Are Your Socks Making You Look Old? Gen

There’s nothing that draws battle lines between the generations quite like how you wear your socks.

According to Gen Z, anything shorter than mid-calf immediately marks you out as ‘old’ and horribly out-of-fashion, much to the horror of anyone in midlife who last wore knee highs at school.

While invisible socks that can’t be seen under trainers and loafers have been the go-to style for years, your hosiery must now be on full display if you don’t want to look terribly past it.

That’s why Myleene Klass47, is often seen holding back the years in sports socks pulled well up her calves, but it’s a look that may not translate quite so easily to the school run.

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And turning up at the office in a pair of knee-high socks with a skirt – inspired by 60-year-oldSarah Jessica Parker–may well provoke sniggers from colleagues who wonder why you’re wearing your school uniform.

Luxury stylist Angela Kyle told the Daily Mail: ‘Younger people see visible socks as uncool, while many over 40 find them indispensable, functional and pretty much a wardrobe basic.

‘The invisible sock has always been a hallmark of polish and subtlety.

‘So, when today’s youth stride in with striped, slouchy, or slogan socks pulled high, it can feel like a foreign language of style and one that many struggle to get on board with.’

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Here, Angela reveals the ultimate guide to finding the perfect pair of socks for a youthful outfit upgrade – without looking like you’re desperately trying to reclaim your youth.

Sports socks

Millennial women who splash out on high-end athleisure may feel smugly fashionable as they waft into a yoga class.

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But it doesn’t matter how much money you’ve invested in Loewe x On or Alo Yoga unless you turn up to the gym with a pair of thick white sports socks pulled up over your leggings.

The trend has even crept out of the fitness studio and into everyday wear.

Achingly cool 20-somethings everywhere are rocking a ’90s gym class meets streetwear cool’ look by wearing sports socks with any outfit.

Myleene Klass, 47, has embraced the trend, wearing her sports socks with everything from workout gear to playful jumpsuits.

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But will you feel foolish nipping into M&S in white towelling socks peeping out from under your midi dress?

Angela’s advice is to embrace the irony and wear your sports socks with chunky trainers or sandals, or else it will ‘age you fast.

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‘Avoid pairing with loafers or “sensible” shoes unless you’re intentionally clashing styles,’ she explained.

‘They work best if worn with intention; otherwise, they’re one step away from suburban dad.’

Whether in the gym or out and about, for less confident wearers the trick is softening the colour palette.

‘Skip the stark white. Instead try cream or soft grey for a refined appearance,’ Angela said.

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And if pairing your outfit with chunky trainers is too daunting, opt for a pared-back model like Adidas Sambas.

Verdict: By all means pull your sports socks up, but don’t wear white

Knee socks

Angela said that knee-length socks can work from the teens all the way up to your late 20s, but beyond that age range things get tricky.

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However, she insists that they can still look tasteful when styled correctly.

She said: ‘You shouldn’t rule out knee socks at 30-plus if styled in a fashion-forward or vintage way.

‘The trick is proportion. Swap minis for a midi or knee-length skirt and wear tonal knee socks with boots – think a black ribbed sock under a suede knee boot or a fine cashmere blend under a midi dress.

The stylist said that the outcome can be ‘subtle, textural, and sophisticated, not schoolgirl.’

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Verdict: The higher the sock, the lower the hemline  should be

Mesh socks

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Lily Allen40, flew the flag for mesh socks in a pair of sheer knee highs in the first publicity shots for her album West End Girl.

And according to Angela, you don’t need to be releasing an album of diss tracks about your ex-husband to pull them off.

She said: ‘These are elegant, fashion-forward, and often underutilised. Overall, they’re chic socks that anyone can wear.

‘They elevate a look and show confidence. The texture and transparency create visual interest. They’re only ever a bad choice if they clash with the rest of the outfit.’

So, what’s the best way to wear them? The stylist recommends a minimalistic shoe that lets the socks have all the attention.

‘Wear yours with heeled sandals, mules, strappy heels, or delicate loafers and let the sock be the statement,’ she said.

‘They’re a way to bring polish and edge without shouting for attention. Perfect for evening events when tights feel too heavy.’

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However, there is a note of caution: Make sure they are at least mid-calf or knee length.

Any shorter and you risk looking like you’re wearing practical pop socks and not an on-trend accessory.

Verdict: Keep your stockings sheer and your shoes simple

Ankle socks

Perennial tastemakers Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner are regularly seen wandering the streets of LA in white ankle socks and granddad sandals – which is all very well when you’re a leggy supermodel in your 20s.

For most mortals, this has always been seen as a major fashion no-no.

The change can be daunting for older generations who last wore a pretty pair of white ankle socks on their sixth birthday.

Luckily Angela has a quick fix.

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‘The optic-white version is tricky,’ she said. ‘It can look costume-like. Swap white for black, navy, or burgundy to keep it elegant.’

She added: ‘Pair with structured loafers, cropped trousers, and a sleek blazer. The effect is still fresh, but age-appropriate and Parisian rather than preppy.

Angela explained that, by changing the colour, it gives people of all ages the means to cash in on the fashion insider move, which, according to her, ‘can look effortless when styled well’.

She concluded: ‘They won’t look dated or old if you keep the rest of your look modern.’

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Verdict: This is a look for all ages if you keep the rest of your outfit smart

Statement socks

Statement socks can look good on anyone, at any age, according to Angela.

‘These definitely work for all ages, but they do come with a confidence clause,’ she explained.

‘They’re playful, personality-driven, and best worn intentionally. However, they can come across as clownish if overdone.

‘Don’t let that ruin your playful mood though as they’re a brilliant way to inject colour or break up monochrome looks if you choose wisely.’

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Sarah Jessica Parker is among the celebrities known for her love of statement socks, and the actress isn’t afraid of going big and bold.

Back in 2019, she was seen in Melbourne donning a purple, sparkly pair from Vetements. Then, in 2021, she walked the streets of New York in a bright pink monochrome pair from Gucci.

When it comes to pairing them, Angela said, ‘Think minimalist shoes in solid colours where you can let the sock do the talking.

‘They also work beautifully with white sneakers, black loafers, or ankle boots,’ she concluded.

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For those 40-plus wearers, Angela advised, ‘Choose luxe fabrics (cashmere, silk blends) and rich tones like plum, forest, or mustard.

‘Let them pop under cropped jeans or tailored trousers with minimalist shoes. Think playful, not cartoonish.’

Verdict: These work at any age, but steer away from novelty

So, can you EVER get away with invisible socks?

Angela’s decisive verdict is invisible socks are only acceptable when it’sstrictly necessary, which means a situation where you would get away with not wearing socks at all.

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‘Invisible socks can be ideal for a clean, classic silhouette, so think ballet flats or slip-ons. Just make sure they fit snugly so they don’t slip,’ she said.

‘But where possible, ditch the invisible socks and go for a daring pair to secure extra style points and warmth in the colder months.’