Wearing socks with shorts is a controversial topic. Some people are vehemently opposed to this fashion choice, while others see it as the height of comfort during warmer weather. If you're among the latter group, flip through the following article for some helpful advice on how to pull this look off.
It's no secret that the world of fashion is constantly changing. Some trends come and go within a few years, while others remain popular for decades. This isn't true just for clothing; even something as simple as socks can be fashionable or unfashionable depending on the decade. While some people consider socks with shorts to be one of the great fashion faux pas of our time, others think that the practice will never go out of style.
One of the biggest problems with wearing socks with shorts is the same problem you'd face if you tucked your pants into your shoes. Too many people don't know how to pull this look off effectively. For instance, one pair of panty hose gets in the way of the other leg's sock, making a lumpy appearance. If you're willing to go sockless, there's no reason why you shouldn't. In fact, you'll look more comfortable and put together.
However...
If you do decide to wear socks with shorts, choose the right kind. In most cases, knee-highs will work better than ankle-highs since they are more slimming and better at preventing chafing. Calf high stockings are definitely not a good choice because they make your legs look bulkier than they actually are.
At some companies and in some cultures, it's considered rude to wear socks with shorts. In most cases, this is simply done to discourage people from wearing shorts as proper business attire. Regardless of whether you're at an office or out to see friends, it's better not to wear socks with shorts; it simply makes your outfit seem sloppy and lazy instead of put together and polished. Thigh-high socks may not be a problem at the office, but if you're wearing your work slacks, you'll want to avoid showing any skin above the waistband. Although many people think that wearing shorts with sock is more formal than tucking in a pair of dress pants with a belt, this combination screams semi-casual instead of business casual. For example, you can't pull off this look with jeans; they just look sloppy in comparison to slacks and a shirt.
Another way of wearing socks with shorts are the knee-highs or ankle-highs. Thigh high socks look too casual for business environments and can seem inappropriate if you're wearing a skirt. If you don't wear skirts, stick with what works for your personality.
If you wear shorts on any given day, the warm weather will most likely determine whether or not you'll wear socks with them. When the temperature is mild, tugging on a pair of shorts is no big deal. However, if it's hot and humid out, socks with shorts can make your feet sweat and cause your legs to chafe. Furthermore, if you're out at the beach or going for a run, your feet and lower legs will feel cooler with socks since they absorb sweat.
Socks with Shorts Styles
There's no concrete rule on how to wear socks with shorts, but you can use these styles to help guide you. Of course, your socks can be in any pattern or color, but it's something to consider when deciding on the best pair.
One of the first things that you must decide is the combination. Will you wear socks with shorts? If so, will you do it in a sporty fashion or casual fashion? Each style can look great depending on your personality. You also must choose the length of your socks. While knee-highs are great for skirts and dress pants, they don't suit shorts very well. Ankle-highs look too much like panty hose for most people to consider wearing them for everyday use. In this case, go with a mid-length sock that will keep the style casual but not too sporty.
Whichever style you choose, ensure that your socks complement the rest of your outfit. If you're wearing a polo shirt and shorts, choose socks in a similar pattern. If you're wearing chinos, wear socks in an earth tone toned pattern. In short, don't wear the same color for all of your socks; different colors will help to break up all those monochromatic looks and make it easier to see what's going on underneath them.
