If you’re a millennial on TikTok, you’ve likely been mocked by Gen Z for wearing everything from ankle socks to to-the-ankle socks. These, according to the younger generation, are major style faux pas. It never occurred to me that a sock could reveal my 90s birth year, but apparently, no-show socks are a dead giveaway. Now, it’s all about the scrunched sock. If you want to wear sneakers in the summer, cover up those ankles – a mid-calf sock with shorts or a skirt is the epitome of cool! I’m left wondering: How did this happen? In a way, I understand. No-show socks evoke the 2010s, when men routinely paired dress loafers with no socks – the pant hems rolled up, of course. Fashion has evolved since then, and so should sock styling. But how did the athletic crew sock become the go-to pairing for shorts? I asked my Gen Z co-workers for their insights.
“I’ve always found ankle socks that show deeply unchic – something about them looks unintentional and sloppy,” says fashion writer Hannah Jackson. Associate content manager Florence O’Connor takes it a step further: “Not only are ankle socks unattractive – I do not need to see your knobbly ankles at the gym, I’m already sad enough to be there – they constantly fall down, making you vulnerable to otherwise very avoidable blisters! Crew socks or bust.” Clearly, the crew sock’s popularity has evolved for both aesthetic and practical reasons. (They are, undoubtedly, comfier than ankle socks, as O’Connor pointed out.)
Gen Z preferences aside, a wave of stylish celebrities have also embraced the new sock trend. This summer, a snazzy dress shoe and white crew sock has become the uniform for stars like Emma Corrin, Paul Mescal, and Justin Bieber. Paired with a chic ruched skirt (Corrin) or micro boxer shorts (Mescal), the addition of a little white sock—with a lot of leg showing—is like an extra layer of sophistication for your outfit. It somehow makes the whole look dressier; cleaner, even. Still, the proportions of the white sock matter. Some stars—like Jodie Turner-Smith—have chosen elongated styles that hit just below the knee; others, like Harry Styles, have rocked rolled-down socks hitting mid-calf while biking. The key takeaway: The sock is always an integral part of the outfit.
And while I typically don’t care much for trends, I have to admit: Gen Z is right on this one. It does look better when you embrace the sock, rather than trying to hide it. So stock up on some classic white styles – especially if you want to impress your younger relatives!
