Statement Socks: The Easy-to-Pull-On Trend That Just Won’t Quit

At the (calculated) risk of boring your safe little black and white socks off, allow us to reiterate: statement socks make every outfit better. Don’t believe us? Look around you. They’re everywhere. Rihanna’s feet. Kendall Jenner’s feet. Leandra Medine’s feet. Nearly every major Resort 2018 runway.

Fun fact: Sarah Rutson, former vice president of global buying at Net-a-Porter and current American fashion empire builder at Dutch LLC, recently told Vogue that Vetements’ logo-stamped athletic tube socks are among the site’s hottest items. Admittedly, this may have something to do with the fact that nothing else the It brand makes is even remotely affordable. That’s the beauty of statement socks, though — even when they’re designer as designer can get, they’re still relatively cheap.

Prada Resort 2018, Gucci Cruise 2018, Valentino Resort 2018; Images: Pietro D’Aprano/Getty Images, ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images

We digress. Let’s get back to those leisure travel-themed runways and the various sock styling tips they offered. At Prada’s first-ever resort show, ultra feminine, scalloped and feather-hemmed skirts came paired with knee-high soccer socks and heels. Gucci’s controversy-stirring cruise outing featured tons of glittery GG logo-printed socks. All were pulled high, some worn over equally flamboyant tights, some with metallic pumps, others with the brand’s coveted loafers. Valentino’s models slid on delicate striped socks beneath their T-strap sandals (a fun summer look, to be sure, but we’ve no idea how they kept their traction).

Thom Browne Resort 2018, Bottega Veneta Resort 2018, Antonio Marras Resort 2018; Images: Courtesy

At Bottega Veneta, Tomas Maier played with texture, pairing cashmere coats and jackets and suede skirt suits with vertical stripe silk socks (pulled almost too high) and chunky-heeled shoes. Antonio Marras, ever the maximalist, polished off his Southern belle-inspired looks with anachronistic striped socks and, again, chunky statement heels in pastel hues to match the quirky knits.

Thom Browne pepped up his tennis-obsessed Resort 2018 line with bright, rainbow-striped socks. (They complemented the Madras plaid-heavy outfits nicely.) Here’s a thought (courtesy of Browne): Rather than wear your precious knits with sandals and risk dirtying them on city streets, spring for a pair of transparent sneakers, oxfords or boots — maximum sock exposure, minimum stress/clean up. After all, when you’re spending more than $5 on one pair of socks, the more people see of them, the better. On a related note, traction and dirt be damned, cute calf-length socks help summer shoes stay relevant well into fall.

Thom Browne Resort 2018; Image: Courtesy

Fashion’s wise and nutty professor also made a case for the mismatched sock look. We recommend you go all in and rock mismatched socks with mismatched shoes. Trust us, no one will think you got dressed in the dark.

In sum:

1. The statement sock trend is going nowhere.

2. Those of the striped variety are especially in.

3. Contrast girly looks with sporty socks.

4. Heavy fabrics call for delicate hosiery.

5. Wear your socks and hems high and, when possible, with see-through or high-exposure shoes.

6. Amp up your sock drawer game by shopping the gallery below.