Socks - Regular or OTC length

At Granqvist we offer socks of both “regular” length mid-calf socks and OTC, over-the-calf socks. All merino wool socks in all lengths come in the same colours: brown, black, navy blue, olive green, burgundy red, grey and dark grey. We also offer cotton socks more adopted to the warmer seasons. These come in dark green, beige, black, navy blue, burgundy, grey and brown. To top it all off we offer two different size groups for our socks, 39-42 EU (5-8 UK) and 43-46 EU (9-12 UK). Make sure to check them all out and take part of our get 5 and pay for 4 socks deal here!

With the option to choose length which one should you go for? The quick answer is of course preference, the length you are most comfortable with. My opinion on the matter is that OTC is the best length and here’s why.

OTC socks don’t fall down the knee as mid-calf’s do, that’s the main pro of the OTC length. Gone are the days of always pulling your socks up, trying to make them look and feel comfortable. Some people would say that once you try OTC you never want to go back. Another benefit is the length doesn’t show skin. When you sit down your trousers will go further up the leg because, well, physics. If you’re a man who like to put one leg over the other when sitting down this is certainly something you are aware of. This can lead to your skin showing up and saying hello, disrupting the balance of your outfit. The last thing you want is your skin to come in as a sore contrast to your clothes and cut off the very finesse of your outfit. As you all know it is all in the details a man’s true attire expertise come forward, you don’t want the length of your socks to disrupt that. One thing to remember is that the socks were originally in OTC length and it wasn’t until the second world war the mid-calf became standard. The reason behind it, shortage in wool materials.

So why choose mid-calf’s, you might ask. I have just bashed it to the ground. One thing to remember is if you like wearing tighter, more slim trousers the OTC is most likely not the length for you. While it may stay put better the tightness of the trousers might make it feel weird. Most people also don’t see the reason for changing either, which is completely understandable. Why change something that most of the time works? Considering this, I would like for you readers out there who haven’t tried a pair of OTC socks yet to try one pair. Who knows, your whole world might turn upside down or you’ll start to see it from another perspective. When wearing OTC socks the possibilities are endless!

All jokes aside, while I think the OTC is the best, only you can determine what style works best for you. The main thing to bring with you from this article is that you shouldn’t be afraid to try something new. The mid-calf sock is undoubtedly the most popular in general but don’t let that stop you. We at Granqvist want our customers to try and step out of their comfort zone within the realm of clothes and menswear.

Be sure to post pictures of your Granqvist Store socks on Instagram (OTC or mid-calf) and let us know how you pair yours with the rest of your clothes! Matching and pairing socks to your outfit is a whole other subject we will talk about more in future blog posts.

Adam of Granqvist Store