How to Wear Knee-High Socks?

Do you love the high sock trend and want to make it your own? Are you wondering what clothes to wear with them? What about shoes?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I have a special fondness for unique styles. When styled correctly, knee-high socks can truly personalize your outfit and give it a distinctive flair!

That’s why today, I’m excited to share this comprehensive guide dedicated to them, featuring outfit examples and practical tips.

Over-the-knee socks are typically worn with shorter garments, such as a mini skirt, a skater dress, or a pair of shorts. If you want to maintain a classic and simple style, I recommend choosing over-the-knee socks in neutral tones (black, grey, brown, navy, burgundy…) that match your shoes. If you prefer a more unique look, there are plenty of colorful styles available! Finally, you can pair them with a wide variety of footwear: boots, ankle boots, as well as closed-toe heels, sneakers, or flat shoes like loafers or oxfords.

Would you like to learn more? Keep reading to find out:

• What high socks bring to an outfit,
• How they enhance your silhouette,
• What clothing to wear them with for a unique look,
• What colour of socks to choose with your skirt or dress,
• What type of shoe to wear with them based on your style!

Why Wear High Socks?

Would you like to add this accessory to your wardrobe? In the following lines, discover three great reasons to do so!

To achieve a cute and trendy look

Wearing knee-high socks with short clothing so that they are fully visible is a trend that emerged in the 1970s: young women wore them with school uniforms as a change from socks that came below the knee and to keep warm.

If you weren't born during that time, you may remember this look from the late 1990s, featuring iconic outfits like the one worn by Britney Spears in the "Baby One More Time" music video.

High socks add a cute and youthful touch to an outfit: they balance out a short and sexy skirt while bringing a refreshing element to your ensemble.

Staying Warm in a Dress or Skirt

As the weather starts to cool down, knee-high socks are a great alternative to tights for keeping warm. Since they show off the tops of your legs, you can wear them at the beginning of autumn or during the first sunny days of spring.

👉 Another tip is to wear them over your tights to keep even warmer. Additionally, this will help prevent them from sliding down, especially if you're wearing textured tights (like polka dots, fishnet, or striped ones...)!

To Tone Your Legs and Enhance Your Outfit

By drawing attention to your legs, over-the-knee socks enhance your appearance and refine your overall silhouette. They are perfect for balancing out an oversized, bohemian-style sweater, for instance, giving you a feminine and elegant look.

👉 Do you love the oversized style? Check out our article dedicated to it!

Additionally, over-the-knee socks are a cost-effective and practical tip for replacing thigh-high boots in an outfit. They are easy to find in most stores and are suitable for women of all sizes. They also tend to be a bit more modest than leather knee-high boots, making them easier to wear on a daily basis. 😉

What Clothing to Wear with Knee-High Socks?

If you take away just one piece of advice about wearing knee-high socks, let it be this: wear them with short clothing to accentuate your legs. Here are a few stylish outfit examples to help you find the look that suits you best!

A Flared Mini Skirt

The short pleated or flared skirt is perfect to pair with knee-high socks, whether you're heading out with friends or going for a shopping spree in the city. Inspired by school uniforms, this adorable look will be great for showcasing your legs.

👉 This style is not necessarily suitable for all occasions: it's best to avoid it for work or formal events (funerals, sad occasions, etc.), as it conveys a sense of lightness that may not be appropriate for the context.

A skater dress

The result you get with a dress is often a little more polished than with a skirt. This allows you to create a cohesive look: knee-high socks paired with shoes and a stylish dress add a fresh touch to your entire outfit.

This type of outfit is perfect for a first date or a night out with friends.

A Mini Short

Flirty and summery, the mini shorts are a perfect outfit for those looking to show off their legs. Pairing them with knee-high socks adds a sporty touch to your ensemble, giving you a dynamic and determined look. This style is great for a slightly cool summer day with friends, at the beach, or with family. However, as mentioned earlier, it's not really suitable for more formal settings.

How to Match Your Socks with Your Outfit?

Whether online or in certain specialty stores for underwear and socks, there is a wide variety of knee-high sock styles available. To help you make your choice, here are some simple tips.

A versatile neutral colour for a simple and chic look

If you're aiming for a classic and simple look, I recommend opting for neutral colours. Black is the primary colour often used in this type of outfit, but there are several other options that work well too. Among them are:

• navy blue,
• grey,
• brown,
• beige,
• burgundy red.

