There was a point in history when wearing socks and sandals would get you rinsed. Once a source of endless ridicule for dads, Teutonic holidaymakers, and dudes who didn't give a fuck, it was the faux pas-est faux pas of 'em all. Back in 2015 , celebrity stylist Sam Spector (who has dressed some of Hollywood's biggest fashion guys) even called the combo “not acceptable.
” But a lot can change in a decade's time. This year alone, brands like Burberry and Louis Vuitton have been going all-out with the socks and sandals, and designers like Jonathan Anderson and Simone Rocha have been honing in. “It's a trend that was bound to resurface at some point,” says Mark Bage, managing director of luxury footwear platform Sneak in Peace .
“There's a certain nonchalance to it, a nod to those who can afford to toy with convention, especially when filtered through the lens of high-end branding.” But, with so many different sock styles to choose from, where do you start? To help move things along, we've doubled down on the exact science of which socks to wear with which sandals – and it's not a bit controversial. You know who loves these everyday socks from Zegna? Mads Mikkelsen , that's who.
And if the dark lord of fashion can't get enough of 'em, you might as well follow suit. He wears them with boots . He wears them with Oxfords .
He wears them with loafers . And while we have yet to see him wear them with sandals, if he had to pick a pair, it would probably look a lot like Alexander McQueen's Exaggerated Slides. The pieces to buy: In The Bear , Carmy can't get enough of the Birkenstock Tokio .
Apparently it's a very good shoe that actual chefs wear. But if you're not an actual chef and you're looking for something a little more advanced, try these ones from the 1774 line. They're significantly spennier, but that's because they're made in its German workshops using special techniques and materials.
And, while you're at it, you might as well pair them with these ultra cushy mélange socks by Mr P. The pieces to buy: Bottega Veneta 's intrecciato weave has taken over menswear like an uncontrollable wildfire – and nobody's complaining. We're talking AirPod cases.
We're talking bags . And now, we're talking sandals, too. Destined for the shores of the Cote d'Azur or Taormina or Positano, the Tarik is handmade from some of the softest suede that you'll ever touch in your entire life.
Rock them with some ultra clean Blue Blue Japan socks and you've got yourself a killer combo. The pieces to buy: Crocs have been shit-hot for a minute now. Once worn by dudes who went fishing every single weekend (that's literally what they were originally made for), you'll now find them on the feet of every hypeseeker you know.
And there's nothing hype-ier than the Saru that was made in collaboration with American footwear designer Salehe Bembury . Slip them on with these crew socks and you'll have yourself fire combo – all for under a bag. The pieces to buy: Dr Martens' Isham has only been around for about a year, but it's already become one of fashion TikTok 's biggest hits.
Most menswearheads pair them with cream or white socks, and that's OK! If you want to have a lil bit of fun though, try some from Uniqlo's ‘Colour’ collection instead. They come in 50 (!) colourways, but if you're not sure which to go for, you really can't go wrong with these lovely salmon-y ones. The pieces to buy: Jil Sander has been doing this whole quiet luxury thing since the '60s.
But while you can keep things super clean and super minimal (just the way creative directors Luke and Lucie Meier intended), you can also spice up your fits with some red hot socks, like this pair from Anderson & Sheppard. David Beckham actually wore a very similar combo recently, and if it's good enough for him, it'll definitely be good enough for you. The pieces to buy: Cool, so you've got yourself some weird socks from The Elder Statesman .
Well, you've already come this far, so you might as follow it through with some even weirder sandals from Kapital. Crafted from a premium mix of leather and suede, the slides are covered with purple fringe detailing that just looks absolutely insane. With that said, while they may look strange as hell, sizes are already selling out, so they're obviously doing something right.
The pieces to buy: If you follow any gorpcore accounts on Insta, chances are you've seen the Keen Uneek OG a few (thousand) times. Worn by explorers and those who cosplay as them, they feature a wild netted design that's meant to keep things easy-breezy. While these weren't designed to be worn with socks, if you don't plan on taking on the Lake District anytime soon, this Arket pair is a good match.
Plus, you can currently get two for £15, which is a pretty sick deal if we've ever seen one. The pieces to buy: If you're the kinda guy who likes to keep things mega cosy, Loewe 's sandals are the one. Decked out in brushed suede throughout, they rest on top of soles that are made from some of the plushest rubber in the universe.
But there's more! Because if you want to make things even cosier, pair 'em with these multi-coloured socks by Japanese label Anonymous Ism. They come in “normal” colours too, but where’s the fun in that? The pieces to buy: Manolo Blahnik 's Golby is inspired by Florence's super laid-back vibe. With its all-suede upper and buckled leather straps, they've been specifically designed to be very quiet and very understated.
If you're a fan of this aesthetic, rock 'em with Loro Piana 's Gisborne socks. Just like the sandals, they come in black. But, like stars in the night sky, they're peppered with some subtle white spots throughout to keep things nice and interesting.
The pieces to buy: Merrell is probably more famous for its very serious hiking shoes that are worn by very serious hikers. But recently, the American footwear company has gone all-out with its sandal game, and the Hydro Moc has been a major hit. The thing is, this hole-y model only comes in a bunch of monochromatic colourways, so if you want to make it pop without going too overboard, these ribbed socks by Cos are a good idea.
The pieces to buy: Moncler 's suede clog ain't cheap. But just like the French label's Trailgrip trainer, this ultra premium silhouette has gained itself a bit of a cult following over the past few years. And every single time they come back in stock, they sell out pretty quickly afterwards.
While these would go well with just your “regular” crew socks, you might as well luxe it up with these ones from artsy streetwear imprint Gallery Dept. The pieces to buy: We know, we know. Wearing two competing sneaker brands at once is a bit of a faux pas itself.
But come on, lads! We're in an age where rocking socks and sandals is socially acceptable, so maybe it's time that we get over this weird rule, too. The Reebok Beatnik looks best with a pair of clean white socks, and nobody does clean white socks (that are actually affordable!) better than the mighty Swoosh. The pieces to buy: Since the dawn of time itself, we've been told again and again that socks and sandals are like water and oil: they just don't mix.
But then Suicoke and Kapital come along – two mad, experimental Japanese brands that have, inadvertently, created a combo that just works way too well. While the Toshikiyo Hirata brand is probably known more for its patchwork denim jeans , its ‘happy heel’ socks have also become a firm fave over the past few seasons. The pieces to buy: If you're a proud workwearhead but you don't really feel like wearing your Detroit Jacket to the beach this summer, get this combo instead.
Chase Socks are something that every single Carhartt WIP stan should have, but the American brand doesn't make its own sandals or mules (right now anyway). So, if you're looking for the next best thing, try Sunspel's Buckle Sliders. They come in a colour that's very similar to Carhartt's signature deep brown shade, and that's good enough! The pieces to buy:.
