Uniqlo’s color socks are the quiet wardrobe lever. They cost little, come in useful shades and allow a man to adjust the mood of a plain outfit without buying another jacket. Grey trousers with brown socks, navy chinos with bottle green, denim with oatmeal — these tiny changes do more work than expected. They are not precious, which is part of the charm. Buy several pairs and let the drawer become a palette.

American Trench makes socks that remember gym class, surplus stores and American manufacturing without turning nostalgic. The retro stripe socks bring a little color and sport to loafers, sneakers or boots, and they are especially good when the rest of the outfit has become too polite. Socks are a small place to be brave because the risk is measured in inches. These offer just enough personality to reward looking down.