Fun Socks Come and Go. White Crew Socks Are Forever

If they handed out a lifetime achievement award for trying out white hosiery, I'd be a first-ballot shoe-in.Courtesy of GQ, Uniqlo; Design: Brittany Loggins & Emily HanhanTrends in socks will come and go, but you’ll never regret buying the simplest option: a plain white crew sock. We've tested about every kind of sock, and like the best white tees, the classic white crew sock is about as dependable as all get out. They also save you from having to make unnecessary decisions before 9 a.m., including whether today's a “fun” sock day (we assure you, it is not).We know no perfect white sock exists, but there are plenty of really great options worth stocking up on. There are cheap socks that feel, well, cheap, expensive socks that feel disappointing, and vice versa. To help you distinguish between those two spectrums, here are a dozen of our favorites.The Plain White Crew Sock Hit ListThe No-Nonsense Budget Socks: Goldtoe 656S Cotton Crew Athletic Socks, $24 $18The Everyday Upgrade Socks: Bombas Modern Rib Half Calf Socks, $18The Loafer-Ready Socks: Boardroom Socks Merino Wool Mid Calf Dress Socks, $19The Japanese Standard Socks: RoToTo Organic Cotton Crew Socks 3-Pack, $90The Fashion Insider Socks: Comme Si Tube Sock Trio, $90The Budget BuysGoldtoe656S Cotton Crew Athletic SocksUnfancy, affordable, and extremely reliable. Goldtoe socks feel substantially thick, but not suffocating, and have a reasonably comfortable toe that doesn't rub against the skin. The only annoyance I have with them is that they come with the brand's namesake gold-colored toe. But, unless you're wearing them with open-toed shoes, this shouldn't pose too much of a problem.UniqloSupima Cotton-Blend Wide Ribbed SocksIf you've been to Uniqlo, you've no doubt seen the giant wall of socks that are carefully organized like a color chart. Those are great for anyone who's really particular about their own personal color story. While those Color 50 socks are good if you're in a pinch, especially at just five bucks, I'd spring for the Supima cotton alternative which feels even softer, lasts a bit longer, and costs only a dollar more. They don't come in nearly as many colors, but you're here for plain white socks, remember?Railroad SockBaker's Dozen Crew SockMany people don't know that there are actually a handful of old-school brands that still make their socks in the States for mega cheap. Railroad Socks isn't a name that a lot of folks will know, but they're worth peeping for the sheer value alone. This is a pack of 13 and costs just under $30. They won't last you very long, but they get the job done.DickiesDri-tech Original Moisture Control Crew SocksDickies' Dri-tech socks are one of the few pairs in this price point that offer some kind of performance properties. The material blend knits cotton and synthetics together for a sock that feels naturally soft but comes with extra moisture-wicking power to keep your feet nice and dry. The material itself doesn't feel too glamorous, but this is Dickies we're talking about.The Mid-Range FavoritesMaggie's OrganicsOrganic Cotton Classic Crew SocksI first encountered Maggie's Organics at a food co-op in my college town, which should tell you everything you need to know about the brand. All of their socks use organic cotton, are made in the United States, and are dyed by hand. This undyed pair highlights cotton's natural ivory color, rather than a bleached-out neon white tone. The yarns are hefty and spongey, giving the sock an old-school atheltic sock feel.Front General StoreSilket Rib SocksFront General Store is one of the best vintage stores in New York City and is also a fashion hack for anyone looking to stock up on basics. FGS produces a handful of garments in-house and its socks are some of the best at this price point. They're made in Japan using a deft blend of organic cotton, nylon, and elastane, and feel incredible on the skin. The tension's not too tight and they look incredible if you slouch them down a bit.BombasModern Rib Half Calf SocksBombas' Modern Rib Half Calf socks might just be the perfect blend of retro feel and modern amenities. They're knit with Supima cotton for softness and breathability and a satisfying rib at the calf for a classic look. But, the added cushion, arch support, and flat toe seam come together to meet the standards of 2026.Boardroom SocksNatural Merino Wool Mid Calf