There are three things you can rely on in life: death, taxes and receiving socks as a Christmas present. In fact, for the first 30 years of my life, I never bought a pair of my own, as I knew I could depend on receiving a pair or five every Christmas.
But that doesn’t mean socks are a bad gift – far from it. A pair of comfortable, aesthetically pleasing socks will bring joy every time they’re sought out in the drawer. Here we’ve rounded up the best bamboo, cashmere, alpaca and just plain fun socks for men, women and children.
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Best socks for women
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Nishiguchi Kutsushita wool jacquard socks
£28 at Toast
These beautiful socks are made in Japan using traditional methods and vintage knitting machines. Most importantly, they’re incredibly soft, squidgy and warm.
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Cashmere bed socks
£38 at The White Company
For a really luxurious Christmas present, these bed socks from The White Company are pure cashmere, with the light ribbing adding to their stay-in-bed-all-day appeal.
Cashmere blend ankle socks
£15 at Marks & Spencer
These seasonally red socks are made of a cashmere and wool blend, adding a bit of luxury while still being affordable enough to wear every day.
Sparkly sailor socks, pack of 4
£27.95 at Seasalt Cornwall
Seasalt Cornwall’s socks are famously comfortable. This set of four are made from mostly bamboo, and come packaged in a festive gift box that will look great under the tree.
Asos breakfast socks, pack of 2
£8 at Asos
If, like me, you’ve already got the croissant bauble, candle and necklace, then these croissant-embroidered socks are the logical next step. The frill detailing adds to the kitschy cuteness.
• For more inexpensive but characterful ideas, check out our Secret Santa gifts for under £10.
Ugg pom-pom socks
£30 at Oxygen Clothing
You feel more comfortable just by looking at these cable-knit, fleece-lined pair of socks from Ugg, so it’s no surprise that they’re rapidly going out of stock at most retailers.
Uniqlo Heattech socks
£7.90 at Uniqlo
Uniqlo Heattech thermals are a fashion team favourite, offering warmth while still retaining some style credentials. They’re already sold out in the festive red featured in our humongous Christmas gift guide, but the olive and navy colourways are still available and you can currently buy two for £12.90.
Pasta socks
£12 at Happy Socks
Happy Socks is a titan of the sock industry – and for good reason. Its products are comfortable and built to last, with reinforced toes and heels. This pair is perfect for any pasta lovers in your life.
Accessorize 3D blue flower socks
£5 at Asos
Whether you’re a white-trainer obsessive or a plain loafers girl, these fun flower-printed socks will add a bit of interest to your footwear.
Sockins sofa sock
£19 at Loaf
As you’d expect of socks made by sofa specialist Loaf, these are designed with comfort in mind. There’s lots of extra padding and soft lamb’s wool for a cosy day spent on the sofa. We love them in burnt orange.
Black sheer dotted socks
£6 at Glassworks London
London-based fashion brand Glassworks makes incredibly beautiful sheer socks, perfect for pairing with your favourite party shoes.
Alpaca lounge socks
£25 at Samantha Holmes
A cosy pair of alpaca bed socks will help you get through a long, cold winter. One Filter staffer is so obsessed with how comfortable these socks are that she bought them for 10 of her friends last Christmas.
Bow socks
£8 at Calzedonia
Just can’t fit enough bows into your outfit? These short cotton socks from Calzedonia add a little fun to your look without any wacky over-the-top colours.
Counting sheep ankle socks, pack of 4
£22 at White Stuff
White Stuff is known for making comfortable everyday socks. This cute sheep-themed set has a wintry feel without being too festive to wear after the decorations have been packed away.
Bam bamboo trainer socks, pack of 4
£19.50 at Bam
Who said trainer socks are dead? Certified B-Corp Bam makes ethical – and hugely comfortable – bamboo socks. This set of four colourful trainer socks is bound to please any millennial on your list.
John Lewis wool and cashmere blend socks
£12 at John Lewis
Fair Isle print is a winter classic that seems to be having a real moment in 2024 – our own fashion team called it “the clothing equivalent of a hot water bottle”. This pair from John Lewis has 7% cashmere for extra comfort.
Casa Clara Paulina socks
£18 at Revolve
These are classic white ribbed cotton socks, but feature crocheted cherries on the sides. Pure joy.
Le Bon Shoppe Her Varsity socks
£15 at Anthropologie
These stylishly sporty cotton-blend crew socks from LA brand Le Bon Shoppe scream “boyfriend socks” . They’re sold in three different colours.
