by Editorial Staff Published: February 20, 2025 Updated: February 20, 2025

The deeper I get into my sock game, the more I value subtlety in design. By this, I mean the best details only come out on closer inspection.

This could be a grenadine tie. From a distance, it looks like a solid tie in navy, brown, green, or any old color you like. Get a little closer, and you notice a beautiful woven pattern. This adds texture, depth, and visual interest. But, how can you do that in your socks? The answer is a shadow stripe. We here at Boardroom have three new models for you.


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Olive and Tan

Once you’ve got the basics down, green is a great direction to take your sock wardrobe. It’s a good balance point between the funkier, brighter, reds and purples, but not as formal as navy or grey.

Of course, ‘green’ comes in a variety of shades and could mean just about anything. Kelly green, in my view, is far too bright. It clashes with almost anything but navy and grey. Olive is excellent for ‘menswear’ guys and very easy to style.

olive and tan vertical ribbed shadow stripe dress socks worn with khakis and brown wingtips

This particular pairing, with olive and tan shadow stripe socks, is perhaps best in business casual settings. Try with some khaki wool or cotton trousers and a sports jacket with a smaller pattern. A houndstooth, herringbone, or gun club check would look great.

This isn’t to say you can’t dress it up. Try it with heavier flannels in winter. I like chocolate brown, but you’ll do fine in charcoal, too. Conversely, as our wool socks are perfectly breathable, try them for summer cottons and linens. Sand or (yes) khaki will work best.

man wearing olive and tan shadow stripe socks with black oxfords and a suit

Of course, you can also dress it down. Naturally, jeans and loafers will work well. But, I’d consider avoiding sneakers if you can. The shadow stripes make these just a little more formal.

Navy and Red

These colors don’t run, but they certainly go together. Navy and red are excellent for socks- and I really like them in a shadow stripe more than anything else. The reason, as frequent readers of my columns will know, is my disdain for ‘funky’ socks. I think a true blue and red bold stripe is just too much.

But this? This works well with a classic ‘menswear uniform’ of a navy blazer, white or blue button down shirt, and grey flannel trousers. Try it with a burgundy penny or tassel loafer and you’ve got a look that’s applicable in anything from a business meeting to a dinner date.

navy and red shadow stripe men's dress socks

These can also extend to a full suited look, too. Navy is, of course, best. The blue base blends with the suit fabric, creating a clean line. This makes your legs–and you–you look taller and slimmer. But, you could do grey in most any shade just fine, too.

Just as with the olive, you can easily wear them casually, too.

Charcoal and Tan

These are surprisingly adventurous socks. Charcoal is, of course, very dark, and tan is very light. This creates quite a bit of contrast- far more than I’d typically go for. But, I’m warming up to the idea.

pair of charcoal and tan shadow stripe dress socks atop charcoal slacks and a blue oxford

In previous generations, grey and brown wouldn’t be as acceptable as they are today. But, this adds a different take on a classic look. Here is where I’d feel comfortable incorporating black in the picture.

Now, in the years I’ve written this column, I’ve not spoken much about black in a man’s wardrobe. For decades, it was the ‘staple suit’ for men. Many of us–myself included–wound up with a cheap polyester number as our first suit when as teenagers.

This is a shame. The cheaper suits are one note- a solid blob of black. It’s almost impossible to pair with anything. But today, we’re blessed to have many more options. A black flannel, woven hopsack, or linen suit is a great way to show off a sock like this. Sure, it shouldn’t be your first, second, or even third suit, but it can be a lot of fun to play with nonetheless.

For a business casual vibe, try these socks with charcoal trousers and a brown jacket. But, like I mentioned above, keep the pattern small.

charcoal and tan ribbed shadow stripe dress socks paired with jeans and brown leather sneakers

These also work well with dark, even black, jeans and cordovan loafers. Personally, I’d find a chunky turtleneck or fisherman sweater to be nice. But, as it gets warmer, a cream polo, black linen trousers, and these socks would make for a fantastic casual getup.

Wrap Up: Into the Light

As I say in most of these, style is supposed to be fun. Wear what you like, and don’t take my word for it. I’m just a humble internet wordsmith, after all. But, hopefully you’ve gotten a sense of how to incorporate something a little different into your wardrobe in a whole host of settings. Olive, navy, and charcoal are fantastic ways to do that.

three colors of shadow stripe dress socks from Boardroom Socks atop white table

And, just like every pair of Boardroom Socks, they’re made right here in the US using the best yarns we can. We appreciate the opportunity to create for you, and thank you for your business. And, we thank you for reading.

Thanks for reading.

Yours in Style,

Tony Gorga
Boardroom Socks


Ready to upgrade your sock drawer?


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Editorial Staff
Editorial Staff

Our editorial staff is comprised of menswear experts dedicated to providing you with helpful information. Sharing everything from style tips to sock care instructions, these gentlemen are a wealth of knowledge for both our customers and the Boardroom Socks team.



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