Il Regalo × outBespoken Collaboration

Kyoto, where Japan’s refined sense of beauty still quietly lives on. The townhouses with their white plaster walls and deep brown cedar boards evoke a serene charm unique to this ancient capital.
 Against this historic backdrop, Sando | outBespoken, a creator from Norway, shares his classic Neapolitan-inspired style on Instagram.
His style offers endless inspiration. It is deeply rooted in classic tailoring, yet unmistakably personal. The way he chooses colours, combines fabrics, and incorporates accessories all reflect a distinct aesthetic that feels natural and effortless. 
His pairings of shirts, ties, pocket squares, socks, and shoes are never “safe,” but subtly unexpected. There’s something about this refined playfulness that reminds me of the Japanese sense of "iki"―a quiet sophistication that values balance and understatement.
 Elegant yet playful, his approach resonates with our belief that socks, too, can serve as expressive accessories within a coordinated look. From that shared philosophy, this collaboration was born.

Now, let us introduce the four designs created for the Il Regalo × outBespoken collaboration.
(All styling and photography by outBespoken.)

Herringbone Over-the-Calf Socks

A herringbone design that pairs a burgundy base with a touch of muted pink. At first glance, the colour combination feels bold, yet it harmonises beautifully when balanced with stronger hues in a tie or pocket square. A playful pair that bridges the tones between a brown suit and burgundy tassel loafers.
 Socks are an accessory that reveals itself only subtly―when you cross your legs, for example―making them the perfect piece for a touch of creative experimentation.

The glimpse of socks when you cross your legs can be an important part of your style.

A brown suit with a touch of pink. When balanced with a tie or pocket square, it creates an unexpectedly fresh impression.

The pink in the pocket square subtly echoes the colour of the socks.

 Snow Paisley Over-the-Calf Socks

The paisley motif is one that holds personal meaning for me. I first introduced this design several years ago and have since released it in a variety of colourways. Among them, the version named “SNOW,” inspired by the soft whiteness of snow, feels particularly special.
 Keeping the white base as it is, we reimagined the pattern in pink, beige, and burgundy―colours that reflect outBespoken’s sensibility. When Sando first suggested combining white and pink, I was honestly surprised; it felt daring for a men’s accessory. Yet the result is elegant, warm, and truly distinctive.

The matte texture of “Snow” (off-white) and its gentle pink accents evoke a quietly refined mood.

The pocket square is only slightly visible when placed in the pocket. Even so, it is an important detail.

A fine wool double-breasted suit deserves to be paired with equally fine wool socks.

Heritage Damask Over-the-Calf Socks

I still clearly remember designing this pattern a few years ago. Although I had a strong visual concept from the start, turning it into a comfortable sock was not an easy process. We made numerous prototypes to ensure the design retained both its visual depth and the stretch and comfort required for everyday wear.
 The result became one of our signature autumn and winter designs. For this collaboration, we reinterpreted it in outBespoken’s signature deep brown―a versatile tone that complements his refined brown styling.

A brown-toned ensemble with beautifully subtle variations.

A houndstooth jacket in gentle beige tones. The luxurious texture of cashmere enhances the entire look.

A tonal harmony of beige and dark brown, quietly blending into the serene streets of Kyoto.

Hound's tooth Over-the-Calf Socks

To align with outBespoken’s vision of the ideal houndstooth pattern, we slightly enlarged the scale of the motif. Houndstooth is a classic in men’s socks, but we sought to develop our own direction.
 By using wool instead of the more typical cotton, the texture gained a soft warmth and depth of colour that feels perfectly suited for autumn and winter wardrobes. The subtle melange tones pair beautifully not only with brown tones but also with shades of grey, making this a truly versatile design.

A slightly enlarged houndstooth pattern lends a sense of refined casual elegance.

Though hidden beneath a jacket, braces add a discreet touch of elegance.

Blue-toned accessories create a bridge between the brown and grey elements of the outfit.

The Role of Accessories

Finally,
outBespoken regularly posts photos on Instagram featuring his accessories―ties, pocket squares, braces, and socks―arranged together as part of his styling.
 These images are particularly fascinating to me. While his full outfit photos are, of course, stunning, these detail shots reveal the essential role that accessories play in completing a look.
 A small change in detail can completely transform the impression of an outfit. It’s in those subtle differences that the joy of dressing―and the endless potential for new ideas―truly resides.

Despite the strong contrast, harmony emerges through the subtle alignment of hues.

An idea unified by shades of pink and coral. The soft off-white base of the pocket square and socks gently highlights the light tone of the suit.

Beautiful brown tones that evoke a somber winter mood. The texture of wool adds depth and warmth to the look.

A harmony of brown and blue. Though nearly complementary, each color enhances the other’s beauty.

This collaboration embodies our appreciation for elegance with a touch of playfulness. We hope these socks add a quiet confidence and a bit of joy to your everyday style.

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Author: Il Regalo Designer | Junko Okabe Baldesari

Graduated from Tama Art University with a degree in Textile Design. After nine years as an in-house designer at a major apparel company, became independent and began designing knitwear, including socks.
Serving as the designer for Il Regalo since 2016.
Creates unique socks inspired by the artistic heritage of her husband’s home country, Italy, combining Italian aesthetics with the precision and craftsmanship of Japan.