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Home / Blog / Clothing and Style / Accessories

The Best Over-the-Calf Dress Socks for 2023

Published on December 17, 2019 by Tony Gorga · Accessories May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

Looking for the best over-the-calf dress socks on the online market today? Well, you’ve found them.

Best OTC Dress Socks

As a follow-up to our popular no-show sock guide, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top over-the-calf dress socks we could find on the internet.

In many cases, the companies were kind enough to send us a pair or two (or, in some cases, more) for wearing, washing, and testing to help you make the best decision.

For the last few months, we’ve been doing a deep dive into this world, and are thrilled to be able to share the results with you.

Quick Take

Don’t have time to read the full article? Here are our top three picks for the best over-the-calf dress socks you can buy right now:

Our Pick
Boardroom Socks
Boardroom Socks
$15

Boardroom Socks are my best-in-show pick for style, price, and comfort. Look at how nice and even those dots are!

Buy Now Read Our Review
Budget Pick
Gold Toe Dress Socks
Gold Toe Dress Socks
$21.00

Gold Toe are surprisingly good quality, great thickness, and excellent length. They're also a great deal.

Buy Now
02/05/2023 04:14 pm GMT

Read on for more info and the complete list…

Why Over-the-Calf Dress Socks?

If you’re a regular reader of the site, you know we’ve covered socks at length (pun absolutely intended) and know the appropriate places to wear each style.

Does that mean you need six types of socks in your drawer? Nah. But, if you’re going with dress socks, we’d suggest over-the-calf.

Over the calf dress socks

Simply put, over-the-calf dress socks are meant to completely cover your leg all the way up to around your knee. That doesn’t mean stopping at the midpoint (hence, mid-calf) or around your ankle (quarter socks or ankle socks), but complete over those parts.

Most importantly, the elastic at the top of the sock tightly hugs your calf, allowing it to stay up all day.

We wear these because they create smooth lines from the shoes, up the leg line, and streamline the lower half. As a shorter guy, that’s definitely something you’ll want.

The Problem with OTC Dress Socks

The problem, and inspiration for this guide, is that socks that claim to be “over the calf” don’t actually do that. The elastic wears out quickly, or the socks don’t come up all the way-so they catch on your trousers (especially if they’re unlined) and fall down quickly.

That feeling when your socks are constantly sliding down…

So, without further adieu, let’s dive in!

How We Chose

Basically, we used four methods to find over-the-calf dress socks:

  • Internet search engines, or pretty much whatever comes up on your Google Search bar under “over-the-calf dress socks”. If we’re looking for it, hopefully you are too.
  • Amazon: We wanted both “Amazon’s choice” and the cheapest pair we could find at Uncle Jeff’s Internet Emporium.
  • A Major Department Store: We chose Nordstrom’s House Brand.
  • Word of Mouth: We came across some great companies just by asking people.

Pretty simple, right?

The Best Over-The-Calf Dress Socks

BrandSizes AvailableMy SizePrice Per PairNotes
Boardroom SocksStandard (8-12)
King (13-16)
Standard$14.95-$17.95Top pick for quality and value; not ultra-thin; no smaller sizes
BombasM (6-9)
L (9.5-13)
XL (13 +)
L$15 (Dress)
$18 (Casual)
Good value and overall fit/comfort; less refined than Boardroom
Fort BelvedereS (6-7.5)
M (8-10)
L (10.5-12)
XL (12.5-13.5)
M$40Ultrafine, ultra-breathable luxury; slightly delicate; wide range of sizes
Gold ToeOne Size (6.5-12)
OS$14.95-$19.00 for 3A surprise hit; slightly thicker; limited sizing
Nordstrom Men's ShopS (5.5-7.5)
M (8-10)
L (10.5-12.5)
XL 13-15)
M$14.50 for Cotton
$14.50 for Wool
Great value when on sale; runs large so size down
Pierre Henry SocksClassic (7-11)
Big/Tall (12+)
Classic$14.99 for Single
$34.99 for 3 pack
More casual feel (not very dressy); stays up nicely
Polo Ralph LaurenUS Mens 10-13OS$26.00 for 3Not long enough; stretches and sags after light wear
Tee Hee Dress SocksUS Mens 8-11)OS$12 for a three packGreat ultra-affordable pick; unrefined aesthetic
ViccelXS (6-7)
S (7.5-8)
M/R (8.5-9.5)
L (10-11.5)
XL (12-14)
L$13.89- $26.54 Huge selection of weights, colors and sizes; great prices; fabrics feel "slippery" inside shoe

