It's Time To Ditch Those Outdated Ankle Socks - Here's What To Wear Instead

If there's one thing millennials love, it's an ankle sock. The no-socks look was such a defining aesthetic of the later Y2K era and remained a favorite well into the 2010s, possibly because those born in the late '80s and '90s were sick of the bulky white socks pushed by icons like Princess Diana. But Gen Z has spoken, and they're having none of the ankle sock or its barely there counterparts. The good news is there are plenty of popular sock styles to experiment with in 2024 while you say goodbye to your ankles and no-shows (or at least, put them at the back of your sock drawer until the trend rises again).

"It's the year of the sock," senior Harrods stylist Evie Stother tells The Standard. "Socks are like the perfect wardrobe pick-me-up. They're very inexpensive ways to update your wardrobe when it's feeling quite stale and samey. You can just pair a red sock with the same shirt and skirt and loafer combo that you've been wearing for the past three months and suddenly it feels really new and fresh." Along with opting for red hosiery, crew and knee-length socks, and sheer fabrics are trends to look out for so you can stay ahead of the footwear department's cool crowd.

The humble crew sock has officially replaced the ankle sock in the eyes of Gen Z. The good news is the crew sock, which generally falls below the calf muscle but above the ankle, can be worn by both maximalists and minimalists, and doesn't require you to make a footwear statement the way knee-highs do. You can't go wrong with pretty much any footwear and white crew socks — and even mini or quarter-crews are acceptable — though pairing these with loafers will guarantee you nail any iteration of the academia fashion trend. 

Tights are no longer the invisible part of your outfit solely designed to keep you warm. This sheer hosiery was making waves with bright colors in several 2023/2024 designer collections, including Miu Miu's spring/summer and fall/winter lines. You can tone down this bold trend by opting for a muted saturated color, like mauve or plum, but otherwise, go all out with bright reds, greens, and purples. You won't always be able to get away with such brazen choices and still be considered chic, so strike while the iron's hot.

Beyond the soccer pitch, knee-high socks have to be worn with confidence if you're going to pull them off. But when done properly, this lengthy cut still makes for the ultimate high-fashion moment after first dominating runways in fall 2023. A simple block color will always be a safe bet, but stripes and other patterns are particularly prevalent on knee-high socks in 2024. If you're afraid of looking too sportsy, opt for a non-black stripe.

One hosiery trend that came through at Australian Fashion Week 2024 was the hint of red. Going for bold red socks requires a little planning to ensure you're either color-blocking correctly, going for a monochrome scarlet palette, or simply bringing to life muted blacks, whites, and grays. But the key here is to let the socks shine — red ankles or no-shows don't count, so make sure your socks are at least mini-crew or quarter length. Red tights are surprisingly hot if you style them well!

The classic sock and loafer combo is having a moment in 2024 — since it's the year of the sock, there are several variations to try out besides a simple white crew (although that will still win you style points). Sheer socks still align with the preppy aesthetic that loafers create, while offering you a transitional style that can dress up any look. Again, anything higher than ankle length is fair game, whether you want to go old-school with sheer stockings or keep it modern with see-through knee-highs.