How to up your socks game – and the five key styles to try

From glitter to bright colours, hosiery can elevate everyday (and party) looks

The Birkin bag can take a break. Designer logo belts? Put them to the back of your wardrobe. Right now, the It accessory to flaunt is the humble sock. The foot-warming, blister-abating accessory has risen to style-hero status and if you want to elevate an outfit, paying more than a moment’s attention to your choice of sock is essential.
The head of editorial content at British Vogue, Chioma Nnadi, has been noted for her considered shoe-and-sock combos during fashion month, while former Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman recently admitted she was “tempted” by a pair of £45 socks, believing the elevation to “status symbol” is due to the fact that house guests are now more regularly asked to remove their shoes.
Apart from more opportunities to show off our socks when visiting friends, why are socks having such a moment? Net-a-Porter has noted a phenomenon called “the casualisation of fashion” as part of a trend it has dubbed “extraordinary everyday”. As our style becomes more dressed down, with fewer opportunities to dress up, our socks have become the easiest way to flash our fashion credentials and add a little something extra to seemingly simple outfits.
You can’t scroll Instagram without noting the prevalence of the trend for “a pop of red”, most frequently played out through the medium of the sock, and Asos currently has 232 sock options online, from the basic to the be-ribboned and be-jewelled. Compared with the Gucci lurex GG-logo socks currently retailing on Matchesfashion for £195, Shulman’s £45 “temptation” would have been a snip.
While you may dismiss the sock’s resurgence, you can guarantee that the best-dressed people will always obsess over such small details, however insouciantly slung-together their outfit may appear. When the width of a lapel and the fold of a cuff can change the entire vibe of your look, socks are something that deserve more than a fleeting thought. 
Stylist and author Zeena Shah is renowned for her colourful wardrobe and understands the power of the sock. “Socks are so easily neglected when putting an outfit together, yet they’re the part you can really have fun with and express your personality. I often suggest starting from the bottom up when thinking about your style and how to inject some colour into an outfit.”
A post shared by Zeena Shah (@heartzeena)
If you’re not ready to wear a rainbow, black socks can still have an impact. Julia Hobbs, Vogue’s acting European fashion features director, eschews brights for sheer black socks, which look incredibly chic worn with point-toe heels. “They’re a super-easy way to add a hint of transparency to your look where an opaque tight would feel too heavy or monochromatic. The secret is to fold the cuff over by about two inches to create a neat, cinching finish.” Noted.
Until we are bestowed with bare-ankle weather, glancing down and catching a glimpse of a pop of colour or a shimmer of sock is a great way to boost your mood. “It’s time to lean into the power of colour, and a dopamine dose from our daily dressing rituals is no bad thing,” Shah argues.
There is a plethora of sock options to choose from, depending on your own sartorial leanings, but these are the top five sock trends to consider this season… Novelty socks are not invited.
Once fashion anathema, sheer black knee-high pop socks are having a catwalk moment. They gave edge to the ladylike silhouettes at Emilia Wickstead and Huishan Zhang’s collections at London Fashion Week. Wolford are a perennial fashion-pack favourite, but Hobbs stocks up at Sainsbury’s. “I have boxes of them, and usually carry a spare set in my handbag.” The key is to show them off with dresses and heels, rather than keeping them under wraps, for a subversive mood.
15 denier knee-highs, £4.50, Tu at Sainsbury’s; 10 denier knee-highs, £25, Wolford; 20 denier knee-highs, £2.50, Calzedonia 
The first port of call for many stylists looking for interesting socks is & Other Stories. Whether lurex, sweet motifs, sheer panels or stripes, if you want to dip your toe into the trend, you’ll find plenty of options here. Malin Sone, the head of design at & Other Stories, has noticed that customers are keen to raise their sock game: “We have seen an increased interest in socks and have added extra designs, including details such as pearl and rhinestone embellishments, cute hearts and tie-dye patterns.”
Checked socks, £10, Cos; pearl embellished socks, £11, & Other Stories 
Bow ankle socks, £7 for two pairs, Asos 
You will surely have seen this style of statement sock skulking around the Waitrose car park. Always worn pulled up over black Lululemon leggings, they’re never far from a green juice. While the aspiration of being a lady that lunches is being usurped by being a lady with time for daily Pilates, the uniform of choice includes chunky white logo sports socks. Branding is everything and Adanola is the label of choice.
Organic cotton blend socks, £8.99, Adanola; active socks, £18, Varley; sports socks, £16, Hush 
Scarlet has been winter’s favourite shade and red socks are the perfect foil for a pair of Adidas Samba sneakers. But what if you’re not a trainer fan? Editor Alex Stedman has a solution: “Colourful socks bring to life a basic loafer and fill in that space between an awkward trouser length and a shoe. I find a thin rib the easiest to wear with smarter shoes.” Oxblood is set to replace bright red as the go-to shade. “I particularly love collegiate colours – green, red, burgundy – as they tend to go with most things,” Stedman advises.
Ribbed socks, £3.90, Uniqlo; organic cotton blend socks, £18.99, Genevieve Sweeney
Cushioned socks (five pack), £14, Marks & Spencer 
Tweedy, nubbly styles twinned with Tricker’s brogues or peeking out from the top of Le Chameau wellies… just because these socks are more weekend-appropriate doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a fashion moment. Hannah Rochell, the founder of the fashion blog Slowette, admits: “I know it’s not for everyone, but I love to style my socks with sandals and mules. If you’re going to have this much sock on show though, it’s important to go for quality.” Chunky ribs, cashmere mixes, tonal stripes and natural tones are essential elements. “Remember to choose a cropped trouser or turn up your jeans so you can show them off properly,” prompts Rochell.
Cashmere Fair Isle, £39.50, Pantherella; alpaca socks, £15.99, Pairs Scotland; ribbed cotton, £22, Rock and Ruby