You ought to be more mindful of your socks.

Most of the time, they are hidden. “They’re just useful,” “They’re just underwear; it doesn’t matter if they’re plain or have holes in them.” Aw, stuff a sock inside. You could believe that socks are among your most uninteresting yet functional items of apparel, but if you’re putting them on every morning in that manner, you’re doing it all wrong.

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It has long been customary to stroll about in socks, both literally and figuratively. We don’t really think about their upkeep, style, or potential for fashion—we just put them on every morning and take them off every evening. Our sock drawers’ main function is to conceal more interesting items. Not anymore. It’s time to take off our socks, clothe our feet properly, and realize the full potential of these sometimes disregarded items of clothing.

You are the only one to blame if you gripe about your toes showing through ugly holes or your ragged socks wearing through at the heel. It’s true that socks fade with time, but if you spend money on high-quality socks made of high-quality materials, you’ll be comfortable for a very long time.

This material may vary depending on the situation and type of job you’re doing, but start by clearing out everything that has polyester or synthetic mixes in it from your sock drawer. These materials not only don’t last as long as their durable, natural counterparts, but they also cause foot sweat—two of the least appealing phrases in the English language. Therefore, the next time you take off your shoes in front of a woman, make sure it’s for the proper reasons and don’t leave her holding her nose.

Wool, silk, and cotton are safe choices. Light cotton is surprisingly durable for such a lightweight material, making it ideal for summer socks. The same holds true for silk. A quality pair of silk socks with a fine weave will also include reinforcement at the toe and heel to survive frequent washings and wear. And lastly, wool—the workhorse of the world of sock fabrics. Woollen socks, whether they are thick enough to fit into a hiking boot or thin enough to fit into your work Oxfords, will not only drain away unwanted perspiration from your feet but also keep them warmer and more comfortable than you would have imagined.

Style and quality are two different things. An inappropriate polka-dot design will detract from even the toughest outdoor socks, therefore our recommendation is to keep it basic. Being bold is totally OK, but you want any sock flash that shows through your shoe and trouser cuff to draw attention for all the right reasons.

Novelty socks are therefore instantly out of the question. This implies that the pattern on your socks should have no more than three colors, be as simple as possible, and, if you happen to be wearing a pair with a motif scattered across them—anything from tiny dinosaurs to race cars—you should locate the closest trash can and dispose of them there. And let’s not even talk about those socks that say “day of the week.” It’s amazing you dressed yourself at all if you don’t even realize it’s Thursday.

When it comes to socks, block colors are ideal; however, choose a somewhat bolder hue rather than black or navy, and please refrain from using dazzling white. Choose colors like mustard, burgundy, racing green, or mid-blue to convey refinement without coming across as overly forced. And when it comes to patterns, nothing compares to a block stripe that is tastefully colored and uniformly spaced.

Naturally, there are situations in which the socks we’ve parodied are essential. Plain black is the best choice for evening dress, and white socks are quite appropriate whether you’re playing squash or going to the gym. You should have a variety of lengths, colors, and fabrics of socks in your sock drawer, but the most important thing is to know when to wear them.

As a general guideline, wear cotton in the summer and wool in the winter. Or should I say toe? For formal attire, choose the lightest option; for outdoor wear, go thicker. If you’re going on a walk, a texture like cable-knit would work well, and a pattern like a stripe will work well to add some individuality to your professional attire. Most of it is common sense. You wouldn’t put on woolen socks for a black tie gala or wear silk socks to the gym; if you did, perhaps those dinosaur socks were the better choice for you.

Recognize the difference in length of socks; some may appear absurdly lengthy, while others are scarcely noticeable. Usually, you should wear the shortest socks you own for sports. The so-called “pop socks” must never to be known to males. In the same way, your black tie socks should be the longest socks you own; they should fall below your knee to prevent any awkward ankle flashes between your patent-black shoes and tuxedo pants.

Aside from that, maintain equilibrium. Your best chance is mid-calf, with a top cuffed and maybe an inch or two of elastic ribbing. Both your toe and your heel need reinforcement, with the bottom being somewhat thicker than the top. If you adhere to these guidelines and use our recommendations for pattern and color, you’ll soon be making fools of everyone who dares to criticize your decisions.