It’s hard to say when the whole “funny socks” phenomenon started, but it officially ended on May 4, 2017. That’s the day Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, wearing a conservative charcoal suit. star wars-R2D2 and C-3P0 themed socks. This was not the first time Trudeau was photographed wearing new socks; Her collection included patriotic maple leaves, Pride-friendly rainbows and a red motif for Chinese New Year. But her high-profile embrace of May the Fourth Be With You – and the series of trend pieces it led to circulation, new York TimesAnd other outlets of record marked the moment when the novelty sock went from funky accessory to officially ripe. However, nine years later, after a long palette cleanser of plain white and black athletic socks, stylish people have begun to dip their toes back into the pool of colorful hosiery.
Evidence of this was abundant at Paris Fashion Week, where despite the extreme temperatures, a rainbow of trendy sock options were on display. “You want to zig when everyone else is zag,” says Lawrence SchlossmanCo-host of the Menswear Podcast throwing fitsWho wore several pairs of brightly colored half-calves boots in the French capital. “I used to be someone who primarily wore white socks — the white socks and loafer thing, or white socks with a pair of proper shoes — but it’s become so widespread that you can’t go on Instagram without immediately seeing five other people doing the same thing.”
Courtesy of Lawrence Schlossman
Thanks to style icons from JFK to Tyler, the Creator, the appeal of the black loafer with white socks remains powerful, but for those looking for something a little more cheerful, a colorful sock can take an otherwise monochrome outfit to the next level. “I’ve always loved the look of a pop of color versus a black leather shoe,” he says. hypebeast Editor-in-Chief Madrell Stinney, Joe seen in paris Wearing a white MFpan dress shirt, black shorts and a pair of red Uniqlo socks with a pair of black Homies Chill lace-ups. “This is an easy way to break up an otherwise minimalist outfit. Some of my favorite loafers or derby looks pair jeans or tailored trousers with primary color or pastel socks.”
Schlossman took the opportunity to pick up new pairs of red and magenta hues from famed haberdasher Charvet, but for those who aren’t heading to Paris anytime soon (or don’t wish to spend $60 for a pair of cotton socks), they’ve also had success finding the bright primary color at Ralph Lauren and Amazon. Stinney, meanwhile, leans toward lighter colors like mustard, sage green and lilac, and shops from her wall of perennially stacked socks at Comme C, Drake and Uniqlo.