What’s the deal with socks now?

[DC555]

I’m your standard mid 30s millennial. I wouldn’t consider myself ‘fashionable’ but I like clothes and enjoy looking well put together in any given situation.

As spring arrives, we’re about to hit the yearly moment when I move from boots worn with everything, to white trainers worn with everything - usually fairly plain, slim, low rise lace ups.

I’ve finally got my head around jeans (I still love my skinnies but am embracing wide leg, barrel and boyfriend) but I’ve heard trainer socks are now the height of uncool??

So what DOES look acceptable when your trousers/dress leave your ankle exposed?

I am tall with big feet so things that look cute on dainty feet make me look like a clown, so I fear the wrong socks will add to this issue.

Photos and links of acceptable socks greatly appreciated!

It is! And I embrace it wholeheartedly! I will never be a slave to what teenagers deem is the next fashion. Their choices are based on being skint and having to make do with what they have. Can’t afford to buy a white bra? Wear a black one under your school shirt! Bam it’s suddenly a trend and 50 year olds are tearing themselves in knots trying to look the part. I’ve earned the right to be grossly unfashionable.

I dont care if it's not fashionable, there's no way im wearing full socks with trainers. Liners all the way and fake tanned feet.

But its only GenZ who will think you look cool, and all the amazing millennials+ (more people) will think you look silly 😜 Why is it more important that GenZ approve? Maybe we are right! At one point we as the younguns thought skirts with trousers looked good. We were wrong!

You think GenZ will find a 50 year old following their fashion trends cool? I think they won’t pay attention so dress how you like.

Good point. Even they won't think you look cool! Do the right thing and stick with the trainer socks and rock an outfit you genuinely believe looks good.

I wear longer socks in the gym. I just can’t keep trainer liners on my feet. So I bought longer white ones and wear them over my leggings. It’s been a game changer, no more having to undue my trainers mid way through a class and yank my socks back on.
I don’t wear leggings other than to exercise.
My jeans are flared so socks are not an issue plus I wear long trousers in winter so again, my ankles are never on display.
When it gets hot, and I’m wearing trainers I suppose I’ll revert back to trainer socks, although I’m not sure.
As for tights, I wear either black opaque ones or thin nude ones.

I wear thick wool socks in the winter and in the summer I take out my insole and wrap a trainer sock around it and then wear my trainers with no socks except the one around the insole. Stops my shoes smelling and means my feet don't feel like they can't breathe.

So I think I am old by the new sock standards.

My DD who is 18 and insanely stylish wouldn't be seen dead in a visible sock. We only wear the foot liners here, no sock should ever be visible over a shoe!!!

I really disagree with this. It depends on the tights. M&S “American Tan”: no. Falke Shelina, which are basically invisible but make your legs look better: yes. I keep reading that it must be bare legs but looking at the bare legs of most British women at this time of year (including my own), I wouldn’t be going out with bare legs.

If you have time to do it, then the Vita Liberata instant tan thing is good for legs but it’s a faff to put on and frankly, a decent pair of nude tights does a better job.

They are the thing now.

I'm a millennial and while I did trainer socks I always thought they were stupid and uncomfortable. I'm very happy to go back to normal socks with the gen z's!

I think your white trainers are out though...

This! I can't wear socks with barrell etc jeans I would look ridiculous. The only way I can wear this type of jean is with ankles showing.

I'm in my 40s and not fashionable but I still tend to avoid visible socks for fear of looking like a comic book nerd or a school girl. I tend to wear longer length trousers with socks that either match to colour of the trousers or match the shoes I'm wearing to be discreet. If I wear cropped trousers in summer I don't wear socks at all.

Don’t they ladder though? I’ll admit I sometimes wear nude tights, but if I wore 5 denier I’d have to replace them every time, which would be expensive as well as unfashionable!

Dear God those are hideous. I'm officially old.

Have a look at Calzedonia. I love their short cotton socks.
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwiklO3fi9GTAxXQgFAGHZzmD00YACICCAEQIBoCZGc&co=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwp7jOBhDGARIsABe7C4dY_akgPQYdA_-Kdwkp0QuyDioIdBYFVrUmUksmOKmfwyBoUUYCMIUaAhHPEALw_wcB&sph&cce=1&sig=AOD64_0r0aLSsFQcXLuWYBDXhcPdBqnLJw&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwiO7-ffi9GTAxXeQEEAHa_kFDcQ0Qx6BAgMEAE

Now I’m even more confused about tights! Work dresses but not super smart and shoes (which I don’t find comfy without something on my feet), to earn for opaque tights so what do I wear?

I’m pleased socks are allowed to be seen again. Jean length puzzles me - they seem to be rolled up a bit to show the ankle (and sock) or dragging on the floor.

I must be well behind the times as I wear opaque tights in winter. Often coloured, and the nude/ light tan sher tights in summer (with work clothes anyway). Feels wrong not wearing tights to work. Around now is the time of year I put the opaque away and get the sheers out! Loads in the shops so I can't be the only one.

I am probably older than you.
We were trained - for many years - that having socks showing/pulled up was naff. As in what old people did.
One thing I do notice is that it draws the eye away from the ankle to the calf, possibly one of the most unflattering looks.
Also, it feels like it dials down attractiveness - it is sort of unisex.
However, those trainer socks were an absolute pain.
And the gap between trainers and anything else especially on a cold day is awful so having socks is practical. So I think since lockdown women are voting for that.
When you look at how young women (in fact women of any age!) use to totter around wearing platforms and skinny jeans for everyday wear - it looks ancient. The sort of 2011 look.
I noticed Stacey Solomon on Sort Your Life Out this week - which I love - she had shorts on, trainers and socks to her calves and it just looked dumpy. And she has great legs.
What am I saying? If you are young you can get away with it.
Bit I’m thinking when I do it, well can you imagine Pat Butcher in trainers and socks? That.

Blimey!! I assumed trainer socks were ok! I love mine. Thanks for the fashion heads-up x

I’m mid 30s and I’m happy socks are back in! I have big feet as well and found these ones look nice, they show enough sock but aren’t too long. They come just over the ankle

You can buy nude opaque tights, I’ve got some.

I sometimes wear these and bought these for a relative in her 30s for her birthday, she loved them as she’s a fashionista:—

https://www.lifestoryshop.com/products/boyfriend-socks-le-bon-shoppe?variant=46226535678202&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pmax&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21438381092&gbraid=0AAAAA9usmbhkaEx5Pb-_LKTGz7mQ5_auV&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyr3OBhD0ARIsALlo-Om7pquj_5WSiRvx-Ex4G29fWBE184YZdRWkOuez6M9ZQbJRq4I5z1IaAl2xEALw_wcB

Crew socks are in now OP.

This is why I make a point of never paying any attention whatsoever to fashion. I remember when people first got the idea into their heads that visible socks were somehow shameful, and uncomfortable feet and cold ankles somehow better. I didn't take any notice then and I don't need to take any notice now that they are all changing their minds because the Fashion Overlords tell them to.

That was my plan. I’m a teacher so the Easter break seems the right time to make the change and put the winter clothes (plus warm tights) into the under bed storage.

Off to look for pale nude tights that won’t ladder when someone looks at them funny.