When Andrew Muller, founder of Vivarati asked me to have a look at his socks, I wasn't sure what to expect. A gift set arrived an impressively short time later (only a few days across the border and from coast to coast) and I was intrigued by the excellent packing and hand-signed note that he provided for me. Opening the gift set revealed four picks from the collection.

Packaging aside, designer socks are a matter of style and construction first and foremost and, in terms of style, the socks certainly make a statement. Bold designs for business mean Vivarati socks will likely appeal to many young professionals who read the pages of fashion magazines like GQ and are looking for ways to punch up their look. Muller clearly knows his audience, as he is cut from the same cloth, having spent years working for a large financial firm in New York. However, Muller faces tough competition in this category from the likes of Thomas Pink, Richard James, Paul Smith and Duchamp on the high end, and Happy Socks, Corgi and others on the low end. In the pairs that I tried the style of the socks is top notch, competing with the best of them. I have a very large sock collection and I found the Vivarati socks to find their own fit in the collection, offering simple, vibrant patterns that are uncluttered; comparable to my Duchamp socks, but a few bucks cheaper. After several wearings, I am particularly fond of The Rollover.

Although I do like the style of the socks, I am constantly annoyed by the small Vivarati symbol that is stitched into each sock. I recognize the importance of branding, but I've always disliked the use of a marque on the ankle. It reminds me of cheap department store socks or, worse yet, Hugo Boss socks (which I am surprised do not come with a BOSS T-Shirt you must wear by contract to increase brand awareness). However, I am glad that Muller has had the marque moved on some socks avoid interrupting the design, and I admire the attention to detail. To be fair, I don't have a branding solution to that problem. Some of my other socks have their brands printed on the toe, but I think I'd prefer to see the designs speak for themselves, with no branding at all, as with some of my other pairs of socks. If I like the socks enough, I won't suddenly forget who made them, and anyone who insisted on seeing the top of my ankle to identify which brand of socks I was wearing would annoy me far more than the marque.

In terms of comfort, I am very pleased with the Vivarati socks. They are the perfect thickness (frequently a complaint of my other socks), and after wearing them over several long work days in a variety of shoes, my feet did not feel overly sweaty at any point (sweaty feet being a sure-fire sign of shitty socks). They are made from cotton, nylon and elastene with a hand-linked toe, fairly standard for their price point, and well-constructed. Time will tell how well they last but after one wash, following the basic instructions, they are thus far unscathed.

Overall, I think that Vivarati socks are a good purchase if you like to wear bold socks as I do. They come in a little less expensive than comparable brands, and the designs are perfect for an office wardrobe filled with slim suits and splashes of colour, although a man with a larger socks collection may find the designs too simple. While the selection is a bit on the limited side right now, I'm sure that Muller will be expanding it as he grows the business. If you're looking to pick some up, I'd recommend the gift set. The price is great, getting you one pair practically free, and it gives you a chance to check out an assortment. I especially appreciate the free shipping both ways, as many retailers are catching on, even if it doesn't apply to non-Americans such as myself.

As always, thanks for reading, and look for my next article in the Building Style from the Ground Up series coming early next week.

- Mr. S