Well, I'm a little bit embarrassed. I just went upstairs and counted.

182 pairs of socks and two half-pairs still trying to find their mates.

Now, granted, they have different purposes.

22 are purely running socks, and they get used heavily. I'll have to replace them in the foreseeable future.
30 are purely dress socks for use with suits, and I never wear suits any more. I dip into this drawer perhaps 4 or 5 times a year.
130 are everyday socks ranging from casual to "wearing somewhat dressy pants".

I may never need to buy a pair of socks again other than running socks.

If this thread doesn't pull Simply Red back in, I don't know what will.

Holy shit.

6 black

12 white

My method is as follows:

When folding socks out of the dryer, I observe the toe and heel area for wear. If I see wear in said areas, the offending sock is discarded. Eventually, you end up with less pairs, and it is time to go purchase another pack.

You have the exact opposite configuration as me. Weird.

That's a problem. You need to seek a 12-step group, 'Man.

I think my problem is not so much acquiring socks, but divesting them. I hate throwing away socks. I'll only divest dress socks if they have a worn spot that can be seen above the shoe, and I'll only divest casual socks if there's an actual hole.

I'm a project manager and wearing boots most of the time.

Ergo, more whites.

Exactly! I still have some Champions that are 20 years old that are still going strong. On the other hand most of the garbage that is made today only lasts a fraction of that time.

One of the greatest simple pleasures is putting a new pair of socks on your feet. I would wear a new pair every day if I was a rich man......

You're short-changing yourself, friend.

I'm here to tell you that one of the greatest small pleasures in life is putting on a fresh pair of socks. Your feet say "I love you" all day long.

Also, with your surplus, the local homeless shelter could use such a stash.

But let me propose this. The lifetime cost is the same whether you have many pairs of socks or a few pairs of socks. We all wear them once per day, so over the course of our lives we'll spend the same amount on socks (assuming that we don't leave a bunch behind when we die). With my method, I wear my socks very infrequently and have a lot of wardrobe variety. Therefore, I derive a fashion advantage at no extra cost.

RIGHT?!?!?!?

You should update the OP with accurate numbers and math.

Hey! I'm a PM too. No boots though, unless you count ankle tops.