These are colours that don’t clash violently with others, allowing you to highlight the rest of your outfit.

👉 To create a sense of unity in your outfit and elongate your legs, I recommend choosing socks that match the color of your shoes. This can also help you create the illusion of wearing a pair of boots with just ankle boots!

Light-coloured socks for a romantic touch

To create an adorable and delicate winter look, you can choose to wear outfits featuring bright and pastel shades such as:

• light pink,
• white,
• beige,
• ecru,
• light brown…

In this case, choose white socks, which will highlight your legs and perfectly complete your outfit!

Patterns and Colours to Showcase Your Originality!

Finally, if you define yourself by your unique and colorful look, know that a pair of patterned knee-high socks can be a great ally in showcasing what makes you special. If you love the kawaii style of Japanese girls, for instance, you might choose socks with cute little animal patterns at the top! 😻

What Shoes to Wear with Knee-High Socks?

To conclude this article, I’d like to share a selection of shoes that you can pair with your knee-high socks to create a stylish and elegant outfit.

Boots

Boots are a clear choice to wear with knee-high socks, as they hold them securely in place. Additionally, their height, which is typically around ⅔ the height of the knee-high socks if your boots sit below your knee, creates a proportional balance that naturally highlights your legs!

👉 Are you wondering how to wear rubber boots while still looking stylish? By letting them peek out above your boots, your tall socks will elevate your outfit and help you stay fashionable, even on rainy days!

Ankle Boots

Perfect for autumn and spring, ankle boots pair very well with knee-high socks, as long as they are of the same colour or in a similar shade. If possible, choose ankle boots with heels, as they will elongate your legs and give you a very feminine posture.

Pumps

Contrary to what one might think, it’s entirely possible to wear open-toed shoes with knee-high socks. The only requirement is that the front of the shoes (at the toe area) remains closed. By choosing colourful socks that match a nice pair of heels, you can create a look that is both chic and unique, with your shoes providing a contrast to the sometimes youthful vibe of the knee-high socks.

Flat Shoes

Thigh-high socks can also be beautifully showcased with flat shoes like ballet flats, oxfords, derby shoes, or loafers. However, I recommend reserving this type of pairing for outfits featuring a slightly dressy dress or a simple, elegant skirt.

Sneakers

Finally, you can also pair sneakers with a skater skirt and knee-high socks to create a sportswear look! In this case, I recommend white or black socks to match with a slightly oversized sweatshirt that falls over your short skirt. This kind of outfit is best suited for a young girl or a young woman who is active, in informal settings such as:

• a night out with friends,
• a sports match,
• a sports-themed evening,
• a stroll in the summer or spring…

Over-the-Knee Socks

Over-the-knee socks are comfortable and help keep your feet and legs warm during the winter months. They are an essential accessory, especially if you often wear skirts and dresses.

You will find numerous styles in clothing stores, as well as in online shops if you prefer not to go out. For example, there's the BaseRange shop which offers several different styles. Indeed, you'll have no trouble finding the style that meets your needs and expectations.

In this online store, you will find:

• Ankle Socks
• Cable-Knit Crew Socks
• Above-Ankle Socks

You will find a wide array of colours including pink, grey, as well as black and white. Additionally, there are options available for every budget. Order now, and shipping is free for orders over 80 euros. You'll enjoy fast shipping and delivery.

Additionally, choosing BaseRange means choosing a certain level of quality. In fact, the knee-high socks from this brand will provide you with optimal comfort. It's important to feel good and avoid wearing socks that itch or irritate your skin.

That's why BaseRange is dedicated every day to providing you with one of the best qualities, ensuring you feel great throughout your day. Knee-high socks will keep you properly covered, which is especially useful for sports activities. For instance, if you participate in extreme sports or skateboarding, these socks can help protect you from certain injuries. Additionally, they're becoming a new trend, increasingly worn in summer, particularly with shorts.

I hope this article has provided you with plenty of ideas on how to pair high socks and incorporate them into your wardrobe, allowing you to create a unique and feminine style!

To complete your outfits, check out our dresses and skirts in a bohemian style, which will pair perfectly with over-the-knee socks or any other type of accessories! Our online boutique offers a wide variety of styles, carefully selected for their uniqueness and elegance!

Long Bohemian Dress