Sure, we all know how to style socks; most of us do it every day. But often, the result is, well, sauceless. When you’re in the habit of throwing on the closest pair of crew socks and rushing out the door in the morning (no judgment), your outfit might lack the indescribable polish of a street-style influencer’s. So to help you make the most of your top drawer—and almost imperceptibly improve your personal style—we’re sharing our favorite sock-styling tips and tricks. From eye-catching colors to unexpected pairings like ballet flats and high heels, here’s how to style socks in seven fresh, exciting ways.
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1. Tube socks with sneakers
We can almost feel you rolling your eyes: socks with sneakers? Groundbreaking. But there’s a reason the outfit above looks so polished, where many similar ones don’t. The key is nailing a high-low mix that elevates everyday staples with smart details. Trendy slim sneakers in an eye-catching color, a lace-trimmed skirt, and a fitted base layer all do wonders to turn the humble tube sock into a genuine statement piece. Give your socks a scrunch before you leave, and you’re good to go.
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2. Crew socks with ballet flats
We’ll be talking a lot about high-low styling in this story, and here’s another great example. A luxe cardigan, a textured miniskirt, and Mary Jane flats nail the French-girl look. And yet this outfit wouldn’t be as noteworthy without those cheeky, schoolgirl-esque crew socks, which make everything look effortless rather than calculated. Throw on a black shoulder bag and leave your hair messy to keep things Parisian.
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3. Scrunched socks with loafers
Don’t style your loafers with no-show or ankle socks in 2026. Instead, the look this year is a Hailey Bieber-coded combination of crew socks, loafers, and bare legs, which helps to remove some of the formality the flats carry. Nod to their preppy heritage with a button-down shirt, which you can leave untucked over denim shorts or half-tucked into a midiskirt. The most important detail here is scrunching your black or white socks; leaving them pin-straight ruins the louche effect.
Old Navy Oversized Button-Down Boyfriend Shirt
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4. Patterned socks with suede shoes
We could all use a little more fun. So why not pile print on top of texture? Suede boat shoes are a perfect midpoint between dress shoes and sneakers, but they could feel a little heavy for spring. Throw on a pair of patterned socks—in this case, polka dots, which are enjoying a major moment—to lighten up the energy and add some graphic intrigue. Style the pairing with a mac coat now and a breezy sundress come summer.
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5. Ribbed socks with heels
Fashion people absolutely love pairing pumps and slingbacks with socks of all stripes, since it’s just about the easiest way to look like a Miu Miu model. Dip your toe into the look with patent leather heels, which contrast nicely with soft, ribbed crew socks in a complementary shade. The rest of your outfit is up to you—a full suit, an elegant dress, a trendy quarter-zip with a bright skirt—depending on your destination.
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6. Black socks with black shoes
One of the chicest and simplest ways to make regular socks look like a million bucks is to wear them with matching shoes. The cool, boot-like effect is pretty much the epitome of quiet luxury—and with smart styling, like throwing in another black piece or two, you’ll instantly look like a style insider. We love how these block-heel ballets look with tube socks, but you can also go for clogs, sneakers, or loafers.
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7. Colorful socks with neutrals
Perhaps the best way to liven up any outfit is with a pop of red. And tall socks ace the assignment, delivering a dose of color in an offbeat way. Offset neutrals like white, black, gray, brown, and navy with tomato-red socks—and then grow your collection of saturated socks with any other bold colors (grass green, grape purple, cobalt blue) that speak to you. While cotton dress weather hasn’t hit just yet, spring-proof your look in the meantime with a sweeping trench coat for warmth and wind protection.
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