How to Wear Printed Compression Socks to the Office

Yes, printed compression socks can go to the office. What makes them look right is how much of the sock is on show and what you wear next to it. Under trousers, think of the print as a flash of colour at the ankle. Under a skirt or dress, the hem decides how much people see.

Our socks are knee-high and end just under the knee, and they're made for everyday wear, at work and on the commute included.

Print or plain Black?

For an interview or a client meeting, Black is the easy pick. It's plain black with VITAL in white on the cuff, and under trousers the cuff stays out of sight. We'd wear it with any dark suit.

On an ordinary office day, or anywhere the dress code is relaxed, go for a print. If you're not sure how a print will go down at work, try it under trousers first, where most of the sock stays covered.

What goes with each print?

A rule we like: pick a colour out of the sock and repeat it somewhere else in the outfit, in your shoes, a belt, a top or a bag. Keep the rest plain so the socks are the bit that stands out.

Cherry Pop is red cherries on warm cream, with a red cuff, heel and toe. We think it's our boldest print, so give it plain company: navy or charcoal trousers and a white shirt, or denim on a casual Friday. A red bag or belt ties it together.

Espresso has cream cups and beans on mocha, with a dark chocolate cuff, heel and toe. It's an easy match for browns. Try it with stone or tan chinos and brown leather shoes, or under navy trousers with brown brogues.

Checker is a black and cream checkerboard with a cream heel and toe. It's the print we'd choose for a grey or black suit. It stays in black and cream, so it doesn't fight the suit, and it still shows some personality when you sit down.

Daisy, our compression socks for office workers, is white daisies on soft lavender, with a deep purple cuff, heel and toe. Lavender sits nicely beside grey, navy and white. Daisy really comes into its own under a skirt or dress, where you can see the print.

Chinos, trousers and suits

Before you head out, sit down in front of a mirror and cross your legs. That's roughly what the people across the meeting table will see.

With chinos, match the sock to your shoes or to your trousers, rather than trying to match everything. Espresso with stone chinos and brown shoes is about as easy as it gets.

With a suit, Black is the safe choice. Checker under charcoal, or Espresso under navy, says a little more without shouting.

Because the socks come up to just under the knee, if your trouser hem lifts when you sit, it's sock that shows, not bare shin.

For shoes, we like loafers and brogues with the prints. On a dress-down day, clean white sneakers make them look more playful.

Skirts and dresses

Here the sock is part of the outfit, so decide how much of it you want to see. A hem that falls past the cuff covers it and leaves the print showing below. A hem that sits above the cuff shows the whole sock, cuff and all.

Don't fold or roll the cuff down to make the socks look shorter. The cuff is meant to sit just under the knee. If you'd rather see less sock, choose a longer hem, or wear trousers that day.

Plain skirts and dresses let a print do the talking. Daisy with a grey skirt, or Cherry Pop with a navy dress and a red bag, are easy places to start. Flats or a low block heel keep the look office-friendly.

Getting the fit right

When the sock is on show, fit counts. It should sit smoothly against your leg without excessive bunching or rolling, so it's worth getting the size right.

We size by ankle rather than relying only on shoe size. Measure just above the ankle bone, at the narrowest point, first thing in the morning. Enter it in the fit finder on our size guide and it shows your size: S, M or L. Add your calf measurement as a fit check. If your calf falls outside the range for your ankle size, send us both measurements before you order and we'll advise you.

Put them on in the morning as you get dressed, and smooth out any wrinkles before your trousers or skirt go on. The fabric is a soft, all-season blend of 75% combed cotton, 22% polyester and 3% elastane, so the same pair can go under a winter suit or a summer dress. For washing, follow the care answer in our FAQ.

Ready to pick a pair?

Have a look at every design side by side and picture them with what's already in your wardrobe for work. Then check your size in the size guide before you order.