ACCORDING TO THE LENGTH
Knee - highs: Socks that come up to just below your knee. They're styled with elastic tops to stay up. Used mainly for women and girls' socks.
Over the Calf:Men's and boy's socks that reach just above the thickest part of the calf.
Mid - Calf (Crew): Mid-Calf socks that are popular with men. Crew socks are available in many colors and patterns. Socks with the top extending beyond ankle length but not beyond the largest part of the calf.
Anklet: Socks that cover the anklebone and rise about one-third of the way up the largest part of your calves.
Quarter: Socks that cover the anklebone. Popular with the tennis players.
Foot Socks: Short, below-the-ankle-bone socks of varying weight and fiber content. Also known as "footies."
Invisibles: Even smaller than the footies that is almost invisible under the shoes.
ACCORDING TO THE USAGE:
Casual Socks : A term used that describes all women and men's socks except for dress, athletic and work styles. They may have multi-colored designs such as stripes, herringbones, argyles and other fashion styles.
Dress Socks: Light to medium-weight men's and boy's styles, usually in dark, solid colors. Lengths vary from mid- to over-the-calf.
Outdoor-Boot Socks: These socks are generally heavyweight, rugged socks in natural cotton and wool blends. Designed for performance, comfort and fashion for outdoors.
Funnies-Fancies: Men's, women's non-basic styles that have unusual patterning , text and/or coloration.
Sports Socks:
Athletic Socks: They often have ribbed striped tops and plain foot construction. They're usually knit of cotton, and cotton blends and white in color.
Sports Specific: Socks with sport styling. Contain extra padding. The socks differ according to how thick the padding is, where protective padding is placed (on the ball, toes, instep, heel, arch or shin) and what materials are used. Examples :
- Active Sports: These are the socks you use when you do active sports. "Active Sports Socks" are different from "athletic socks," because they offer high performance features such as special fibers, triple layer construction or pads to help prevent blisters and abrasion.
- Running Socks: Socks designed for runners or joggers. Running socks generally have heavier padding or cushioning in the heels to absorb vibrations or pounding the feet takes while jogging. These socks come in varying heights from below the anklebone to mid-calf. They usually provide some wicking action to carry perspiration away from the foot.
- Cycling Socks: Sports socks designed specifically for cycling enthusiasts. Cycling socks generally have heavy knitted pads in the arch of the foot where the pedal makes contact with the foot.
- Golf Socks: Socks designed for golfers, particularly during hot weather. Golf socks generally have cushioning and are short and below the anklebone.
- Ski Socks: Socks created specifically to wear in ski boots. Also designed to provide warmth in cold weather. Ski socks have extra padding or cushioning to the front portion of your feet. This extra cushioning or padding helps prevent blisters and protects your feet.
- Tennis Socks: Socks designed specifically for tennis enthusiasts. Can be low cut, below the anklebone or a higher length. Tennis socks generally have extra cushioning near the ball of your feet to protect you during a vigorous tennis match.