How to match your shoes to your socks?

Long hidden beneath trousers, the sock is now showcased as a real style detail. Plain, colourful, patterned or woollen, it complements the shoe and can, on its own, change the balance of an outfit.

Loafers, trainers, derbies or ankle boots: some combinations work particularly well. The key is to choose the right material, the right height and, above all, know how far to push the whimsy.

At Maison Broussaud, we like socks when they are just noticeable enough. Here are a few guidelines for pairing them well with your shoes.

What socks to wear with loafers?

Loafers have regained a place of honour in the wardrobe in recent seasons. Classic without being tame, they lend themselves particularly well to the game of showing a sock.

With straight trousers, raw denim or a skirt, choose a pair with enough character to become a detail in its own right.

Ribbed styles, fine wool socks or discreet patterns work particularly well. Tartan under navy trousers, a burgundy pair with chocolate loafers or a few touches of lurex with black loafers can add character to a silhouette very simply.

For a more classic result, lisle cotton remains a safe bet. Fine and elegant, it pairs particularly well with dress shoes. Maison Broussaud offers, among others, models in mercerised cotton designed to be worn with a suit, dress shoes or loafers.

Which socks to choose with trainers?

With a pair of trainers, almost anything is allowed.

A slightly visible white sock provides a sporty and casual look, while a colourful or patterned style can brighten up a more understated outfit.

With raw denim and white trainers, for example, a pair featuring foxes, 'squirrels or a graphic pattern becomes the unexpected detail of the look.

The rule we particularly like: rather than looking for exactly the same colour as your trousers or shoes, choose a shade that is already present elsewhere in your outfit.

How to wear socks with derbies?

The derby naturally calls for a more elegant sock.

For a formal outfit, navy, charcoal, chocolate or black shades remain essentials. Lisle cotton is particularly suitable thanks to its fineness and polished appearance.

But dress shoes do not rule out whimsy.

Under well-cut trousers, a few centimetres of pattern appearing when you sit down is enough to transform a classic silhouette. Diamonds, fine stripes, chevrons or small animal motifs can then add a more personal signature.

The idea is not necessarily to draw all eyes to your socks, but to let a chosen detail show.

And with ankle boots?

As autumn settles in, ankle boots allow you to play more with materials.

Wool and merino wool naturally find their place in this type of shoe. Warmer, they accompany chilly days while adding texture to the outfit.

You can let a rib slightly peek out above an ankle boot, especially with cropped jeans, a skirt or a dress.

To extend the country chic spirit of autumn, pair brown leather ankle boots with ecru, khaki or burgundy socks, or a tartan pattern.

Should socks match your trousers or your shoes?

There is no single rule.

For a classic look, matching the colour of the sock to that of the trousers helps visually elongate the silhouette. Navy trousers paired with a navy or deep blue sock thus remain a safe combination.

For a more contemporary look, the sock can instead become a point of contrast.

Beige trousers can accommodate burgundy, khaki or navy. A black outfit can be brightened by a gold detail or a pattern. Raw denim, meanwhile, allows for almost any whimsy.

At Maison Broussaud, we prefer to talk about balance rather than rules.

The sock, the detail that changes an outfit

A beautiful pair of shoes naturally draws the eye. The sock finishes the story.

Visible for a few seconds beneath trousers or fully embraced with a loafer, it allows you to introduce a colour, material or pattern without transforming the entire look.

Since 1938, we have been designing and making our socks in our workshop in Les Cars, in Haute-Vienne. From classic lisle cotton styles to the most unique patterns, each pair is conceived as what it should always be: a carefully chosen detail.

Discover the Maison Broussaud collections and find the pair that will accompany your shoes this autumn.