A Little More Sole: The Maze Guide to ROTOTO Socks
From polka dots to proper cosy: find your perfect pair of Japanese-made socks.
Let's talk about socks. Not the emergency pair at the bottom of your drawer, or the ones that mysteriously vanish in the wash. We mean really good socks. The kind that make an outfit, feel brilliant on your feet and turn an everyday essential into something you're a bit excited about.
Meet ROTOTO. The brand comes from Kōryō, Japan, a small town in Nara Prefecture with a long sock-making tradition, and the socks are hand-finished using traditional techniques. The range leans on linen, cotton and silk blends, plus a few cosy wool ones for winter. The colour combinations are the sort that make you want to show off your ankles.
We stock a lot of it, so we've done the hard work. Whether you dress classic, love a colour clash, or believe being cosy is a perfectly respectable personality trait, there's a pair below for you. Prices run from £27 to £72 (that's the scarf, more on that later), and returns are free in the UK.
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01. The Gateway Pair: Polka Socks (£28)
Right, let's start with the fun ones. Spots are one of those rare patterns that work with everything: indigo denim, wide-leg trousers, your most boring chinos. Roll your trouser hem up an inch, let the dots peek out above a loafer or a pair of trainers, and people will notice. You'll look like you meant it.
There are four colourways, Black Charcoal, Ecru Blue, Grey Beige and Navy Indigo. The darker ones are very easy to wear, and Ecru Blue is the one to grab if you're feeling brave.
Best for: pattern-curious dressers, gift-givers, and anyone whose sock drawer is currently 90% grey.
02. The Colour Fix: Double Face Socks (£29)
If the Polka is a gentle nudge, the Double Face is the heavyweight. These are chunky, mountaineering-style socks knit in Japan in two layers: merino wool on the outside and a soft, napped organic cotton lining on the inside. Think of them as a sweatshirt for your feet.
There are ten colourways, from easy Charcoal and Dark Brown to brave Orange, Yellow and Grape, with Blue Brown, Deep Ocean Blu and Army Green in between.
They're made for boots and cold floors, and the colour does the talking, so wear a bright pair with an otherwise quiet outfit. Navy jumper, grey trousers, yellow socks. Job done, and you look far more put-together than you did five minutes ago. They come in sizes S to L (UK 5–11) with a ribbed cuff.
Best for: boot wearers, colour lovers, collectors (ten is a lot, but nobody's judging) and anyone who needs to be talked out of black socks again.
03. The Smart One: Jacquard Crew Socks (£32)
Now for something a bit more grown-up. The Jacquard Crew comes in Ivory Navy, Ivory Gold and Ivory Dark Green, and the woven pattern gives them real presence without shouting. They sit at crew length, so they go with smart trousers, boots and loafers.
This is the pair for people who want their socks noticed, but only by the right people. They're also a very good first ROTOTO if you're buying for someone else.
Best for: keep-it-classic dressers, desk-to-dinner outfits and anyone who owns a good pair of boots. We're generally happier buying fewer things and wearing them more, so that suits us too.
04. The Cosy Hero: Comfy Room Socks (£48)
Here's the pair for anyone who thinks a good evening starts with taking your shoes off. The Comfy Room Socks are an ultra-low gauge knit, which is a technical way of saying chunky, with a brushed finish that makes them soft and warm. A diamond pattern and a turned-down ribbed cuff keep them looking smart, in case anyone pops round.
The best bit is underneath: a non-slip rubber sole, so you can cross a wooden floor on a January morning without a sock-skid disaster. They come in Charcoal, Ivory, Navy and Red, in sizes S (UK 5–7), M (7–9) and L (9–11). Yes, £48 is a lot for slipper-socks, but they're what you'll put on the second you get home and live in until March.
Best for: home-bodies, anyone with cold floors, and gifting to someone who "doesn't need anything".
05. The Cold-Weather Classic: Nordic Socks (£32)
When the temperature drops, these are the ones to reach for. In Brown, Dark Grey and Ivory, they're about as autumnal as socks get. They look best under chunky boots, with a big knit and a stubborn refusal to admit it's winter.
Pick Dark Grey if you want maximum versatility, Brown if you've got a suede or tan-boot habit, or Ivory if you want a bit of contrast against dark denim.
Best for: boot wearers, knitwear obsessives and anyone who's already thinking about Christmas.
06. The Curveball: Sockstole Tubular Scarf (£72)
Yes, it's a scarf. And yes, we're including it in a sock guide, because it's made by a sock brand and it's brilliant. The name is a play on "sock" and "stole", and the tubular knit means it's a loop you can wrap, twist and pull around your neck without any fuss.
It comes in Dark Navy, Gold, Green and Red, so there's a good chance one of them is already your colour. If you're buying for someone who "has everything", this is a very good answer.
Best for: gifters, scarf people and anyone who likes the idea of a sock-maker's take on winter neckwear.
Still can't choose? Grab two.
It's an easy decision to make. Pair a Polka with a Double Face, add a Comfy Room for home, and you've covered office, weekend and sofa. They also make very good presents. Socks are easy to give, hard to get wrong, and a lot more interesting than a gift card.
Orders can be collected free in store (1–2 working days), or delivered from £5.50, and if you're not happy, UK returns are free. Fourteen days on full-price items, seven on sale.
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