How To Wear Shooting Socks: Over Or Under Your Breeks?

Knowing how to wear shooting socks correctly is an essential part of shooting etiquette. So, with that in mind, should you cuff your breeks on or off? Which strategy would best showcase your industry knowledge? For a style guide on how to wear shooting socks, keep reading!

Do Socks or Breeks Go On First?

If you agree with 68% of the electorate that socks should be worn over breeches, then you are in the majority. But is it really the case? Sports agent Adam Calvert firmly disagrees. In his own article, he stated: “I can’t believe people misunderstood this! Always wear breeches over socks. Your breeks are too tiny if your socks need to cover them. I base my notion on the basis that historically, long socks should still be worn above your knees, he added, adding that while tying up your garters, only the designs of the tassel should be seen since a long tassel is “the fieldsports equivalent of a naf tracksuit.”” Additionally, he said that just the very tip of the tassel should be seen when you knot your garters.

More About Breeks, Plus Twos, and Plus Fours

Breeks are really legwear that fasten with a buckle and sit just below the knee, but in this context, RBSS and Mr. Calvert are using the term “breeks” to refer to breeks, plus twos, plus fours, sixes, and eights generally, which is a fairly common use. No extra fabric hangs over the cuff or falls below it.

Plus twos and plus fours, on the other hand, are manufactured with extra fabric that is meant to be folded over the cuff, which remains fastened just below the knee. As you would have guessed, plus twos have an additional 2 inches of material, plus fours have an additional 4 inches, and so on.

Wearing Shooting Socks with Plus Twos, Plus Fours, and Breeks

All types of shooting clothing, whether contemporary or traditional, is designed to keep the user warm, dry, and at ease while spending the day in the field. The weather must be kept out as a priority. And here is where I start to disagree with Mr. Calvert’s assertion that breeks should always take precedence over socks.

Now, whenever it comes to plus twos and fours, it stands to reason that putting the breeks over the sock’s folded-down top makes sense since the extra fabric provides more wind and rain protection.

Real breeks, on the other hand, are not like this. Regarding breeks, it is highly recommended that you fasten the cuff, try pulling the sock right above over the cuff, and tie the garter just below the cuff, then fold the sock back down over the garter, leaving just a tiny overlapping the bottom of the cuff to create the weather-proof seal. You cannot prevent the sock from falling down, but you can prevent the cuff from riding up. Additionally, breek-over-sock will conceal the fashionable pattern at the top of your socks if you prefer the jazzier style of shooting sock!