Sheer socks with diamante
£7 at Calzedonia
Guardian fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley recommended these in her affordable autumn fashion updates. “Come evening, I love the punk, jet-flecked Calzedonia sheer socks with a simple black court,” she wrote. “After decades of on-the-ground reporting, my findings are that wearing socks with high-heeled shoes approximately doubles how long you can comfortably stand in them.”
Arket cotton rib socks, pack of 5
£17 at Arket
In the same piece, Jess picked these as her favourite everyday sock. “For an instant style upgrade, buy Arket’s good-quality, cotton, ribbed ankle socks to wear with loafers, hiking sandals or trainers,” she said.
O Pioneers Quintessentially British socks
£25 at O Pioneers
These British-made socks feature some fun Britishisms, such as “cor blimey”, “slap & tickle” and “rumpy pumpy”. They’re also incredibly comfortable and work with every genre of footwear.
John Lewis leopard-print cotton-mix socks, pack of 3
£10 at John Lewis
John Lewis is a reliable high-street favourite for socks, and we love this set of pink leopard-print pairs (also available in blue and teal). A subtle way to add on-trend animal print to your look.
Personalised post-cold-water swim socks
From £11.99 at Etsy
Perfect for any cold-water swimmers in your life, these cosy socks can be personalised with a message of your choice.
Ultra-soft ribbed alpaca bed socks
£25 at Pairs Scotland
Pairs Scotland claims that these British-made alpaca bed socks are the ultimate amalgamation of all the best features of its other socks. And they’re brilliant: beautiful, comfortable and warm, they’re everything you want in a sock. A Filter office favourite.
Bamboo valeriana mushroom socks
£7.95 at Thought
Thought Clothing is a cult favourite for its comfortable bamboo socks. With a cute toadstool design, these give us an autumnal feel.
Cashmere bed socks
£38 at Rosie Sugden
This gorgeous pair of 85% cashmere bed socks are knitted in the Scottish Borders. A lovely luxury choice for Christmas.
• For more luxury gifts, read our best self-care presents for Christmas.
Hush Murica cashmere socks, pack of 3
£49 at John Lewis
This set of 7% cashmere socks from London-based brand Hush offers a little bit of luxury that you can wear every day.
Sports cotton socks, pack of 3
£19 at Community Clothing
Launched by Scottish fashion designer and Great British Sewing Bee host Patrick Grant, Community Clothing is based in Lancashire and focuses on sustainability. The socks are ideal for wearing when playing sport.
Falke light remix women’s socks
£19 at Falke
With a subtle all-over sparkle, these organic-cotton socks from Falke add a little something special to a timeless print.
Smartwool women’s hiking socks
£13.77 at Amazon
Smartwool socks are favourites among hikers. They’re durable and comfortable, with cushioning in all the right places. You won’t want to go walking in anything else.
Sock Geeks subscription, 6 months
£45 at Sock Geeks
If you’re buying for a real sock fanatic, Sock Geeks offers subscriptions, sending out a new pair every month for six months. Its personality quiz claims to discover your friend’s sock personality by asking, among other things, which picture of a cat best describes them. Monica Horridge
Best socks for men
Falke Aspen socks
£27 at Falke
German hosiery expert Falke offers some of the comfiest socks going – and there’s nothing more Christmas-appropriate than this wintry Norwegian pattern.
Uniqlo X JW Anderson Heattech anti-odour socks
£7.90 at Uniqlo
If he’s a fashion fan, then Uniqlo’s collaboration with London designer JW Anderson has you covered. They’re even built to retain heat while preventing odour. A double hit.
• Discover more men’s essentials with our capsule wardrobe guide.
Paul Smith Signature Stripe socks
£25 at Paul Smith
For striped socks, Paul Smith is your best bet. Any guy would love to unwrap the Signature Stripe – one of the brand’s instantly recognisable house codes – on 25 December.
Happy Socks Candy Cane socks
£12 at Happy Socks
Premium novelty socks are hard to come by – until you find Happy Socks. Take this candy cane design, for example, which is taken up a notch by the soft combed-cotton material and reinforced heel.
SCRT Bunny Socks
£15 at SCRT
SCRT is great for film fans. Every season, the brand designs collections inspired by cult classics. This time, it’s Donnie Darko.
