How to Wear Socks With Sandals

last updated 4 September 2019

Socks and sandals are not just meant to be photographed on the feet of your favorite street style stars—the combination is completely useless if not worn IRL by you everywhere from the office to a cocktail party. However, since the combination does seem slightly unnatural, we are here to give you a few combinations that anyone (and we mean anyone) can pull off. All you'll need is an open mind, a few pairs of your favorite socks, and the sandals you are currently loving. Ready?

The key to not looking completely ridiculous while pulling off the socks-and-sandals combo is to always keep your overall look in mind. So let's say you're going to a cocktail party. Your dress is simple but elegant, and you want to add a little something extra to make your look pop. This would be the perfect time to pull out those glitter ankle socks and feather-adorned sandals. Or how about when it's too cold outside to wear your favorite platforms, but your look is in dire need of them? Why not slip into a quiet black pair of socks first? Problem solved. In essence, wearing socks and sandals is not just a sartorial secret, it's actually a fashion problem-solving hack, and your life is about to get much easier and 10 times more interesting now that you are an official participant in the trend.

Get ready to shop our favorite socks-and-sandals pairings here!

Mix and match feminine shoes with athletic-inspired socks for an unexpectedly forward look.

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Topshop

Sporty Tube Ankle Socks

Attico

Marla Wraparound Velvet Sandals

Play with textures throughout your whole look, including your socks and sandals. In this case, ribbed socks and velvet platforms are the perfect additions to this outfit.

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Nordstrom

Merino Wool Roll Top Crew Socks

Who What Wear

Sydney Satin Platform Crossband Quarter Strap Sandal Heels

Pair different hues of the same color together for a more cohesive and formal look. As you can see here, the combination is definitely party-ready.

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Darner

Darner x Opening Ceremony Berry Red Mesh Socks

Rafa

The Simple Sandal

If you are hesitant to try this styling trick, ease into it by wearing black socks with black sandals. While you are still participating in the trend, you won't have to worry about making a flashy statement on your feet quite yet.

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Out From Under

Cozy Flat Knit Crew Sock

Chinese Laundry

Theresa Platform Sandal

Are you already a pro at the whole socks and sandals thing? Then why not go all out? Try faux-fur sandals and glitter socks—the sky is the limit when it comes to these combos.

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& Other Stories

Glitter Socks

Miu Miu

Feather-Trimmed Embellished Satin Slides

If you want to go for a more classy look, go back to the basics and wear a crisp white pair with a solid-colored block heel. The pairing will add a unique element to your look without distracting from it.

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Mother

Mother Superior White

Zara

Strappy Platform Sandals

Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Wear and has worked at the company for over eight years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Kristen Stewart.

She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.