How to Style Over-the-Knee Socks?

Do you love the high socks trend and want to make it your own? Are you wondering what clothes to pair them with? Or what shoes to wear?

I'll help you out.

As a fashion enthusiast, I have a special fondness for unconventional styles. When styled correctly, knee-high socks can really add a personal touch to your outfit, making it truly unique!

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

High socks are best paired with short clothing like mini skirts, skater dresses, or short shorts. If you prefer a classic and simple style, I recommend choosing high socks in neutral tones (black, grey, brown, navy, burgundy…) that match your shoes. For a more unique look, there are plenty of colourful designs to choose from! Additionally, you can wear a wide variety of shoes: boots, ankle boots, as well as closed-toe heels, sneakers, or flat shoes like loafers or derby shoes.

Want to find out more? Keep reading to discover:

• How high socks enhance an outfit,
• How they accentuate your silhouette,
• What clothes to wear them with for a unique look,
• What colour of socks to choose for your skirt or dress,
• What type of shoes to pair them with depending on your style!

Why Wear High Socks?

Thinking of adding this accessory to your wardrobe? Here are 3 great reasons why you should!

To achieve a cute and trendy look

Wearing knee-high socks with short outfits so that they're fully visible has been a trend that emerged in the 1970s: young women used to wear them with school uniforms as a change from the socks that came below the knee and to keep warm.

If you weren’t around during that time, you might remember this look from the late 90s, featuring iconic outfits like the one worn by Britney Spears in the music video for "Baby One More Time."

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

How to Stay Warm in a Dress or Skirt

When the weather starts getting chilly, high socks are a great alternative to tights for keeping warm. Since they reveal a bit of your legs, you can wear them at the start of autumn or during the first sunny days of spring.

👉 Another tip is to wear them over your tights to keep even warmer. Plus, this will 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 Figure

By drawing attention to your legs, over-the-knee socks enhance your look and slim down your overall silhouette. They’re ideal for balancing an oversized bohemian-style sweater, for instance, while giving you a feminine and elegant vibe.

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

Additionally, high socks are an economical and practical tip to replace thigh-high boots in an outfit. They're easily available at most stores and are suitable for women of all sizes. They're also a bit more modest than knee-high leather boots, making them easier to wear on a daily basis. 😉

What to Wear with Knee-High Socks?

If there's only one tip to remember about wearing knee-high socks, it's this: pair them with short clothing to show off your legs. Here are some stylish outfit examples to help you find a look that suits you!

A Flared Miniskirt

The short pleated or ruffled skirt is perfect to pair with knee-high socks, whether you’re heading out with friends or going on a shopping trip downtown. Inspired by school uniforms, this adorable look is great for showcasing your legs.

👉 This style may not be suitable for all occasions: it's best to avoid it for work or solemn events (funerals, sad occasions...), as it gives off a lighthearted vibe that wouldn't really fit the context.

A skater dress

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

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

A Mini Short

Sassy and summer-ready, mini shorts are perfect for those who want to show off their legs. Pairing them with knee-high socks will add a sporty vibe to your outfit, giving you a dynamic and determined look. This style is great for a chilly summer day out with friends, at the beach, or with family. However, as mentioned earlier, it’s not really suitable for a formal setting.

How to Match Your Socks with Your Outfit?

Whether online or in certain specialty stores that sell underwear and socks, there’s a wide range of high socks available. To help you make your choice, here are a few simple tips.

A neutral colour that works for any occasion for a simple and chic look

If you're aiming for a classic and simple look, I recommend sticking to neutral colours. Black is the primary colour often seen in this kind of outfit, but there are other colours that can work just as well. These include:

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

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

👉 To create a unified look in your outfit and elongate your legs, I recommend choosing socks that match the colour of your shoes. This can also give the illusion of a pair of boots when you're just wearing ankle boots!

Light-Coloured Socks for a Romantic Touch

To create a cute and delicate winter look, you can opt for outfits in bright and pastel shades like:

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

In this case, go for white socks, which will highlight your legs and perfectly complete your look!

Patterns and Colours to Express Your Uniqueness!

Lastly, if you identify with your unique and colourful style, know that a pair of patterned high socks can be a great choice to highlight what makes you special. If you love the kawaii style of Japanese girls, you could go for socks with cute little animal patterns at the top! 😻

What Shoes to Wear with High Socks?

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

Boots

Boots are an obvious choice to wear with knee-high socks, as they keep them nicely in place. Furthermore, the height of the boots, which usually falls around ⅔ the length of the knee-high socks if your boots come just below your knees, creates a proportional look that naturally highlights your legs!

👉 Wondering how to wear rubber boots while keeping it chic? If you let your socks peek out from your boots, your high socks will add a stylish touch to your outfit, so you can look good even when it’s raining!

Boots

Perfect for autumn and spring, ankle boots also pair nicely with knee-high socks, as long as they are in the same colour or 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 you might think, it is definitely possible to wear open-toe shoes with knee-high socks. The only requirement is that the front of the shoes (at your toes) remains closed. By opting for colourful socks that match your stylish heels, you can achieve a look that is both chic and unique, with your shoes providing a nice contrast to the sometimes youthful vibe of the knee-high socks.

Flat shoes

High socks can also be highlighted by pairing them with flat shoes like ballet flats, loafers, derbies, or moccasins. However, I suggest saving this kind of combination for an outfit with a chic dress or a simple and elegant skirt.

Sneakers

Lastly, you can also wear sneakers with a skater skirt and high socks to create a sportswear look! In this case, I recommend wearing 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 suitable for an active girl or young woman in informal settings such as:

• a get-together with friends,
• a sports match,
• a sports-themed party,
• a stroll in the summer or spring…

Knee-High Socks

The over-the-knee socks are comfortable and keep your feet and legs warm during the winter season. They’re a must-have accessory, especially if you often wear skirts and dresses.

You can find plenty of styles in clothing stores, as well as online shops if you prefer to shop from home. For instance, you can check out BaseRange, which offers a variety of different styles. You'll have no trouble finding the design that suits your needs and expectations.

In this online store, you will find:

• