9 Must-Follow Fashion Rules for Wearing Socks
“Don’t mix navy and black.” “No white after Labor Day.” There are so many rules when it comes to fashion. Some of them can be broken, but when it comes to socks, you should always follow these eight rules to make sure you look your best!
Black Socks With Sneakers
Unless you’re actively trying to channel “suburban dad on a vacation he didn’t want to go to,” it is time to burn the long black socks. Wearing high-calf black socks with casual sneakers (or heaven forbid…sandals) and shorts is a certified fashion crime. Black socks belong in the corporate boardroom or paired with sharp dress shoes for a formal night out—they are inherently upscale.
Dragging them down into the casual trenches of gym shoes and cargo shorts creates a jarring, dorky mismatch that screams “I got dressed in the dark.” If your legs are out and your footwear is casual, stick to white, grey, or a playful pop of color. Let your dress socks live their best, fancy lives under actual pants. Black no-show socks…we can overlook those. They are no-shows, after all, and don’t peek up above your shoes very much.
Invest In Dress Socks
Many people make the mistake of just throwing on their regular, cotton athletic socks with their dress shoes for nice occasions. Dress socks are made for a reason. They’re sleeker, higher quality, and will make your shoes feel less cramped. Athletic socks will also bunch up at the ankle because they’re made of thicker material, so you’ll be constantly adjusting them.
Avoid Socks and Sandals
I don’t care what the fashion industry is trying to push: Socks and sandals (Birkenstocks in particular) are NOT in. Wearing this ridiculous trend makes you look like your creepy uncle who always wears cargo shorts and has a PBR in his hand. Birkenstocks are not cool. Socks with Birkenstocks (or any other sandal) are even less cool. Got it?
Rocks Socks With Heels
While pairing socks and flat sandals is a huge fashion faux pas, some people can make elegant socks and heels work. 3- to 4-inch pumps work best for this look, especially in solid colors, like black or red. When pairing socks with heels, look for a knee-high pair or a mid-calf pair that is either solid or has a subtle pattern and is made of a dressier material. If in doubt, choose tights instead.
Wear Colorful Socks Sparingly
Bright, patterned socks can really add some excitement to an outfit, but you need to consider your environment before wearing rainbow-striped socks with your suit. Funeral? Probably not a good idea. Meeting with some fellow creatives at a local coffee shop? Go for it. Make wearing these socks a special occasion and try to not overdo it, otherwise you completely lose the electrifying effect.
Coordinate Socks With Pants
The outdated rule was that you should coordinate your socks with your shoes, but it’s actually a lot more helpful to coordinate your socks with your pants. When you sit down, your socks will be exposed, and matching socks will make your entire outfit look put together. If you can’t match the colors exactly, you can’t go wrong with a darker shade or simple black. Feel free to wear more playful patterns if you’ll be wearing boots or other concealing shoes!
Don't Roll or Fold
Folding your socks is terrible and childish, and rolling them down is even worse. If you feel the need to do this with your socks, just go out and buy shorter socks! They’re not expensive, and they will look 10 times better. The only exception is if you are wearing thick boot socks with booties, in which case you can scrunch them down to make them shorter.
Tucking Pants Into Socks
Unless you are actively battling the elements on a rugged trail, there is absolutely no excuse for tucking your pants into your socks. Sure, if you’re hiking through the dense brush and trying to protect yourself from Lyme disease-carrying ticks, go ahead—survival trumps style every single time. But out in civilization? Stuffing jeans into a pair of white tube socks is an immediate, non-bailable offense that lands you straight in fashion jail. It completely ruins the silhouette of your clothes, creates a bizarre, ballooning fabric effect around your shins, and screams “toddler ready for a rainy day” rather than “functional adult.”
Replenish Your Collection Biannually
Unless you are buying designer socks, chances are that your socks aren’t constructed out of the highest quality material. If you wear them regularly, your socks will start to wear out within a year. You don’t have to replace the entire collection, but at least buy some new pairs every other year so you’ll always have hole-free socks.
