Have you thought about the difference between the ankle and quarter socks? In this article, I’ll tell you the main differences between these two types of socks, which ones to choose when to wear, and more.
Ankle and quarter socks are not the same. Quarter socks are a little higher as they cover the ankle and go up to the shins. Ankle socks only go up to the ankles, which is why they are called Ankle socks. Compared to knee socks, quarter socks only go up to the quarter, where they got their name.
Although not obvious at first sight, the main difference between ankle socks and quarter socks is that quarter socks cover the ankles. Below I have some suggestions for when to wear these socks and how they compare to other sock lengths.
Are ankle or quarter socks higher and Do they Cover The Ankle?
Quarter socks are higher than ankle socks because they cover the ankle, while ankle socks go below or halfway to the ankle.
Athletes prefer to wear quarter socks because they hug the ankle, protect it from injury, and prevent blisters. Even for recreational athletes who go to the gym, run, play tennis, or something similar, it is recommended to wear quarter socks. Your feet will be warmer and more protected against injury. They also go well with shorts as they are not as visible as crew socks.
When should you wear ankle socks?
Ankle socks should be worn when you don’t want your socks to be visible, as they hide almost completely behind the shoe. Ankle socks can be worn for sport, with shorts, or with capri pants because you want the skin to be visible when wearing these pants.
Ankle socks got their name from their length, which reaches to the ankles. They are slightly longer than low socks, so they are a little more visible when wearing shoes. That’s why many people choose to wear colored ankle socks to brighten up their look (see the picture above for an example). I recommend ankle socks when wearing casual clothes, sports shoes, and sneakers. Read also how to combine patterned and striped socks with a suit.
When wearing colored socks, ensure they are the same shade as the color of the trousers. Continue reading this article, where I will show you how to combine the color of your socks with other clothes.
Should You Wear Ankle Socks With Shorts?
Ankle socks are good for wearing with shorts and capri pants. For footwear, sneakers are recommended. Ankle socks can be a single color in the color of the trousers or colored with patterns to brighten up the look, especially when wearing white sneakers.
Ankle socks are good for wearing with shorts because they do not cover much skin. In addition to ankle socks, shorter socks are also suitable for wearing with shorts. If you want to have a sockless look, it is recommended to wear low or even no-show socks. How low you need your socks depends on the height of your shoes.
Sneakers are usually higher than dress shoes, loafers, or espadrilles. It’s better to wear slightly higher socks (low or ankle) for sneakers as they will protect you from direct skin rubbing against the shoe and blisters.
If you want to achieve a sockless look with dress shoes, read this post, where I explain how to do it properly so that you can still wear the shoes comfortably. And you can read this post for 7 reasons why it’s important to wear dress socks with dress shoes.
Should I wear ankle socks or long socks?
If you wear sneakers and shorts, it is better to wear ankle socks. If you wear dress shoes and a suit, wear long dress socks. Wear ankle socks when you want your skin to be visible, improving your appearance. Wear long socks when you want to cover the skin on your leg.
There are several types of socks: crew, knee, and over-the-knee socks. Crew or knee socks are often worn with a suit because they go up high and cover the skin when sitting. If they are made of good quality materials, they can last all day on the leg. You can find out how to identify good quality dress socks here.
Over-the-knee socks are mainly worn by women when wearing a short skirt, shorts, or long boots. Over-the-knee socks cover two-thirds or more of the leg and can be worn in colder weather because they act as trousers.
Ankle socks are more suitable for summer because they expose the skin and keep us cooler in hot weather. When we want to stay warm in winter, it’s better to wear long socks to protect ourselves from the cold.