If you’re working remotely these days, odds are your daily average of time spent shoeless but not sockless has increased roughly 2000% during the last two months. The sock feet that used to constitute just a tiny window of your day—that sliver of time between putting on your socks and putting on your shoes in the morning, plus whatever sock feet time you clock at night—now stretches across the wide expanse of your work day. Unless you’re a slippers guy. But we digress. No matter who you are, socks are probably a bigger part of your life than ever right now.
So the timing is serendipitous for sock enthusiast (and former GQ staffer) John Jannuzzi, whose first book, ‘How to Wear Socks’, hits shelves today. In between fulfilling orders for his thriving cookie business, Jannuzzi explained why socks are more important than ever in this moment. “If you’re going to be lounging while working from home, you might as well make sure your feet are taken care of,” he says. “And if quarantining means you have ample time on your hands (ie, you are childless), then it’s as good a time as any to take stock [of your sock drawer] to see what could use sprucing up.” Here are Jannuzzi’s picks for the best hosiery to pad around your domicile, get in a good home workout, and sport for you daily constitutional.
The Around-the-House Sock
“I’ve never been a big dress sock guy, but I am a huge super-classic white socks with stripes guy. These are a nice in-between option. They’re well-made, but you’re guaranteed not to be branded a ‘fun socks dude’ in them. Think of them as business socks for working from home, if that makes any sense.”
“A good thick white sock with minimal branding is essential to any man’s wardrobe—a little plush, a lot comfy, and with just enough cushion. You’ll fall in love with these on your first wear, I swear to you! Perfect for reenacting some ‘Risky Business’ moves, too.”
“These are a much more retro throwback to the striped sock. And while there is branding on them, it’s subtle enough to not scream at anybody who sees them. Not to mention the fact that if you wear socks that say ‘holiday’ on them during a lockdown maybe it will feel more like a holiday and less like a government-mandated order. Whatever works!”
The Daily Walk Sock
“I’m a calf sock loyalist, but I do find they don’t always work well with shorts. So if your sanity walk is in gym shorts (mine usually is), you may opt for a quarter-length sock, or even a no-show. These are a super easy option that can work with nearly anything you’ve got in your wardrobe. All day I dream about socks, man!”
“Gold Toe? More like gold standard. These are the socks are our moms would buy our dads growing up, and moms know best. They’re still a great reliable option for everyday sanity strolls. And they last forever.”
“You already know my feelings about classic white socks with stripes, so naturally, I’m gonna say these look fantastic. The logo placement is slightly more clever than a giant one going up the side, and there’s just enough cushion to take you around the block a few times.”
The Home Workout Sock
“These were the first socks I was ever really ‘loyal’ to. I bought an eight-pack a few years ago and they’ve held up through workouts, runs, and wearing around the house. The honeycomb section gives you just the right amount of support, plus the buy-one-give-one thing Bombas does is always good. I see plenty of them at the gym these days, too—must be doing something right.”
“If your tastes run towards something a little lighter on the leg, I’d suggest going with these from Ten Thousand. They’re almost like a second skin and though they’re not specifically compression socks, they do give you a little bit of a squeeze. They don’t move an inch when you’re working out, either—just one less thing for you to worry about.”
“How can you go wrong with a Nike sock? Classic, comfortable, and extremely functional. These are inconspicuous enough that you can wear them in and out of the gym with ease, too. If you’re just picking up working out and aren’t sure it will stick, these won’t set you back too much, either.”
The Ultra-Cozy Sock
“My Instagram is full of well-dressed women with these socks. I had to give in. They’re comfortable, slouchy, and they absolutely say that you aren’t going anywhere for at least several hours. Though a few people I know have pulled these off with Birkenstocks. (I’m not one of them.)”
“Look, if you’re going for ultimate comfort and ultimate wealth, this is it. I throw these on every time I have a FaceTime with Mr. Burns, Mr. Monopoly, and Bill Gates. We just laugh and laugh about how comfortable our feet are. And you always know that with Elder Statesman you’re getting something that will last a lifetime.”
“Staying cozy doesn’t always have to mean a fancy material. Slub socks with a thicker material and knit are always comfortable. It’s akin to wearing a slipper, except you don’t have to buy one. I warn you though: one Anonymous Ism sock is a gateway to many more.”