If You Want Your Basic Outfits to Look Cool This Spring, Wear This Sock Trend With Them
This is the cool girl trend that no one thinks about.
One of my favorite things about fashion and styling outfits is implementing all the little details to complete a look. Adding a necklace or a ring makes me feel like my outfit, no matter how plain it looks, is chicer and cooler. Right now, fashion people are infatuated with a particular trend that tends to be overlooked. We wear a pair of socks almost every day, whether with sneakers, loafers, or—dare I say—sandals (for those of us who don't abide by fashion "rules").
Influencers are wearing their socks just like anyone would, except with a twist that I find to be very cool. They’re wearing colorful socks to make their basic outfits pop. This adds the perfect amount of zhuzh to an outfit with barely any effort required. As someone who is always on the go and constantly in a rush to get ready, I’m thoroughly into this trend. It’s an easy, fun, and affordable way to make an outfit 10 times cooler. Keep scrolling for some colorful-sock outfit inspiration and my top selections to shop.
Burgundy Socks
Burgundy is often considered a fall and winter color trend, but in the form of a sock, it's lively enough of spring. They look best with a pair of loafers, like the look below. Style your burgundy socks with an outfit that includes shorts for a balanced contrast. And it's even better if you wear a complementary color to burgundy like blue.
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Sky Blue Socks
Nothing says spring like the color sky blue. It's light, fresh, and fun. I find myself more and more into this color as the weather gets warmer. Cool girls in NYC are opting to wear they're pair of sky blue socks with flat sneakers and simple tank top. Your sky blue socks will especially pop if most of your outfit is a neutral like black.
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Gray Socks
It girls worldwide have been into gray socks as the trend had a major runway moment at Sandy Liang's F/W 26 collection. Gray socks are now ubiquitous on Instagram, with every It girl wearing them with their simple outfits. This is the best color to wear if you want just a slightly eye-catching detail to your outfit, but don't want to look like you tried too hard.
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Ballet Pink Socks
Every time I see light pink socks, I can't help but think of the delicate fashion of ballet. I love how influencers are contrasting sneakers and other less dainty shoes with pink socks for spring, just like this look below. Ballet pink socks are a subtle, but fun alternative to a pair of white socks. If you're not into experimenting with colors much, ballet pink socks are for you.
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Electric Blue Socks
Electric blue socks are my favorite trend out of the bunch. I find this color to be one that evokes the energy of spring and summer. It's the perfect pop of color, IMHO. I recommend styling electric blue socks like you would white socks, like an every day necessity. It looks the coolest and most effortless that way. Try styling it like the look below with a pair of flats and a trench coat or with a plain tee, Bermuda shorts, and loafers. The styling options are endless.
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Red Socks
Red socks took over Instagram and TikTok last year, and started the colorful socks trend. It's a pop of color that pairs beautifully with many other colors. Fashion people and influencers alike were sporting red socks with mostly flats and heels. Now, the trend is still going strong. Red socks are definitely for the bold dressers, but if you want to try experimenting with more colors, red socks is the perfect start.
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Khaki Socks
Cool girls like Elsa Hosk have been spotted wearing khaki socks. While white socks are a mainstay for everyone's outfits, a pair of khaki socks will turn a boring outfit into a low-key and cool one instantly. It's the perfect neutral shade to offset a monotonous, everyday basic outfit. Style you pair of khaki socks with a pair of loafers and a lightweight coat like below or with a pair of lace trime shorts, a basic tee, and a pair of flats.
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Kerane Marcellus is a New York-based writer. She joined the Who What Wear team in 2025 after writing for Essence Magazine and freelancing for a number of other arts and culture publications. Fashion is a form of expression that she encourages everyone to take part in. There is no right or wrong in getting dressed! When she's not writing, she's reading in the park or gallery hopping in the city.