June 1, 2021
NewsWearing socks and sandals together has long divided the fashion community. When slides made their comeback in 2016, the internet was divided between two camps. Those that were pro ‘socks and slides’, against those who thought it was a fashion sin. Fast forward a few years – and the combo has become one of the biggest trends for spring/summer 2021. Why is this? You just have to look at the rise of ‘dad’ fashion, fuelled by Birkenstocks and Chanel sandals. While we once thought of this look as something your dad would wear on a foreign holiday, everyone from Kylie Jenner to Rihanna and Justin Bieber are rocking the trend.
You can think of the trend as ‘off-the-clock supermodel chic’ with an athleisure twist. This combo is a popular choice for wearing with athleisure or while travelling. If you’re heading to the airport, socks and sandals can keep you comfortable, whether you’re booked into business class or economy.
The secret to nailing the sock and sandal trend is to know how to mix and match them together. Pairing the wrong socks with your sandals can make you stick out like a sore thumb. This trend is one we plan on rocking all summer long. Our guide shares 8 simple sock and sandal pairings that you can easily recreate throughout the summer. Grab a pen and write down the sock styles that you’ll need to grab on your next shopping trip.
Do you need to grab a pair of sandals first? We have a dedicate guide to the sandals you need in your closet, including all the latest styles for spring/summer 2021. Whether you’re working from home or hitting the shops, these socks and sandal pairings can take you anywhere.
What makes the sock and sandal trend so appealing is that you can personalise it to your aesthetic. There are no hard or fast rules that you have to stick to. In fact, you can usually mix and match pieces that are already in your closet. This trend is a way to update your look without breaking the bank. You can make the look preppy or give it a sporty twist depending on your combo of choice. This trend is one that anyone can jump on, whether you’re a busy stay-at-home mum or a college student cramping for their finals.
One thing you want to consider what this trend is that your socks are going to be on view just as much as your shoes. Make sure you have a fresh pair that doesn’t have any holes (it happens!) or look too dog-eared. If you think this trend is going to become a staple look for you, it’s a good idea to keep a few pairs strictly for wearing with your sandals for a sleek look.
You can wear this trend all year long. If you’re someone who loves sandals but hates the idea of cold feet or getting caught in a rainstorm, socks can help you wear your sandals 365 days a year. Even when the sun comes up, you can stick to your socks. After all, you might forget to give yourself a pedicure but still want to rock your new sandals.
Wearing sandals can be uncomfortable for your feet. The strap can dig into your skin and might struggle to get a proper grip on the sole of your sandals. If this sounds like you, a pair of socks can make your sandals more comfortable. It’s worth investing in a pair of cotton socks that will make it feel like you’re walking on a cloud. If comfort is your aim, you can keep your sock-sandal combo simplistic with a pair of classic leather sandals with minimalistic hardware.
If you’re planning to walk for a long distance – especially in the sunlight – adding comfortable socks can make the experience easier on your feet and reduce any bad smells by absorbing the moisture and sweat from your feet.
This look is the perfect opportunity to add a little monogram to your look. The rise of this trend has led everyone from Gucci to Versace coming out with monogram socks. They’re a splurge purchase that you’ll want to save for days when you can show them after. Why would you break the bank with Gucci socks if you can’t put them in the spotlight?
Not everyone wants to wear a bold pair of shoes. Black, white, and tan are the most popular colours for sandals of every style. If you’re looking to experiment with colours and give your look a quirky twist, you can take your minimalistic sandals and add a colourful sock. If you have white or black sandals, they’ll work with any colour.
To make a statement with your socks, you want to try and keep the rest of your look monochrome and within the same colour scheme as your sandals. You can let your socks take centre stage. If you want to give your closet a summer refresh, you can choose a trending colour like magenta purple or pastel pink for your socks.
Platform sandals are the perfect way to bring the sandal trend to your nightclub look. If you’re someone who has to have a few extra inches of height, platform sandals are your BFF. This silhouette gives the sandals a more feminine look, which is where the inspiration for our third pairing comes from. Don’t be afraid to embrace your inner girly-girl and pink socks to your look.
