Socks and sandals, gym socks and high heels, black socks and white sneakers… What do these things all have in common? Welp, they’re considered fashion faux pas and they’re back on trend thanks to our favorite influencers, models, and celebs.
Socks seem to have gone from that thing you wear to keep your feet warm to a fashion statement you put on when you want to stand out and get people talking.
Gold-pleated socks, diamond-encrusted socks, and hand-painted socks are some of the bootees that have taken wealthy people’s world by storm. TikTok’s old money aesthetic doesn’t help the case considering the fact that everyone’s been breaking the bank for a pair of overpriced designer socks.
Whether you’re a Bella Hadid enthusiast or a Kanye West fan, you must have seen some of these strange ensembles drawing attention and garnering a following. What do we think – do black socks and white sneakers deserve a comeback? Read more down below!
Can you wear black socks with white sneakers now?
Okay, here’s a disclaimer that needs to be addressed: You can wear whatever you want, whenever you want, without caring about other people’s opinions. Whether or not something’s a fashion faux pas doesn’t (and shouldn’t) affect your outfit – unless you’re attending an Anna Wintour event.
With that out of the way, though, most fashion enthusiasts frown upon wearing black socks with white sneakers. Maybe that’s because of the strong contrast that takes away from the rest of the outfit.
Perhaps it’s because white sneakers have been worn with white socks since the dawn of time. Whatever the case might be, wearing black socks with white sneakers might draw unwanted attention.
But that doesn’t mean that you can’t style black socks with white sneakers and make them work. Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid, for example, are proof that you can wear weird socks when you know what you’re doing. Kanye, too.
Before you opt for a basic, boring combination, check out a few of our favorite tips and tricks.
How can you pull off black socks with white sneakers?
When you want to wear your favorite white sneakers but you forgot to wash your white socks, you might need to resort to what you have. Black and white go together, right!?
Now, here’s the thing. No matter what Anna Wintour says, there are much worse color combinations you can wear and get away with. Black socks and white sneakers might look a little odd to people who care about that sort of stuff, but most of your friends won’t even bat an eye.
We do, however, have a few tips and tricks that can help you pull off the black-and-white foot ensemble without wondering whether you’re doing something wrong.
1. Opt for no-show socks for a simple, sleek look
What are the odds that the black socks you’re planning on wearing are no-show socks? On the one hand, no-shows are perfect for sneakers because you can’t see them. No matter what color combination you wear, you don’t have to hunt for matching no-show socks.
On the other, you probably wouldn’t be reading this had you been able to get your hands on no-show socks. But here’s your reminder to add them to your shopping cart and stop worrying about the color of your socks ruining your outfit.
Before you click the “add to cart” button, make sure you’re getting the non-slip ones. You don’t want to come home with blisters and bruises after a day of being on your feet.
2. Go for a black-and-white contrast throughout the entire outfit
Black-and-white outfits are boring, right? Wrong! When you’re struggling with figuring out which socks to wear with your white sneakers or trying to find a way to make black socks work with white sneakers – go for a full-on black-and-white moment.
One of the best ways to ensure you’re staying on top of trends while working with what you have is to keep your color palette as simple as possible.
What’s simpler than an outfit defined by the absence of color? Pairing an all-black ‘fit with white sneakers would be a little too contrasty, but adding something as simple as a white baseball cap and belt can make the entire ensemble come together. Throw on a white windbreaker and you’re good to go.
3. Add a subtle pattern to tie the look together
Solid black socks with solid white sneakers might be a bit of a buzzkill. Contrast can be great, but adding too much contrast can make you appear bottom-heavy and unbalanced.
Go from bland to bad-to-the-bone with patterned socks or patterned sneakers. Generally speaking, adding a pattern to your look can be the simplest way to tie the look together.
An all-black outfit, for example, doesn’t need a pattern because everything’s the same color. A black-and-white outfit, however, can benefit from polka dots, stripes, or plaid to add some interest.
And a colorful outfit can appear more cohesive when you match patterns and solids. Solid black socks with black-and-white sneakers or solid white sneakers with black-and-white socks are far from a fashion faux pas – that’s pretty much the takeaway.
What other color socks go with white sneakers?
A wise man once said, “There are two types of people in the world – those who understand the importance of socks and those who wear black socks with sneakers.”
Argh, we wish that was the truth, but we’re kidding.
Whatever socks you want to wear with white sneakers, you should. Whether you’re the type of person that takes a pair of socks from the drawer and goes “These will do” or the type who buys multiple pairs of single-color socks because then “I’ll always have a pair,” you do you.
But maybe you do want to know what color socks to wear with white sneakers. Clothes might “make the man,” but socks reveal whether or not you care about the way you dress. Contrary to popular belief, white socks with white sneakers aren’t that much better than black socks with white sneakers.
1. White socks
White socks and white sneakers are an icon, a legend, and a moment. Whether you’re wearing a flowy, floral dress, a denim-on-denim ensemble, or a signature Kanye West all-black outfit, you can’t go wrong with white socks and white sneakers.
More times than not, no-show and ankle socks are the way to go. But you can experiment with crew socks or thigh-high socks, too, depending on the rest of the outfit. Before you head out, though, make sure you properly clean your socks and your sneakers – white’s not a forgiving color.
2. Tan, nude, and neutral socks
Depending on what you’re wearing on top, you might want to swap the harsh black socks with something a little lighter. Nude socks with white sneakers are a great way to complement the rest of your outfit when you’re going for the viral old-money aesthetic.
Tans, nudes, and neutrals tend to work together. You can wear a head-to-toe neutral outfit without looking like you don’t know what you’re doing.
Match the color of your socks to the color of your skin and see how expensive your entire ensemble appears.
Whether that’s something to do with the color theory or the way neutrals make you look more put-together, we don’t know. We do know that you should experiment with neutral socks and see for yourself, though.
3. Statement socks
White sneakers are like a blank canvas – you can get creative and combine them with pretty much anything you own.
Whether you prefer feminine dresses or denim shorts, frilly blouses or graphic tees, throw on your favorite white sneakers and you’re ready to take on the day. When you’re feeling extra frisky, you can combine them with statement socks to ensure you stand out wherever you go.
While that might sound a little strange, fashion enthusiasts adore nothing more than hyping up random (a.k.a. expensive) designs. Why not, right? Channel your inner fashionista and opt for bold colors, obnoxious logos, and jewels.
4. Patterned socks
Patterned socks are a great way to show off your personality without breaking dress codes, drawing unwanted attention, or trying too hard. We wear socks on a regular and we don’t even think about them. We put them on and forget about them by the time we’re out the door.
But socks deserve better. Put on a pair of patterned socks and smile every time you catch a glimpse of them. Polka dots, stripes, and flowers are a few of our favorite patterns, but you can go with whatever floats your boat. Superhero, cartoon, and anime socks are neat, too.
5. Sheer socks
Socks and sandals weren’t a fashion faux pas when women rocked sheer socks and tights. Hailey Beiber and Bella Hadid would agree that there’s nothing more attractive a woman can wear than black stilettos and sheer black tights.
Sheer socks are a great way to add some mystery to your outfit, even when you’re wearing something as simple as white sneakers. Sheer black socks and white sneakers work, too.
