I just turned 32, I’ve recently won the first award of my career, and I’m using fairly lavish vacays to celebrate this explosive new chapter. It’s because I was born and raised on the finer things, and it’s manifested itself in my adulthood…all the way down to a pair of socks.
Southern Scholar is a brand I learned about just before deleting most of my social media this year. Founded by Kevin Wohlman in 2014, the brand offers both mid-calf and the classier over-the-calf (OTC) style, and their socks have to be some of the softest and most luxurious I’ve ever worn. One of the last in my massive collection of hosiery—mostly Gold Toe—I ordered the Oatmeal Ribbed Solid sock in over-the-calf. The shipping was quick, but the packaging is what left an indelible first impression.
Southern Scholar has their own official labeling, but they also send sort of a care package including a flyer about the company and their process, a business card, and a “baseball card” about your specific sock with outfit tips. I’m a graphic designer, and even the layout and the quality of the print materials were en pointe.
But about the socks.
To say that they’re made of a synthetic blend, the Southern Scholar feel better than any of the wool socks I own, and I love the stitching of their logo on the upper leg. Their custom-built cuff has a really soft and thick reinforcement without cutting off your circulation, but what did it for me was the insanely smooth texture and the translucence of the material, thanks to their 200 needle count knitting, as my bronze complexion peeped through as I slid them on. They remind me of a few European brands.
With that said, I do love European fashion—namely Italian. I chose khakis, a white mock neck, a navy sport coat and tan suede wingtips for my flight back home to Houston from Dallas on JSX, and I knew I should turn to Southern Scholar to complete the look—after all, the company is based there. But this would be my first time wearing them for more than a few Instagram photos, and let me tell you they held up great after a lengthy afternoon of packing from an Airbnb, hopping a Lyft and schlepping across an airport tarmac.
Southern Scholar socks won’t strangle your legs in order to stay up, while the body of each sock gives the perfect amount of breathability, and in my case, don’t dry my feet out. They feel great, almost like silk, and you just get so much satisfaction in knowing that you’re wearing some of the best stuff out there; Southern Scholar socks are some of the best out there bar none, and they’re an American brand. I thought I would stop at my one pair, but now I’m not so sure…
Click here to view their online store, where they offer a wide array of colors and styles, as well as memberships and other perks.
THE OUTFIT
Sport Coat: Van Heusen
T-Shirt: Selected Homme from ASOS
Khakis: J. Crew
Shoes: Johnston & Murphy
Belt (not pictured): Anson Belt & Buckle
Fleur de Lis Lapel Pin: PinMart on Amazon
Pocket Square: Alfani
