently being hand burnished at John Lobb’s
Regards
Rod
Lyn said,
June 4, 2006 @ 1:51 pm
Rod,
I have searched for the correct heading for my next comment, alas there is nothing for leisure activities so here goes …..
Have you ever considered salsa dancing ? My contacts tell me Lincoln is the place to be on a Monday night. I’m not quite sure what the well dressed man from Grimsby wears for such an event but a shirt with a latin influence might be appropriate. Lots of ladies turn up so I’m told, some from the university. Those black trousers could be just the thing. Get your boot maker to attach some ‘taps’ to your shoes (got any cuban heels?). Fake tan optional. What do you think? Lyn
Rod said,
June 4, 2006 @ 2:12 pm
Lyn,
clearly we have different contacts in Lincoln, the last report on dancing I received from there was of the lap dancing variety!
I have to admit to not being exactly fleet of foot. Dancing is one of those activities, much like tight rope walking and fire eating, that should only ever be undertaken by experts. The possibility of looking ridiculous is too great for me to countenance.
That said, the style is something I am not against. By a strange coincidence the trousers I seek would not be inappropriate, low waist and boot cut and a flamboyant shirt is something I am already partial to.
I cannot consider anything other than the dress code at present as I am suffering from exhaustion having just finished painting the walls and ceiling in my kitchen.
I feel I am both physically and intellectually unmatched to manual labour, this whole experience has left me somewhat drained, and I feel is unlikely to be repeated any time soon!.
Lyn said,
June 4, 2006 @ 2:49 pm
Dulux is not good for hair … I trust you wore a shower cap? Lyn
Rod said,
June 4, 2006 @ 3:17 pm
My painting skills are such that I need not bother with such things, did not even use sheets etc!
Train hard - fight easy!
Lyn said,
June 4, 2006 @ 6:42 pm
I do hope you haven’t been tempted to stencil. We, out here, expect the Goldeneye headquarters to have a slick contemporary look with perhaps the odd Alessi piece on display. Farrow & Ball Addict
Rod said,
June 4, 2006 @ 7:17 pm
Lyn,
the decor plan was very simple, put white gloss on the wood and white emusion on the walls.
I have to do the big clean up tomorrow so the full final effect is not fully apparant just yet but the current verdict is:
Better than it was - not as good as it might have been!
Time for a restorative grape or two
Bon Soir
Rod
Mary (Lynnie's sis-in-law) said,
June 4, 2006 @ 11:16 pm
Not sure about the alpaca - might be a bit itchy! Also could shrink in the wash - half-mast boiler suit not fetching! 100% cotton only!!
Rod said,
June 5, 2006 @ 9:12 am
Mary
have no fear, a tightly woven alpaca suit cloth could never itch.
As to washing, I have all my clothes dry cleaned - even my socks!
Cheers
Rod
Lyn said,
June 5, 2006 @ 7:42 pm
Mary,
It’s true, Rod is to the Bolivian Knitters Guild, what Willy Wonka is to chocolate. Their fragile economy relies on him. Lynnie x
Lyn said,
June 5, 2006 @ 7:47 pm
Rod,
While hanging out at my favorite gents outfitters today, I spotted a shirt made of bamboo … a new fabric to me and one I shall have to consider. Do you possess any? Lyn
Rod said,
June 6, 2006 @ 8:37 am
Lyn,
I have to admit to being somewhat ignorant when it comes to Bolivia, other than the bespoke nature of their finest alpaca suit cloth of course. I have an idea what holds their economy up, mirors and razor blades being more the thing as opposed to suit cloth and chocolates!
A shirt made of bamboo!
You interest me strangely Lyn, I tend not to stray from sea island cotton myself, except for the occassional silk number of course.
Whilst a novel idea, I would not like to be responsible for creating a trend by wearing one!
Salute
Rod