Selected Brands

We could talk about all the brands at length, but that would result in quite a long article, So, we’ve selected a few for your consideration.

Fort Belvedere Socks

If a pair of socks could be described as “beautiful”, these would be them. The colors are subtle, but they’re wonderfully unique.

Fort Belvedere OTC Socks
Fort Belvedere Dress Socks

Raphael Schneider, founder of Fort Belvedere, The Gentleman’s Gazette, and friend-of-the-site, has done a fantastic job with the whole line. But, at $40 a pair, these puppies ain’t cheap.

Additionally, with 200 needles used, these are luxuriously delicate and not for everyday wear.

Fort Belvedere dress socks
Notice how fine the fabric is? If your shoes are snug, these socks are a great choice.

Fort Belvedere over-the-calf socks are noticeably thinner than all of my other dress socks, and the thinnest on this list. While that is something they tell you, it’s created a gapping problem around the mouth of my lace-up dress shoes-even ones I know fit in the length.

Perhaps this problem is compounded by my flat feet,  So, I’ve stuck to my loafers and Belgian slippers when wearing them. Maybe that’s for the best, as I get to show them off.

So, while I’d recommend them-if you can stomach the price tag- because they’re luxurious and comfortable, do make sure you’ve got the proper footwear to go with them.

Boardroom Socks

Boardroom Socks are my best-in-show pick for style, price, and comfort. Look at how nice and even those dots are!

Boardroom Socks dress socks
Do ignore the ‘fuzz’ on the photo here. It’s not related to quality, fit or finish.

Proudly made in North Carolina. At $15, they’re not cheap, but I think it’s worth the $1.00 premium over Pierre Henry, and just as good as the Bombas.

Boardroom Socks
Click here to see current prices

168 needle construction, which, as founder Nathan James says, is fine enough to be luxurious but not so fine they wear out after a few miles.

Their over-the-calf dress socks come in merino wool and cotton, and I vastly prefer the wool. I’d highly recommend these for any day of the week.

Bombas Dress Socks

“The Internet’s Favorite Sock” indeed. These guys have their marketing and SEO down. Seriously, if you Google a lot of the sock brands on this list, Bombas is still the first one coming up.

Bombas dress socks
Click here to see current prices

Anyway, slick marketing is one thing, the product is another. Overall, I do like the socks.

The over-the-calf dress socks are *fine* and will do the job well. They have good thickness and a great range of colors. For dress sock comfort, I do prefer the Boardroom to the Bombas.

Bombas dress socks

But, Bombas also sent some of their merino wool casual over-the-calf socks and, frankly, they’re phenomenal. Perfect thickness for some sneakers and chukka boots, and the sock has almost gel-feeling arch support woven in. My flat feet are loving it!

If you’re going to go with Bombas, I’d do their more casual options. They’re more than worth the money.

Gold Toe Dress Socks

Amazon made an excellent choice here. Gold Toe are surprisingly good quality, great thickness, and excellent length. At just under $20.00 for a three-pack, they’re also a great deal.

Gold Toe dress socks
Check current price on Amazon

You’re not going to get unique designs or patterns (and the “Gold Toe” uncomfortably reminds me of foot fungus), but if you don’t need dress socks often or don’t feel comfortable coughing up $15.00+ for a couple of footsies, these are a smart option for you.

The thicker cotton makes them a touch more ‘plush’ than some of the super-thin options on this over-the-calf dress sock roundup, which I’ve found helps with some of the gapping issue.

