Largely considered a fashion faux pas back in the day, white socks with shoes are back and have been for a while! For those of you who remember the shame of running out of dark socks for school and having to resort to your white towelling PE socks, this style step feels uncomfortable, so let us allay your rule-breaking fears.
Designers and celebrities alike have been embracing the white sock and are styling them with both casual and more formal outfits as we hark back to the vintage post-war collegiate days where white socks and loafers ruled.
White socks are now considered a stylish and versatile option, having recently undergone a fashion renaissance where they are no longer seen as a fashion disaster, and can be incorporated into both casual and more dressed-up looks depending on how they are styled.
The most obvious way to wear white socks is with a pair of unfussy white trainers or sneakers. This is an enduring classic straight-off-the-tennis-court sporty vibe, especially when worn with shorts. Jeans and chinos work too. You cannot go wrong with clean sneaks and pristine ankle length socks, but what other shoes work with white socks?
Shoes that work with white socks
Loafers
This takes us straight back to that Ivy League preppy era and works for both men and women. The ultimate choice would be a classic penny loafer, but a tasselled or horsebit loafer will also fit the bill. Wear with chinos and polo shirt, with a sweater thrown over your shoulders or a sports jacket, to re-create that 1950s aura.
If you are going more casual with jeans or looser trousers, then can we suggest a roll-up for your trouser leg to really give those white socks some airtime above your loafers?
Black loafers with white socks will draw attention to your ankles. Think Michael Jackson’s dancing feet in their prime. This look has developed a timeless quality and is now considered uber chic.
Our shoe-loving friends at Wildsmith are great aficionados of the loafer and white sock style. As the original English ‘house shoe’ manufacturers, they should know what they are talking about. Take a look below.
Deck shoes
Another slip-on but less formal. This style is very à la Paul Newman, which cannot be a bad thing! The man was an icon. If he rubber-stamped white socks with deck shoes, then we’re in! We have plenty of deck shoe styles to choose from with both chunky and more slim-line soles.
Sneakers and trainers
We are talking about the super-smart versions here not what you would wear for a run or on the squash court. The less adornment the better, so look for all-white styles, such as the Strike II or the Amalfi. I have seen this sneaker/white-sock style worn on the Continent with a sharp suit and white shirt…and it worked!
Black and white shoes
We would steer away from wearing white socks with classic spectator or correspondent shoes and instead opt for black or match your socks with your trousers, but a black and white loafer and white socks would fulfil the preppy brief with a twist. Dare I say, there is a nod to the skater with this look.
The versatility of white socks with shoes
White goes with anything! You can team them with black, brown…or any other colour shoes without giving them a second thought. A white sock provides a great contrast between your shoes and trousers. More importantly, you will not be publicly shunned. Listen to me carefully…white socks are OK.
Shop shoes to wear with white socks
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