Black and Off White blended as supermelange yarn produces a dark heathered grey with maximum contrast between its component tones — the black dominates at a distance, the off-white fibres are visible up close as a warm cream quality running through the knit. The result is a dark sock with significantly more visual depth than a flat-dyed solid black: it reads as sophisticated and textured rather than simply dark, which is why it crosses into more outfit contexts than a plain black chunky sock would.

The off-white element also prevents the sock from reading as heavy or closing in on itself — in changing light the cream fibres come forward, giving the blend a quality that shifts between near-black and dark charcoal depending on the light. The 6–9 gauge rib structure adds to this: the large rib columns catch light differently across their width, creating additional visual movement that a fine-knit solid would not have.

This is the most broadly applicable dark Relax colourway — the one that works with every shoe colour and every trouser in any outfit where a chunky rib is the right choice. The Black / Off White is the dark foundation of the Relax range as the Light Grey Melange / Off White is the light foundation.

Best footwear:

• Black leather Chelsea boots and Derby boots — the tonal pairing; the heathered dark grey reads as a sophisticated continuation of the black shoe — see boots guide →
• Dark suede chukka and Chelsea boots — the off-white element in the blend connects to tan and dark suede equally
• White and off-white leather sneakers — the off-white supermelange element connects the sock to the shoe; the dark rib reads above as a graphic dark accent — see sneaker guide →
• Chunky sneakers (New Balance 990, Salomon XT-6, ASICS) in black, grey, and neutral colourways — the heavier gauge suits more shoe volume
• Brown and tan leather loafers — the off-white thread warms the blend against warm leather; the dark heathered tone creates a deliberate cool-warm contrast — see loafer guide →

Best trousers: Black trousers (tonal — the heathered dark grey reads as a textured continuation rather than a flat match) · Dark charcoal and grey flannel · Dark indigo denim · Navy trousers · White and cream chinos (the highest contrast; the dark sock reads as a graphic dark anchor at the ankle) · Any trouser where a dark neutral sock is the right base

How Black / Off White differs from the other dark Relax colourways:
The Navy / Off White is directionally cool and blue — it connects specifically to navy palettes and has a clear colour temperature. Black / Off White is neutral and universal — no hue, applicable to any dark outfit regardless of colour direction. The Old Gold / Navy / Irr / Hot Chocolate / Off White is warm and complex. Black / Off White is the simplest and most broadly applicable dark blend in the range.

Best socks for boots — style guide →
Organic cotton socks buyer's guide 2026 →

Supermelange is a yarn construction technique where multiple fibres in different tones are blended together before spinning — producing a single yarn that carries all its component colours simultaneously. When knitted, this creates a heathered, tone-on-tone visual texture: the sock reads as one colour from a distance and reveals its component tones up close and in changing light.

In Black / Off White, the two tones are at maximum contrast — black and off-white cream. The result is a dark heathered grey where the individual black and cream fibres are clearly visible in the knit under close inspection, creating a depth and texture that a flat-dyed solid black sock does not have. In warm light the off-white element becomes more prominent; in low light the sock reads as near-black. The 6–9 gauge rib amplifies this: the large rib columns catch and hold light in a way that makes the heathered quality particularly visible.

The Relax Heavy Rib (DS3800) is a fundamentally different sock from the rest of the Democratique range — different gauge, different weight, different occasion.

6–9 gauge chunky knit. Where the Fine Rib and Athletique Classique are both knitted at 200 needles (producing a fine, dense fabric), the Relax is knitted at 6–9 gauge — a much coarser construction that produces large, visible rib columns, significant fabric weight, and a genuinely chunky hand feel. On a dark, high-contrast blend like Black / Off White, the large rib columns catch light across their width, making the heathered quality particularly visible.

93% organic combed cotton. The highest organic cotton content in the range — more cotton, less polyamide and elastane than either the Fine Rib (75%) or the Athletique Classique (82%). Despite the chunky gauge, the high cotton content breathes naturally, making the sock genuinely wearable across all seasons.