Pantherella Knightsbridge cashmere socks
£77.50 at Pantherella
For cashmere socks, head to Pantherella. Not only do these items feel luxuriously soft but they also fit like a glove. We want them in all 11 colours.
Toast Chup wool blend socks
£39 at Toast
Toast works with artisans worldwide for collections that are thoughtfully designed and responsibly crafted. Case in point: these socks, which are made in Japan on traditional stocking frame machines.
London Sock Co Shaken & Stirred socks
£18 at London Sock Co
London Sock Co specialises in dress socks with a twist, so it’s great for guys who like to add a pop of interest to their formal wardrobe.
The 007 DB5 socks
£12 at London Sock Exchange
We may not know who the next James Bond will be, but you can get your fix with The London Sock Exchange’s 007 range – Aston Martin not included.
Warm & Wonderful Sheep Socks Diana Red
£19 at Rowing Blazers
Warm & Wonderful by name and nature, the knitwear expert’s cosy socks are a cool take on novelty, which will work well on Christmas Day. Peter Bevan
Manchester Heritage socks
£12.99 at Stand4Socks
Socks are one of the most requested donations at homeless shelters, yet are rarely donated. For each pair you buy from this Manchester-based B-Corp, it will donate a thick, antibacterial pair to vulnerable people in the UK and Ukraine. They’re also posted in compostable packaging. MH
Smartwool Moutaineer Classic Edition hiking socks
£27 at Smartwool
These are my hiking socks of choice. I’m a big fan of Smartwool. It makes some great running socks too, although admittedly they’re on the pricier side.
Stance Run Light crew socks
£16.99 at Stance
I love Stance running socks. I hate ankle socks and always run in crew socks, so these are perfect for me. Paddy Maddison
Best kids’ socks
Ice cream socks
£10 at Happy Socks
These frilly, joyful ice-cream-themed socks will bring a smile to any child’s face.
Uniqlo x Anya Hindmarch Heattech socks
£5.90 at Uniqlo
Anya Hindmarch’s fun collaboration with Uniqlo has been flying off the shelves. At the time of writing, these socks are available only in their darker, more school-suitable colourways.
Nike Everyday Plus Cushioned crew socks, pack of 6
£25 at Nike
Nike’s crew socks are almost part of the uniform for under-25s. Inspire them to wear a little colour with this rainbow-hued gift pack (also available in a Kardashian-style spectrum of beiges).
Kids mask socks gift set, pack of 4
£21 at Happy Socks
This adorable gift set is filled with banana, toast and egg-themed socks, and the box has removable egg-shaped glasses, making it a bit more fun for kids to open on Christmas Day.
Save the Pandas socks
£7.99 at Bare Kind
For any panda lovers, these bamboo socks not only look cute but also raise money for Panda International, helping to protect the animals from extinction. Bare Kind also makes versions to benefit sloths, orangutans and penguins among others, donating 10% of profits to the relevant charity.
Game Over slipper socks, pack of 2
£10.99 at Sock Shop
These slip-resistant slipper socks are great for any gamers in the family. They also come with a football pattern if your kid’s interests are more active (or FIFA is their game of choice).
Personalised Mini Me matching socks, pack of 2
£19.95 at Little Sock Company
A matching set for a parent and their mini me, these cute pink Nordic-style socks can also be personalised with up to five letters printed on the cuff.
Hunter recycled 6-stitch cable boot socks
£22 at Hunter Boots
Hunter’s recycled boot socks are so stylish that you might find yourself envying your kid’s muddy wellies.
Dragon socks
£10 at Happy Socks
These bright and colourful socks will be perfect for any dragon-obsessed adventurers.
Thought Dannie baby socks in a bag
£6.95 at Thought
Packed inside an adorable mini jumper-shaped bag, these organic cotton Fair Isle socks come in sizes suitable for babies up to 24 months.
Falke babies’ knitted boot socks
£26 at Falke
These are so cute that we bet you can’t look at them without scrunching your face. Made from sustainable cotton, they almost look as if you’ve knitted them yourself.
John Lewis Baby organic-cotton roll-top socks, pack of 5
£6 at John Lewis
This rainbow-coloured pack of cotton socks comes in sizes from 0 to 3 years, although the grippy bottoms make them particularly suitable for babies just starting to find their feet.
New Balance booties, pack of 2
£12 at Fenwick
Why should trainers only be for grownups? These cute New Balance booties fit newborns up to six months old. MH
