Look at your feet: if you wear white socks even with shorts and slippers, you’re probably under 25. However, if you never show off your socks, you’re almost certainly in your 30s or older. At least, that’s what TikTok says, which has turned socks into a litmus test to determine which generation the socks belong to at first glance.
Dress like a Millennial or Gen Z?
Street style from the recent Copenhagen fashion shows in Denmark
The social rivalry between Millennials and their younger siblings, the Zetas, is now a reflection of TikTok, with videos highlighting the irreconcilable differences between the two generations, especially in terms of style. High-waisted skinny jeans, low-waisted baggy jeans, tucked-in shirts, oversized T-shirts… all look different when worn by the two generations.
And above all, there are the tiny, high-top socks that pop out over leggings, under miniskirts or Bermuda shorts. In short, they appear in places no one would have dreamed of wearing them until a few years ago. In recent years, the fashion world has seen the rise of long socks, from red tights to gym socks.
We’re no longer shocked to see socks worn with heels, a la Miuccia Prada, socks are traditionally worn with shoes, but now they’re worn with ballet flats and even with slippers or hiking boots.
Stars love socks
Even in mid-August, Jenna Ortega still hasn’t given up on socks and flats. She’s the queen of Dark Academia style. Bella Hadid pairs socks with high-heeled sandals and a pencil skirt.
Photo: @Jenna Ortega, @Bella Hadid
Hailey Bieber on the streets of New York in white socks and ugg boots. Emma Chamberlain wears white socks on the red carpet Met Gala
Photo: @nystyle, @Emma Chamberlain
What’s certain is that this trend is loved by the stars: Hailey Bieber is a true ambassador of white socks, Emma Chamberlain even showed them off on the red carpet Met Galapaired them with a pale blue look from Miu Miu. Angelina Mango brought them to the Sanremo stage, in a contrasting game of wedges and an Etro dress. The list is long and doesn’t stop even in the heat of August. Just last week, we saw Julia Fox walking around New York in a white blazer and knee-high boots, while Jenna Ortega opted for short socks and flats. Billie Eilish, the Gen Z icon, even wore them to sing in Los Angeles at the Olympic Handover Ceremony.
Become the “main character” of fall trends
Street style with white socks, red ballet flats at Copenhagen Fashion Week spring summer 2025
Copenhagen Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025 brought a thousand ways to combine socks for the end of summer look. From slingbacks, sneakers with boho-chic dresses and even under bubble dresses. The fashion shows seemed to “implicitly” confirm that Gen Z was right and socks are here to stay for a long time to come. Miu Miu and Costello made white socks stand out with leather ankle boots, a style that is very much a Millennial aesthetic. Acne Studios relaunched knee-high boots; Elisabetta Franchi wore them over tights, both day and night. Lacoste embroidered them with precious details, sporty and luxurious. It doesn’t matter what shoes we wear: slingbacks, pointed-toe ballet flats, high-heeled sandals or ankle boots, but just remember one thing: “If we want to look younger, or at least fashionable, it’s time to use socks.”