Dress SocksWe love Boardroom Socks for its premium dress socks, so we knew plain white socks would be a walk in the park. Unlike most socks on this list, these are made of merino wool, whose natural properties operate more like performance materials: moisture-wicking, odor-resisting, temperature-regulating—it's all there. What's even more impressive is that, they come in this natural white shade which is very rare to find in a wool sock. Boardroom still classifies them as dress socks, so they're a touch thinner than a regular crew sock, that means they're easier to wear with dressier shoes like derbies or loafers.The High-End SplurgesRoToToOrganic Cotton Crew SocksRoToTo's socks have some of the best tension in the knits out of any socks I've tried. Granted, that might be a me problem since I'm bedeviled with abnormally large calves. They have a noticeably beefy foot with a nice amount of cushion, a seamless toe, and an easy-going rib at the top. They're knit in Japan in what's considered to be the sock capital of the country, and my only real gripe is that it says RoToTo on the toe instead of under the arch.American TrenchThe Oxford SockThe Oxford Sock is the longest sock on this list which makes it great for stacking and slouching, paired with a classic pair of canvas sneakers and short shorts. American Trench makes its Oxford sock right here in the States (North Carolina, specifically), using triple-ply lightweight Egyptian Mako cotton, which is a rare cotton that's picked by hand to preserve its integrity. The cotton is incredibly smooth, fine, and impressively strong compared to most other cottons.Comme SiThe Tube Sock TrioIt's difficult to make a pair of socks feel as cool as Comme Si does. From the design to the art direction to the materials, the darling hosiery label seems to have cracked the code on the most basic of basics, turning a simple pair of socks into a genuinely desirable piece of cultural capital—without resorting to wild colors, fibers, or textures. Its Tube Sock is a little daintier than the tube socks of yesteryear, but also more luxurious since it's made from super silky Egyptian cotton and knit in Italy. Of course, the little tag at the cuff is clearly a cheeky signifier to let others know you've got taste. Do they last three times as long as the more affordable socks? Probably not. But when I wear them, I do feel a sense of care and respect—like driving a Porsche versus a beat-up Corolla.CDLPMid-Length Tennis SocksCDLP's range of high-end underwear has been a favorite at GQ for years, and the Scandinavian label's socks are probably just as great. The lustrous, mercerized organic cotton is knit into a sponge-y rib knit and comes in a range of sizes for a more precise fit. Add to that a reinforced toe and heel, and you've got a pair of socks that feel as comfortable as your bed after a long day of hard work.What Makes a Great White Sock?Like my weird obsession with plain white tees, I’ve amassed a mountainous collection of plain white crew socks over the decades. What started out as a necessity became a borderline addiction. In my estimation, I’ve worn at least 30 different brands from Hanes to Anonymous Ism, Adidas to Pantherella, and my feet have slipped into just about every major sock brand worth mentioning.I’ve worn these socks with different kinds of shoes, put them through the wash in different cycles with different detergents, and, crucially, worn them until there wasn’t much of them left to wear. What makes a good pair of socks comes down to the quality of the materials, the construction, and the fit. Most good socks should have a balance of cotton with a bit of stretch as well as a smidge of synthetic fibers for durability, moisture-wicking, or other performance properties. From there, the materials should be knit with a seamless toe for comfort and maybe some reinforcement at the toe and heel.Generic socks will fit a wide range of sizes, but higher quality hosiery will have a more tailored set of sizes for a better fit. By using that criteria, we were able to hone in on the best plain white socks for you.Gerald Ortiz is a style commerce writer for GQ covering fashion, grooming, and occasionally lifestyle. Previously, he was the style writer for Gear Patrol and the managing editor at Heddels. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with three degrees, none of which directly relate to fashion (so it ... Read More