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 pair them with? What about shoes?

I'm here to help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I have a particular fondness for unconventional styles. When styled correctly, over-the-knee socks can really personalise your outfit and give it a unique flair!

That's why today I'm presenting you with this comprehensive guide dedicated to them, featuring outfit examples and practical tips.

High socks are best worn with shorter clothing, such as a mini skirt, a skater dress, or even a pair of shorts. If you want to maintain a classic and simple style, I recommend choosing high socks in neutral tones (black, grey, brown, navy, burgundy…) that match your shoes. If you’re leaning towards a more unique look, there are plenty of colourful options available! Finally, you can pair them with a wide range of footwear: boots, ankle boots, as well as closed-toe heels, trainers, or flat shoes like loafers or brogues.

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

• 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 footwear to pair them with according to your style!

Why wear over-the-knee socks?

Are you thinking of adding this accessory to your wardrobe? In the following lines, discover three great reasons to do so!

To achieve a cute and trendy look

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

If you weren't born in that era, you might remember this look from the late 90s, featuring iconic outfits like the one worn by Britney Spears in the video for “Baby One More Time.”

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

Staying Warm in a Dress or Skirt

When the weather starts to turn chilly, 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 lovely days of spring.

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

To Tone Your Legs and Enhance Your Outfit

By drawing attention to your legs, thigh-high socks enhance your look and elongate your silhouette. They are ideal for balancing out an oversized, bohemian-style jumper, for instance, giving you a feminine and stylish appearance.

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

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

What clothing to wear with knee-high socks?

If you’re going to remember just one piece of advice about knee-high socks, it’s this: wear them with short clothing to enhance your legs. Here are some stylish outfit examples to help you find the look that suits you best!

A flared mini skirt

The short pleated or frilled skirt is perfect to pair with knee-high socks, whether you're heading out with friends or enjoying a shopping trip in town. Inspired by school uniforms, this adorable look will be just right for showcasing your legs.

👉 This style isn't necessarily suitable for all occasions: it's best to avoid it for going to work or for solemn events (funerals, sad occasions…), as it conveys a sense of lightness that wouldn't really fit the context.

A skater dress

The result you get with a dress is often a bit more formal than with a skirt. This allows you to create a cohesive look: pairing knee-high socks with stylish shoes and a chic dress adds a fresh touch to your overall outfit.

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

A Mini Short

Sassy and summery, the mini shorts are the perfect outfit for those looking to show off their legs. Pairing them with knee-high socks will give your outfit a sporty twist, resulting in a vibrant and determined look. This style is ideal for a slightly cool summer day with friends, at the beach, or with family. However, as mentioned earlier, it's not really suitable for overly formal settings.

How to Match Your Socks with Your Outfit?

Whether online or in certain specialist shops for underwear and socks, there is a wide variety of high socks available. To help you make your choice, here are some simple tips.

A neutral colour for a simple and chic look

If you're looking for a classic and simple style, I recommend opting for neutral colours. Black is the primary colour associated with this type of outfit, but other shades can work just as well. These include:

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

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

👉 To create a cohesive look in your outfit and lengthen your legs, I recommend choosing socks in the same colour as your shoes. This can also help you achieve 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 opt for outfits made up of bright and pastel shades such as:

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

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

Patterns and Colours to Showcase Your Uniqueness!

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

What shoes should I wear with long socks?

To wrap up this article, I’ll share a selection of shoes that you can pair with your over-the-knee socks, creating a stylish and elegant outfit.

Boots

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

👉 Wondering how to wear wellies and still look stylish? Let them peek out from your boots, and your long socks will add a touch of flair to your outfit, so you can look lovely even when it's raining!

Ankle boots

Perfect for autumn and spring, ankle boots also pair nicely with high socks, provided they are 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 is entirely possible to wear open-toed shoes with long socks. The only requirement is that the front of the shoes (around your toes) remains closed. By opting for colourful socks that match lovely high heels, you can achieve a look that is both chic and unique, with your shoes providing a contrast to the sometimes youthful vibe of the long socks.

Flats

High socks will also be complemented by flat shoes such as ballet flats, brogues, derby shoes, or loafers. However, I recommend reserving this type of pairing for outfits featuring a slightly fancy dress or a simple, elegant skirt.

Sneakers

Finally, you can also wear trainers with a skater skirt and knee-high socks to create a sportswear look! In this case, I recommend white or black socks, which you can pair with a slightly oversized sweatshirt that falls over your short skirt. However, this type of outfit is more suited for a young girl or young woman who is active, in a casual context such as:

• a day out with friends,
• a sporting match,
• a themed sports night,
• a stroll in summer or spring…

Knee-High Socks

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

You'll find numerous styles in clothing stores, as well as online shops if you'd prefer not to go out. For example, there's the BaseRange shop, which offers a variety of different styles. In fact, you won't have any trouble finding a style that meets your needs and expectations.

On this online shop, you will find:

• Ankle Socks
• Crew Length Ribbed Socks
• Socks Above the Ankle

You’ll find a variety of colours including pink, grey, white, and black. Additionally, there are options available for all budgets. Order now and enjoy free delivery on orders over €80. You’ll benefit from quick shipping and delivery.

Furthermore, choosing BaseRange means choosing quality. Indeed, the brand's knee-high socks provide optimal comfort. It’s important to feel good and not to wear socks that scratch, pinch, or irritate your skin.

That's why BaseRange is dedicated to providing you with one of the best quality options, so you can feel great throughout your day. Knee-high socks will keep you well covered, which is particularly handy for sports. For instance, if you're into extreme sports or skateboarding, they can help protect you from certain injuries. Furthermore, this is a new trend that's increasingly popular in summer, especially when paired with shorts.

I hope this article has given you 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 shop offers a wide range of styles, carefully selected for their originality and elegance!

Long Bohemian Dress