An unlikely trend: can ANYONE look good in big, woolly socks?
Socks: the items we’re told never to gift to our loved-ones; the items we’re so keen to keep hidden from view that we invest in (pretty useless) shoe-liners.
In fact, a whole load of us would frankly rather a collection of painful pressure sores and blisters in lieu of actually – woe betide – putting on socks.
So, at what point did socks become an ‘it’ accessory? Probably around the point that Gucci sent its models down the catwalks in them, teaming them with everything from platforms and pumps to *shudders* sandals.
Credit creative director Alessandro Michele, the Clueless-inspired Nineties revival, or the ever-whimsical street-style stars constantly trying to create silk purses of sows’ ears; either way, the ‘shoes-and-socks’ look is hotter than Hiddleswift right now.
Still, it's also one that I’ll admit to being seriously wary of. Not particularly blessed in the height department (I'm 5ft 1in), there’s a definite risk of ending up looking like an employee of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory.
For me, there’s also the practicality of the trend to consider: I couldn’t tell you the last time I wore a matching pair of socks as they’re so damn impossible to find in my box-room. So was I – the Pippi Longstocking of fashion – really prepared to commit?
If nothing else, I’m a trier; so OF COURSE I was!
I recently experimented with the shoes-and-socks trend, in a bid to see if it really is as cool as the fashion kids say it is, and if it could add a little something extra to my personal style.
Here’s how I got on…
Look 1:
I decided to ease myself in by opting for a socks-and-platforms look. To balance out the minimalism of my ‘dress’ (it’s actually an oversized T-shirt), I opted for a pair of glittery knee-highs from Penneys.
I actually loved this look: it was comfortable, the socks added an extra edge and quirkiness to an otherwise dull outfit, and it didn’t make me feel so self-conscious about leaving the house in ‘just a T-shirt’!
Look 2:
There’s a really ladylike, ‘50s vibe about the socks-and-court shoes combo, and so I decided to try it out with a floral tea dress and basic pink heels. I chose a pair of green glitter ankle socks to avoid being too girly-girly.
Again, I was pleasantly surprised at the difference a simple pair of ankle socks made to this look: it definitely added a vintage-y feel and allowed me to add a little edgy personality to an otherwise SERIOUSLY girly outfit.
Look 3:
OK. So in order to get a really good gauge of how this trend would suit me, I HAD to experiment with sandals and a quirky pair of patterned socks.
While one colleague adored this look, I have to admit that it just wasn’t for me. I just reckon that I’m way too short to pull it off – and that’s fine by me!
Whether you like or loathe the socks-and-shoes look that’s dominating the style scene this season (and my modest take on it), I learned that there’s a way to work the trend to suit my body shape and taste.
And isn’t that the whole point of fashion: to experiment with new trends, and find a way of fitting them into your personal style? Absolutely – that’s what makes it so fun.
So, even if you feel a bit silly (case in point: Look 3), it’s worth it to try something a little different, because you might just end up finding something you love.