The occasion. Fine Rib is for dress shoes and formal contexts. Athletique Classique is for sneakers and crew-sock casual. The Relax is for boots, for cold weather, for any outfit where the chunky rib reads as the right level of texture and weight.

• Construction: Relax Heavy Rib Supermelange — DS3800
• Colours: Black · Off White — blended as supermelange yarn, producing a heathered dark grey
• Composition: 93% organic combed cotton · 6% polyamide · 1% elastane
• Gauge: 6–9 gauge chunky heavy-rib knit — large visible rib, naturally breathable
• Toe: Hand-linked — closed by hand, virtually seamless against the foot
• Certification: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 — every component tested
• Length: Crew — mid-calf, holds its shape at the upper calf
• Finish: Pre-washed and steamed — comfortable from the first wear
• Season: All year — naturally breathable organic cotton
• Sizes: EU 41–46 — size guide →
• Origin: Designed in Copenhagen, Est. 2011 · Crafted in Istanbul
• Sustainability: Our sustainability practices →

• Wash inside out at 30°C / 86°F
• Wash before first wear
• Air dry flat — do not tumble dry; the chunky gauge can lose shape under heat
• Wash with darks — the black element can transfer onto light fabrics; avoid washing with pure whites or pale colours
• Do not bleach or iron

Full sock care guide →

How does this compare to the Fine Rib Black solid — same colour, different sock?

Same black base, completely different construction and result. The Fine Rib Black is a 200-needle thin dress sock — flat solid black throughout, smooth, for leather shoes and formal contexts. The Relax Heavy Rib Black / Off White is a 6–9 gauge chunky sock — the black is blended with off-white into a heathered dark grey with visible texture, for boots and heavier footwear, with significant rib volume. One is the absolute formal neutral; the other is the dark textured foundation of the casual wardrobe.

Is this actually grey or is it black?

From a distance it reads as near-black — the black fibres dominate the blend. Up close and in direct light, the off-white cream fibres become clearly visible, giving the sock a heathered dark grey quality rather than a flat solid black. In low light or from a distance it functions as black; in direct light or at close range it reads as textured dark grey. This is what makes it more visually interesting than a solid black sock — and why it works in more outfit contexts.

How does this differ from the Ultralight Stripes Black / Off White dress sock?

Completely different construction and occasion. The Ultralight Stripes Black / Off White is a 200-needle fine-knit dress sock with alternating black and off-white stripes — thin, precise, formal-capable. The Relax Heavy Rib Black / Off White is a 6–9 gauge chunky sock where the same two colours are blended into a supermelange rather than striped — thick, textured, for boots and casual dressing. Same colour palette; categorically different socks.

How does the Relax differ from the Fine Rib and Athletique Classique?

Completely different construction, weight, and occasion. The Fine Rib (DS1006) is a 200-needle thin dress sock for leather shoes and formal contexts. The Athletique Classique (DS1528) is a 200-needle heavier crew sock for sneakers and casual visible-sock dressing. The Relax Heavy Rib (DS3800) is a 6–9 gauge chunky sock built for boots and the relaxed end of casual dressing — with 93% organic cotton providing natural breathability across all seasons.

Can women wear these socks?

Yes — the Relax Heavy Rib is unisex. EU 41–46 fits most men and larger women's sizes. The black / off-white heathered dark grey is one of the most universally wearable tones in the range across genders.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes — worldwide, with free shipping above 75€ / 75£ / 100 USD / 400 DKK. 99.2% of orders ship the same day. Full shipping information →

• Relax Supermelange — Light Grey Melange / Off White — the light neutral →
• Relax Supermelange — Navy / Off White →
• Relax Supermelange — Old Gold / Navy / Irr / Hot Chocolate / Off White →
• Relax Supermelange — Irr / Navy / Soft Charcoal / Pale Pink / Off White →
• Relax Supermelange — Red Wine / Forest Green / Pale Pink / Army / Off White →
• Full Relax collection →
• Fine Rib Black — the thin dress sock version →
• Ultralight Stripes Black / Off White — fine micro-stripe dress sock →