I do notice, however, that the elastic d to grip my calves quite tightly- which, after 8-10 hours of wear, kind of makes you feel like you’re wearing compression socks. Even so, if you’re a slimmer guy, you should be just fine.

Polo Dress Socks

I first bought some of Ralph’s over-the-calf dress socks in late 2018. They stayed up for about four hours into the first wear.

Polo dress socks
With so many great OTC dress socks on the market, it’s hard to make a case for big name brands like Polo.

Since then, wearing these socks has been a chore. I was actually bending down to pull up my socks after only 45 minutes of wear when my nearly-new phone slipped out of my jacket pocket and fell (thankfully, screen side up) onto pavement.

After that, I contacted Brock about doing this breakdown.

Conclusions

Thanks for your patience on this review. As with anything, we want to field test for as long we can to help you make the best selection.

Socks are essential part of any man’s wardrobe, and a good pair can really make a different in dressing well. Socks can stand out with your chinos, or they can make business casual a little more interesting.

We’re pleased to say that, with the exception of the Polo socks that inspired this review, all of the socks stood up (literally) to the test, including some days of 12-14 hours of standing up, sitting down, and generally moving around. Not one of them fell down.

Overall, though, Boardroom Socks are our top pick. They’ve got the blend of form, function, style, construction, and price to last for years if you take care of them. On the high end, and if you’ve got the budget for it, Fort Belvedere socks are extremely luxurious and make your feet happy. Our budget pick, and a good deal for the guy who rarely needs dress socks, is the three-pack from Gold Toe.

As a final note, you’ll notice we didn’t include any “funky” socks on this list. No squiggle lines, hot-pink numbers, or socks with tacos or flying elephants on them. We believe in a versatile wardrobe here at TMM, and style is best when it doesn’t shout.

Thanks for reading, and we do hope this helps you make a great selection.

Accessories Buying Guides, over the calf socks, socks

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About Tony Gorga

Tony is a market research professional by day and a style writer by night. He also enjoys working out, craft beer and spending time with his wife, daughter, and dog.

Background: Author and menswear enthusiasts, Tony graduated Cum Laude from Albion College with degrees in Political Science and Philosophy. He went on to earn an MPA from the University of Pittsburg before making a career for himself in the D.C. management consulting scene.

Along the way, Tony developed a strong interest in menswear. Often dressing up for work, Tony walks the walk in a way that many menswear "influencers" cannot.

Expertise: Tony has written about menswear and lifestyle topics for online publications like Ask Andy About Clothes and He Spoke Style. He's worked with a range of popular brands, from DTC companies like Thursday Boots and The Tie Bar, to mainstream players like Bonobos and Banana Republic.

Tony's background as a business analyst allows him to assess brands from multiple angles (aesthetics, business model, value), which is why he's one of TMM's most trusted reviewers.

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Comments

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    Got questions? Want to share your opinion? Comment below!

  1. Lenny says

    June 12, 2022 at 7:07 pm

    What is the best over the calf dress sock for muscular calves?

    Reply
    • Brock says

      June 13, 2022 at 5:54 pm

      All of the socks on this list are stretchy, so they should all work. I’d avoid socks with any sort of compression. Boardroom Socks would be my #1 choice for bigger calves.

      Reply
  2. Joseph H says

    July 21, 2020 at 11:56 am

    As an upcoming menswear online stylist and image consultant I love the amount of detail that went into this list. Has helped me greatly (size 13 shoe kinda guy) I have Boardroom and Bomba in separate tabs ready for purchase!

    Thanks a bunch!
    -Joseph Harris
    HarrisHabits

    Reply
  3. Renaud says

    February 26, 2020 at 12:03 am

    I must disagree with the ranking of Pierre Henry’s socks : nice design but they don’t stay up. After a few weeks they just fall on the ankle. I was very disapointed

    Reply
    • Tony Gorga says

      February 26, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      Understood. Can’t say I’ve had that problem; however, they are the least “dress sock” feeling of just about any on the list. They feel a little more like traditional cotton casual socks. While the placement of the logo is kind of annoying, I do like the additional elastic they put on the ankle area.