If you’re a fan of the cottagecore aesthetic – or have binge watched Netflix’s Bridgerton – you can swap these out for a pair of classic socks with a frill detailing. The frills will add a classic touch to balance out the platform in your sandals. If you choose socks with grills around the top, you can tuck your socks over the ankle strap of your platforms for a sleeker look.
The sandal and sock trend got its start thanks to the slides, which makes this combination one of the most recognisable on this list. You want to make it look like you’re heading to your yoga class or have just finished weightlifting. If you want to nail this look, choose sandals that feature velcro or a rubber sole. You can even choose a pair with a monogram twist if you want to give your look an athleisure feel.
The best socks to choose for a sporty look are the same style you would wear to the gym or with your everyday sneakers. Keep it simple with grey socks or your favourite pair of Nike socks. Don’t overthink the sporty combo. The more minimalistic, the better.
If there’s one trend we love to incorporate into every look, it’s the tie-dye trend. Most of us spent the start of the pandemic tie-dying everything we could get our hands on. If you’re looking for a budget friendly sock and sandal pairing, this is the one for you. Take an old pair of socks and follow a DIY tie-dye tutorial to give your socks a new look. You can keep it simple with a black and white monochrome or think outside the box with your favourite colours.
For tie-dye socks, you want to try and keep your sandals as simple as possible, so you don’t have a colour clash. Keep it classic with black or white sandals. If you want to show off your tie-dye socks, opt for a pair of open-back sandals to get the full effect of your tie-dye look.
The beauty of this pairing is that it naturally elongates your legs and gives the illusions that your socks and sandals are an all-in-one shoe. You want to choose socks that are as close to the colour of your sandals as possible for this look. You can keep it simple with black socks and sandals or give it a summer-time twist with a pastel pairing.
If you’re not a fan of being too matchy-matchy, this pairing is the perfect alternative. Instead of choosing socks and sandals that are the exact same shade, you can add definition to your look by adding socks that are a few hues lighter or darker than your sandals. If your sandals are a more unique colour, it can save you searching high and low for an exact match.
White socks and sandals may look nice on your Instagram page, but it can be a nightmare when you’re out and about. If you’re worried about getting dirt on your sandals, swap out the pairing for a yellow duo. Sunshine yellow is one of the trending colours for spring/summer 2021, and it can add a softer aesthetic to your outfit. Your socks and sandals don’t have to be an exact match, and you can keep it simple with cotton socks.
Which of these sock and sandal pairings are your favourite? Are you a fan of the trend? Let us know in the comments below!
Flat shoes are experiencing a major comeback in 2021, whether it’s the Birkenstocks or shearling slippers. Loafers are perhaps the most versatile style that you can add to your closet. They can take you from a day at the office to a trip to the theatre with your friends. If you’ve been scrolling through your Instagram feed over the last free months, you’ll see that influencers and celebrities are about the loafer shoes. They’re a timeless silhouette that works for any outfit.
Spring and summer are the perfect time to refresh your closet. With the world starting to open up again after the pandemic, it’s a great opportunity to try out some new trends and treat yourself to new pieces. The trends are still pointing towards a comfort-first approach, with athleisure and minimalism sticking around the biggest influences on the season. At the same time, there’s a little rebellion against loungewear, with over-the-top dresses and sparkles.
Summer is right around the corner. It’s time to give your makeup bag a refresh. Summer makeup is in a league of its own. Everything changes. Everyone is chasing the ideal of a ‘hot girl summer’, meaning that we all have to step up our makeup game. It’s time to dig around for your favourite bold lipstick, book in for a lash lift, and splurge on a new eyeshadow palette. With the end of lockdown coming just in time for summer, you can expect this summer to be unlike any other. While this list focuses on makeup trends, you don’t want to forget about your skincare. During the summer, it’s more important than ever to be on top of your skincare routine. You need to protect your skin from sun damage, which means touching up your sunscreen throughout the day.
Do you subscribe to the philosophy of “change the hair, change the woman”? If you do, then you might be considering a fresh haircut after the year that was 2020. Changing up your hairstyle can be as much a statement of your personality and development as it is about fashion. In 2020, many of us had to do our hair from home and master the art of the box-dye and even cutting our own fringe. We hope that this year we get to return to the salons for a professional cut. With this in mind, we’re rounding up the 5 biggest haircut trends that you’ll want to consider trying in 2021.
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