Custom dress socks vs. custom sports socks: what’s the difference?

Sock Club
March 19, 2024

A sock is more than an afterthought, especially when you are designing it and purchasing it to represent your brand. Whether you’re looking for a custom business socks for a trade show giveaway or creating custom athletic crew socks for a corporate wellness program, the right socks can make all the difference. That’s why it’s important to choose the right kind of socks for the job. 


This guide will help you decide which socks are right for you, so you can make the biggest splash possible with your custom swag from Sock Club.



What are Dress Socks?

Dress socks are the traditional choice for any formal occasion or professional event. They’re typically made of a finer material such as wool or cotton, and come in a variety of colors and patterns. Custom embroidered dress socks are usually a bit longer than athletic socks, and are designed to be worn with dress shoes.


What are Athletic Socks?

Custom athletic socks, or personalized sports socks, are designed for performance. They’re typically made of a thicker material such as cotton or wool, and come in a variety of colors and designs. Athletic socks come in a variety of lengths depending on the spot, and are designed to be worn with athletic shoes.


Athletic socks are designed to provide maximum comfort and performance. They help to reduce friction and absorb sweat, keeping your feet cool and dry. Whether you’re sponsoring a marathon or hosting a roller skating event for your team, athletic socks are the way to go.


Plaid custom dress socks for HH on an employee's feet wearing dress shoes



Benefits of Dress Socks

Custom logo dress socks have a few key benefits that make them the perfect choice for more formal occasions, or a wider variety of use cases.


Versatility: Our casual dress socks work just as well under a suit as they do with your most casual outfit, so they can really be a great fit for most occasions and use cases.

Style: Dress socks come in a variety of colors and patterns, so you can easily find a pair that matches your outfit.


Benefits of Athletic Socks

Athletic socks also have their own unique benefits that make them the perfect choice for any active occasion.


Performance: Our athletic socks are designed to provide maximum comfort and performance, much like custom Nike elite socks. They help to reduce friction and absorb sweat, keeping your feet cool and dry.

Breathability: Athletic socks are typically made of breathable materials such as cotton or synthetic blends, which help to keep your feet and the feet of your whole sports team ventilated.

Support: Athletic socks provide extra arch and ankle support. This can help to reduce fatigue and improve performance.


Custom argyle golf socks on a golfer putting into the hole on a green



When to Order Custom Dress Socks

Dress socks are the perfect choice for any formal occasion. They can be worn with a suit and tie for a wedding or a job interview, or even with jeans and a blazer for a casual outing. No matter the occasion, dress socks can help you look and feel your best. We recommend ordering dress socks for new hire packages, conference giveaways, and donor gifts.


When to Order Custom Athletic Socks

Athletic socks are the perfect choice for any active occasion. They can be worn with a pair of running shoes for a jog in the park, or with a pair of basketball shoes for a pickup game. We recommend ordering personalized sports socks for more casual occasions, like work from home kits, company stores, and corporate sporting events.


Tips for Buying the Right Dress Socks

When it comes to buying bulk orders of team socks or putting your logo on socks that are a bit less casual, there are a few key things to keep in mind.


Quality: Look for dress socks made of high quality materials such as wool or cotton, which are more durable materials. They will ensure that your swag lasts longer and leaves a higher value brand impression.

Fit: Make sure the dress socks you buy fit comfortably. If they’re too tight, they can be uncomfortable and cause blisters.

Color: Pick a color that matches your brand, but also is wearable. If you’re wanting to match a suit, look for a pair of dress socks in a neutral color such as black or gray, with accent colors from your branding.

Sizing: Our socks are unisex, and have easy sizing, so your order of custom men’s dress socks easily becomes an order of custom socks for any person, regardless of gender identity.


Tips for Buying the Right Athletic Socks

When it comes to buying athletic socks, there are a few key things to keep in mind.


Comfort: Look for athletic socks made of comfortable materials such as cotton or synthetic blends. These materials are breathable and can help to keep your feet cool and dry.

Support: Make sure the athletic socks you buy provide adequate arch and ankle support. This can help to reduce fatigue and improve performance.

Fit: Make sure the athletic socks you buy fit snugly. If they’re too loose, they can cause blisters or slip off during activity. See our size guide to ensure that when you design your own sports socks, you are ordering to be inclusive of your whole team.


In conclusion, Sock Club offers several different types of custom socks, from dress socks to custom team socks, to fit your need and use case. Dress socks are the most versatile option, but our elite sport socks are a home run for the right type of event. Email us today at custom@sockclub.com to get advice from one of our dedicated sock experts about which sock is the best fit for your project. Our design team is standing by to deliver you free sock designs in just 24 hours!

Sock Club
March 19, 2024