Most people choose socks by colour. Height matters just as much. It decides how much of the sock shows, which shoes it works with, and whether it stays where you put it at the end of the day.

At Escuyer we knit four heights at a family-owned factory in Portugal, all from the same soft cotton blend (80% cotton, 19% polyamide, 1% elastane), with a hand-linked toe. Here is what each one is for.

Crew socks: the everyday height

The crew sock sits mid-calf, roughly a hand's width above the ankle bone. It is the height most people mean when they simply say "socks", and it is where most of our range lives: plain ribbed, stripes, colour block, melange, tie dye, leopard and cashmere.

Crew socks work with almost anything. Under a trouser they stay hidden until you sit down, which is where a flash of colour at the ankle does its work. With a rolled hem, a loafer or a boot they become part of the outfit. In winter they cover the gap between a short boot and a trouser leg; in summer they pair with sneakers and shorts.

If you are only going to own one height, this is the one. Shop men's crew socks and women's crew socks.

Ankle socks: short, visible, spring and summer

Ankle socks stop just above the ankle bone. Ours have a short ribbed cuff that peeks above the collar of a loafer or the tongue of a canvas sneaker, and stays put without bunching or slipping down into the shoe.

This is the height for warmer months: lighter on the leg, cooler in the shoe, and designed to be seen. Most of our ankle socks carry stripes at the cuff, in colour combinations that nod to 1970s tennis courts and old leisurewear. The women's range also includes a lurex version with a subtle metallic shimmer.

Wear them with loafers, sneakers, boat shoes, or with a cropped trouser where a crew sock would feel like too much. Shop men's ankle socks and women's ankle socks.

Knee high socks: for skirts, dresses and boots

Knee high socks reach just below the knee. They are the most graphic of the four heights: a long block of colour up the leg, finished with a contrasting band at the top. We knit them in soft combed cotton with a snug, non-slip cuff, so they stay up through the day without leaving a mark.

They are made for skirts and dresses, for the space between a loafer and a hemline, and for boots in colder weather where a crew sock would leave a cold gap. Rolled trousers work too. Pick a tone that matches the outfit for a quiet look, or a bold two-colour pair to make the sock the point.

Our knee high socks are currently made in a women's size. Shop women's knee high socks.

No show socks: the invisible ones

No show socks (also called invisible socks, loafer socks or footsies) sit entirely below the shoe line. Nobody is meant to see them. They exist so you can wear loafers, boat shoes or low sneakers without bare feet rubbing against leather or canvas.

The classic complaint with this type of sock is that it slides off the heel and ends up balled under your foot. Ours have silicone grips at the heel to hold them in place, and are knitted from a soft, breathable cotton for summer.

We make them in a handful of solid colours: a flash of blue or green at the heel as you walk, then gone. Shop men's no show socks and women's no show socks.

Which height should you choose?

A simple rule: the lower the shoe and the warmer the weather, the shorter the sock. The more leg you show, the longer the sock.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between crew socks and ankle socks?

Height. Crew socks come up to mid-calf and cover the ankle and lower leg; ankle socks stop just above the ankle bone. Crew socks are the all-rounder for trousers and boots, ankle socks are lighter and meant to be seen with loafers and sneakers in warmer weather.

Are no show socks the same as invisible socks?

Yes. No show, invisible, loafer socks and footsies all describe the same thing: a sock cut low enough to disappear inside the shoe. Ours have silicone heel grips so they do not slip off.

Do no show socks really stay on?

Ours do, thanks to a silicone grip inside the heel. A plain no show sock without a grip will usually work its way under your foot by midday, which is why we added one.

Do knee high socks stay up?

Yes. The cuff is knitted snug and non-slip so it holds just below the knee without rolling down, and without being tight enough to leave a mark. Pull them up fully when you put them on rather than letting them sit at the calf.

Do you make knee high socks for men?

Not at the moment. Our knee high socks come in one women's size (EU 36 to 41). If you are after a longer men's sock, our crew socks are the tallest option in the men's range.

What sizes do your socks come in?

One size for men (EU 40 to 46) and one size for women (EU 36 to 41). We keep it that way on purpose: the cotton blend has enough stretch to fit comfortably across the range, and it keeps things simple. No show socks run slightly narrower (men EU 41 to 45, women EU 37 to 41) because they need a closer fit to stay in the shoe.

Which height is best for loafers?

It depends on how much sock you want to show. For a bare-ankle look, no show socks. For a visible stripe at the cuff, ankle socks. For a full sock with a trouser, crew. Knee highs with loafers and a skirt or dress are a classic combination.

Which height is best for boots?

Crew socks for most boots. Knee high socks if you are wearing a skirt or dress with boots, or want warmth above a short boot.

Are all heights made from the same material?

Yes. Every height is knitted from the same cotton blend (80% cotton, 19% polyamide, 1% elastane) at a family-owned factory near Braga in northern Portugal, with a hand-linked toe for a smooth, seamless finish. Our cashmere socks are a crew height in a cashmere and merino wool blend.

How should I wash them?

Machine wash at 30°C, inside out, and skip the tumble dryer. Air drying keeps the colour and the shape, and the socks will last a lot longer.

Escuyer. Considered design, made to last.