A giftable illustrated guide to wearing socks, packed with history, upkeep and maintenance tips, and style advice

Socks, a bare necessity in anyone's wardrobe, are often a one-and-done, wear-it-if-it's-clean kind of garment. You put them on, pull them up, and go about the rest of your day. But there's a lot more to a good sock than meets the eye, or the foot. Within the world of socks, there are a staggering number of options, from material to style to length to, of course, color and print. How to Wear Socks teaches you everything you need to know about socks.

Written by fashion editor John Jannuzzi, the book includes a deep dive on the history, the basics, the key styles, and proper upkeep and maintenance. Once you have a solid foundation, Jannuzzi shows you exactly how to pair socks with different types of shoes. Whether they're black, white, short, long, or patterned, there are rules. The book also includes fun sidebars on Famous Socks and style tips from sock connoisseurs. How to Wear Socks proves that this fashion necessity should no longer be an afterthought.