Could Your Socks Be Ageing You?
What was once seen as a fashion mishap has turned into a modern trend. Celebrities like London-based Lily Allen now proudly show off their socks, even sporting mesh designs in her new album photoshoot.
Few style choices divide generations as sharply as sock length. Gen Z considers anything shorter than mid-calf “old-fashioned,” while those in midlife often hesitate to revisit the knee-high look from their school days.
For years, invisible socks were the staple choice for wearing with trainers or loafers. Now, visible socks have become the sign of style currency. Public figures such as Myleene Klass, 47, embrace calf-high sports socks to project a youthful image—though this might not always suit more traditional settings like school runs or offices.
Meanwhile, taking inspiration from 60-year-old Sarah Jessica Parker by wearing knee-highs with skirts may trigger teasing from coworkers, who might see it as too reminiscent of a school uniform.
“Younger people see visible socks as uncool, while many over 40 find them indispensable, functional and pretty much a wardrobe basic,” said luxury stylist Angela Kyle in an interview with the Daily Mail.
Author’s Summary
Style preferences around sock length reveal a clear generational divide, where Gen Z prefers bold visibility and older groups lean toward practical subtlety.