Could Your Socks Be Ageing You? Stylist Reveals Which Pairs to Ditch
What was once seen as a fashion mistake has become a bold trend, with many style icons embracing visible socks. London-based Lily Allen, for example, wore mesh socks in photos for her new album, highlighting this shift in sock fashion.
Socks have become a generational marker. According to Gen Z, socks shorter than mid-calf are considered outdated and "old-fashioned," a shock to those who last wore knee-highs decades ago. Invisible socks, which go unseen under trainers or loafers, were the standard for years, but now hosiery is meant to be visible to avoid looking outdated.
Myleene Klass, 47, is known for defying age by wearing sports socks pulled up high on her calves. However, this style may not suit everyday settings like the school run. Similarly, wearing knee-high socks with a skirt, as seen on 60-year-old Sarah Jessica Parker, could draw teasing remarks at work, reminding colleagues of school uniforms.
Luxury stylist Angela Kyle said, "Younger people see visible socks as uncool, while many over 40 find them indispensable, functional and pretty much a wardrobe basic. The invisible sock has always been a hallmark of polish and subtlety."
Visible socks reveal much about personal style and age perception, with clear divides in how different generations view this small but significant accessory.
Author's Summary: Visible socks symbolize generational style divides, with younger people favoring subtlety and older generations embracing functional visibility in sock fashion.