It’s not quite sandal season yet; in fact, it barely feels like ankle-baring season, but tights feel amiss. If you’re ready to embrace some spring-ready shoe styles but still want to stay warm, it might be time to reconsider socks.
It sounds like an obvious suggestion – most of us wear socks every day – but this isn’t any old sock. Mismatched, holy, threadbare pairs need not apply; this is more a fashion sock that requires careful styling and is altogether more fancy in colour and material.
No longer an afterthought, socks have become a considered accessory that can finish off an outfit, and a common styling trick used across the runways.
Aoife O’Doherty, stylist and personal shopper, says, “I love how a sock can instantly elevate a look. Paired with heels or loafers and styled with a skirt, dress or tailored culottes, it becomes a subtle but impactful detail. Once purely practical, socks are now a playful styling tool – adding texture, contrast and personality.”
On the catwalks of Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Maison Margiela and Dries van Noten, socks were either colour-coordinated with outfits, adding to a monochromatic look, or added texture through sheer styles. The message is clear: socks aren’t meant to be hidden, but to be on show and styled. And if not, you’re showing your age.
A playful style debate on social media between Gen Z and millennials has put sock visibility to the forefront. While millennials once leaned into the clean-line, no-show sock/shoe liner style, Gen Z are eschewing the previous generation’s penchant for that sock style and embracing the crew style, which is pulled up, fully on show and styled as part of your outfit.
But for Aoife Cogan of Form School Apparel, the rise of socks as a styling piece has been apparent for years. She points to the popularity of athleisure as the turning point.
“For me, it became noticeable with the rise of athleisure when leggings, basics and trainers became everyday dressing, and the sock was suddenly on show. The classic crew sock became part of the overall look rather than something that was hidden,” says Cogan.
“Since then, socks have really become a true styling accessory, with a lot more focus on colour, texture and quality,” she adds. So much so, that Cogan has pivoted her own offering, expanding from performance Pilates socks into fashion socks too. “Our grip socks were born from Reformer Pilates, designed for style and performance. From there, it felt natural to expand into everyday and luxury socks that blend comfort with style.”
When you go fashion sock shopping, what should you be looking for? Think fine-ribbed textures, sheer finishes or cottons in fun colour ways if you want a pop. Prints are popular too – polka dot or stripe will add personality to a look. Length is important too – remember they should be intentionally on show so above the ankle, and if they feel a little long, scrunch down for a more louche vibe.
When it comes to shoes, a more neutral tone sock, such as grey, burgundy or black, with a smart loafer is a nice accent. Ballet flats and Mary Janes are ideal for sock pairing, but might feel a bit cutesy; counteract that by keeping it to more sombre shades.
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Ease yourself slowly into the sock-styling world by simply co-ordinating your sock with your shoe, then it doesn’t look like a statement, and you can get a feel for it first. A flash of a bright shade at the ankle with a saturated red or blue sock punctuates a look, adding a graphic edge.
Now you’ve invested in the fashion sock and styled it like the style set, how do you avoid losing one in the black hole of the washing machine? Try washing them in a mesh laundry bag to avoid the disappearing act, or use sock clips to keep pairs together. If you don’t have a mesh bag, try a pillow case, knotted. Avoid washing at a high temperature as this can damage elasticity, and we don’t want sloppy socks, so keep it to a cooler wash for colour and shape.
