Whether you’ve just dipped your toes in a hot bath or are slipping on a warm pair of thermal socks that are still warm from your dryer, there’s nothing better than getting to experience warm, cozy toes. Most of the time, your socks might seem like a piece of clothing that is almost purely functional.
Fashion Finds a Way
On the other hand, if you can wear it, people will find a way to mix, match and accessorize while finding a million other unique ideas to help them stand out from the crowd. If you’re looking for the latest trends in socks, you’ve come to the right place.
Comfort Over Looks
The COVID-19 pandemic seems to be lingering longer than anyone expected, and so are some of the clothing choices it inspired. Perhaps this is because it is tough to shake the habit of dressing comfortably after you get used to it. Whatever the cause, people everywhere continue to dress as if they get to work from home at all times – or at least they are incorporating styles from their work-from-home outfits into their regular wear.
If there is one guiding principle for this style of dress, it is that comfort trumps everything. When it comes to socks, people are more willing to wear thick, warm socks everywhere they go without worrying as much about the color or print displayed on the socks. Socks with high thermal ratings, such as Heat Holders socks, are among the most popular.
Flashy Prints
As if in direct response to all of the comfortable dressing-down styles that have become popular in the past few years, another trend has appeared wherein people wear clothing with prints that are as bright and colorful as possible. Nowhere do people love to wear flashy colors than on their feet.
This trend started appearing in the spring of 2022 and picked up steam through the summer. Since colorful socks play a big part in identifying this trend, cute prints are becoming more common. The style may be a reaction to dressing down, but it might also be a way to brighten everyone’s spirits by bringing more color into your life.
Athleisure Socks
In a similar vein to the comfy look, wearing clothing made for athletic performance just about anywhere you go is a trend that has been around for a few years and isn’t going anywhere. People in the 2020s seem adamant about mixing fashion and practical function. While this trend is easy to spot in people who wear athletic wear everywhere, it stands out more flagrantly in those who prefer to mix and match. Think running or cycling socks mixed with fancy dress shoes.
The Rebirth of the Tube Sock
There’s no denying that popular television shows have a significant influence on our stylistic choices. Back in the days when Madmen was still airing new episodes, the perennial love of mid-century styles seemed to reach an overwhelming saturation point, especially in regards to household furniture and men’s fashion.
Today, the rebirth of everything 80s is in full swing, and this trend has a lot to do with the recent release of a new season of Stranger Things. When it comes to wearing socks, the height of fashion for 80s fans is the classic plain old tube sock. If you’re looking for a stylish tube sock, you can’t go wrong with a classic white sock with colorful stripes.
Crew Socks
Another vintage rebirth that is becoming trendier this year is the appearance of the crew sock. Crew socks are similar to tube socks, except for the rule that they never cover the knee. They also tend to boast higher quality and more expensive options, so you can get away with wearing crew socks with fancier outfits and wearing them in fancier places.
If you’re more into the rebirth of the 90s and feel that the 80s thing is already over, you might want to try out a crew sock instead of a tube sock. You’ll be able to stand apart and resist getting confused for a mouth-breathing tube sock fan if you pick a sock that comes in a plain color and shows off white stripes rather than the reverse color combination.
Winter Socks (and Boots) in the Summer
Suppose you’re interested in making a more radical fashion statement. In that case, you might want to consider trying out the new trend where people are pairing articles of winter clothing with light summer outfits. Since one of the easier ways to accomplish this look without overheating is to wear thick winter socks with a light sundress, it really has become more of a socks trend than an entire wardrobe choice.
Tumblr Fashion
Recent years in fashion are all about revivals. You may have heard that the 80s are back, and you may have heard that the 90s are back, but you probably didn’t you realize that the early 2000s and even 2010s are back already as well! Perhaps people are willing to celebrate any year of fashion that doesn’t remind them of the pandemic and other disturbing world events, like the war in Ukraine.
If you’re wondering how this trend works, it might help to know that it is also referred to as twee fashion. As in the case of some of the other trends mentioned here, the twee look incorporates flashy colors and prints but also extends beyond the realm of socks to include classic 2000s fashions elements like
- Chunky Glasses
- Vintage Prints
- Peter Pan Collars
If you’re unclear about some of the distinctions here or don’t particularly care to style yourself after any particular look, you can still dress like you know what’s popular. The overarching themes repeated by these different types of styles are basic. In 2022, you’ll want to look for socks that say comfort and color. Just about any kind of vintage throwback that you can imagine will also work.
That said, with the summer almost over and the cold weather approaching, the best way to start will be to invest in some comfortable thermal socks that will last you all the way until the spring – and even beyond.
