Marino Men's Dress Socks - 12 Pack Colorful Cotton Fashion Socks for Business & Casual Wear - Funky Patterned Socks for Office, Party & Everyday Use

I first recieved these socks as a holiday gift three years ago. A little background about myself, I have an extensive "fun sock" collection to wear to work. I take style, comfort, and durability of socks very seriously as I spend a lot of time wearing them every week. It's my little way of spicing up my otherwise mundane outfits.With that being said; out of all the major brands I've tried on Amazon, these are simply the best! When I first opened them, I was absolutely blown away. Since then, I have exclusively shopped this brand.Packaging: I'm a sucker for good packaging. These socks come neatly rolled up in a very sturdy and stylish box, which flips open to display the sock and their patterns nestled in a graphic box and tissue paper. Although this doesn't impact the socks themselves, this level of detail is evidence of the care this company puts into making this product. Also, as a bonus - it makes the set FEEL nicer and more substantial - optimal for gift giving!Softness: when first wearing these socks, they are incredibly soft. This typically lasts the first few weeks/wash cycles. After that, they slowly begin to roughen up a bit. The inside portion of the sock stays intact, but the outside will naturally stretch over time. However, these socks do so at a much slower rate compared to other brands I've tried, so I'd hardly count it as a con. If you really want to, you can use fabric sofener and a "pill remover" to revive them good as new! With moderate use and sock style rotation in mind, I'd say the shelf life of these socks lasts 8-12 months depending on ware and tear.Comfort: pretty much the same as above. They are very much a dress sock, and because of that are going to be thinner than say sport socks. Some of the designs have different stitches then others, so the feel will vary pair by pair. A good rule of thumb - coloring and basic patterns will be flat and smooth. Conversely, more detailed patterns (such as a flower or anything raised) will result in a clump of threading on the inside, which can sometimes be bothersome if you wear dress shoes.Style: At the time this review was written, these boxsets come in a plethora of design options. Usually the set follows a color palette, and are true to color and design from how they appear in pictures. The color remains the same throughout the life of the sock, with the exception of where your foot meets to ground (For me, that is my heal and the balls of my feet). Other than that, the color stays true and will provide a pop of pizzazz to any outfit!Fit: I am 6'0", 215lbs and a shoe size 13 wide. The first pair I was gifted only went up to size 12. Although the socks still fit, it was definitely a tigher experience. (Something I'm used to since size 12 is typically the cut off for large sizes unless you shop big and tall). The following sock set I purchased went above a size 13, and it made a WORLD of difference! I hardly noticed they were even on my feet. When I pull them to their maximum height (middle calf), there is no obvious sign of stretcher or tension - something I've never experienced before. They also comfortably fit under both sneakers as well as dress shoes, making them optimal for anyone afraid of loosing shoe space to sock size.Conclusion: Since receiving these socks, I've never felt the need to shop elsewhere again. Am I being a bit over zealous with my fondest for these socks? Perhaps. But for good cause! For my needs, they are perfect. I have never been fathful to a single brand of any clothing before this. After the first year, 6 out of 12 pairs made it well into the lifespan of the next cycle of socks. As I collected more and more, the mileage certainly goes down for each pair, increasing the amount of time they will remaining in good condition while also being comfortable. That isn't to say I don't have my favorites, but it certainly stretches the collection as a whole. It is well worth spending a little extra money on these, opposed to the other patterned sock brands out there. You'll end up saving money in the long run! You'll also not be disappointed. If you have these in your cart, and are debating whether or not to buy them: let this review break the tie!