      Reply
    • Bary says

      March 3, 2020 at 1:36 pm

      Try getting in touch with their team they’ll hook you up

      Reply
    • Alex says

      May 13, 2020 at 6:44 pm

      I actually really like Pierre Henry Socks. I’ve tried dozens of OTC socks (including several of the ones reviewed here) and love their quality / feel. I can see why you would think they aren’t as classy since they do a lot of different patterns, but they stay up better than anything I’ve tried.

      Reply
  4. Johannes says

    January 7, 2020 at 3:05 pm

    Great article! Do you have a discount code for Boardroom socks? Thanks

    Reply
  5. Forrest says

    January 6, 2020 at 10:44 am

    Beyond me why OS socks are recommended at all. Shorter men usually have smaller feet. OS usually don’t work well. I’ve done well with Nordstrom and Ft. Belvedere sized socks. Unless you are a size 9 shoe, stay away from OS.

    Reply
    • Brock says

      January 6, 2020 at 11:05 am

      Plenty of non-OS options in this article for those who need them (only some shorter men do).

      Reply
      • Nico says

        January 7, 2020 at 11:35 am

        I have small but wide feet. My experience with one-size socks is that they either wear out from the constant stretching and contracting or they contain far more synthetics than what I find comfortable for ordinary wear. As I mentioned above 100% cotton, bamboo or merino wool is in my opinion the best way to go for street wear.

        Reply
    • Tony Gorga says

      January 7, 2020 at 6:48 pm

      We wanted to cover the spectrum and give a wide range of options for people. For most of us, it’s just not feasible to outfit your entire sock wardrobe with specifically size socks. OS socks are usually cheaper to produce and, therefore, cheaper to sell and more accessible to the masses. I’m just over 5’7″ but I measure a 10/Narrow on a Brannock.

      Reply
      • Nico says

        January 8, 2020 at 4:18 am

        I live in a country where “one-size socks” are almost nonexistant. What we find is usually a “range” equivalent to about two (at most three) U.S. shoe sizes. I can’t abide socks where the heel doesn’t correspond to my own heel. If the sock is too small (not typical at my size) it’ll wear down quite fast from the overstretching of the neck. If it’s too large, the same problem happens on what should be the sole unless it’s “bunched up.”

        Now, every man has his priorities. For my part, as I do a ton of walking my feet are literally the basis of my physical operations and if I can’t even feel good in/about my socks my day is a non-starter. So while I have a fairly generous sock budget, for me it’s worth every penny.

        Personal anecdote: socks were long a part of my wardrobe I “neglected” somewhat: moving to Europe from Florida socks seemed an annoying and superficial extra expense and for over seven years I went on the cheap, just getting whatever “looked” minimally dressy and wasn’t more than three euro a pair. Finally I gave up and started purchasing 100% cotton, over-the-calf socks pair-by-pair (to match sweaters or ties). And I actually like wearing these: they breathe, they don’t fall down and they add a little more color and thought to the outfit.

        I don’t believe in living beyond one’s means or buying expensive stuff just to look or feel richer but if you genuinely like and feel more confident, the more elusive option option and can afford it it may be worth the trouble.

        Reply
  6. Nico says

    January 2, 2020 at 5:12 am

    I purchased most of my dress shoes while wearing fine dress socks, so I’m kind of locked into the fine zone with no gapping, a fact which has its pros and cons. The major con is that I can’t really wear the socks alone – without my shoes – lest my investment burn a hole (literally) really fast. One solution is to get socks with some degree of synthetic mix. I don’t recommend this: while they might “hold up” better my experience is that my feet sweat exponentially more with even 1% synthetics blended in.

    So I would add to the list of criteria that *dress* socks absolutely *must* be 100% natural fiber, such as cotton or merino. (Note that I am not categorically anti-synthetic. For some sports such as hiking acrylic mixes can be handy, for example for preventing blisters.)

    Reply

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