Socks are the new shoes in fashion world

Ove the years, socks have come in and out of fashion. But for the past few months, we have seen more and more statement pieces gracing the world of social media and the runways.

And now, with most of us being home and, let’s face it, in our PJs, what else to cover our feet with than some funky and colourful socks.

 Emma Bonneaud, left, Ami and Aya Suzuki, right, at Fall Winter 2020-2021 show. TNS

Shoes became redundant for 23 hours a day, and suddenly socks have been propelled from supporting cast member to a starring role, the likes of which they haven’t enjoyed since the gymnasium "sock hops" of the 1950s.

As the days merge together into one continuous mass of stretchy grey, socks are a cheery way to punctuate the meh.

Naturally the fashion world is one step ahead on all this. Man Repeller’s Leandra Medine Cohen has been doing fantastic work in the status sock canon, while artist and stylist Zeena Shah’s candy-coloured grid is full of enviable anklewear.

 Xenia Adonts and Manon Bresch at Miu Miu Fall Winter 2020-2021 show. TNS

Hashtags like #socksoftheday and #sockselfie are growing apace, and last year’s socks-and-sliders obsession has transitioned seamlessly into socks-and-slippers. Meanwhile the crafters among us are busy tie-dyeing them, making more, or learning to darn favourite old pairs. I’ve been alternating between pink, lilac and polka dot lurex numbers with several beautiful, chunky pairs hand-knitted by my mum.

And of course, we all know socks are the best gift there is. Dumbledore was right.

 Close up at Nanushka Fall Winter 2020-2021 presentation, held at Beaux Arts, Paris. TNS

Happy Socks, whose collections range from trend-led prints and colour-blocking to nostalgic collaborations with Spongebob Squarepants, Disney Pixar and Queen (that’s the band, not Her Majesty), have seen a steady rise in online sales after an initial dip in early March. The brand’s head of marketing, Laura Fisk, attributes it to their mood-boosting quality. “The idea that ‘socks are the new shoes’ has definitely had an impact,” she says, “but also the fact that people want to wear something, or gift something, that can brighten up someone’s day.”

So while the tricky ethical question of whether we should still be buying clothes in a pandemic remains inconclusive, socks feel like a safe bet. They’re a sound price-per-wear investment, and they’ll always have a function; whether that’s comfort on a cold night, or looking cute under strappy sandals. Unlike all the quick-fix trend items that you’ll be bored of by the time we’re allowed out again, they won’t date. We should give priority to all those too-thick-for-shoes pairs languishing at the back of our drawers, of course… but if you’re going to shop just now, shop socks.

And hey — those you’re not wearing can always double up as makeshift puppet friends.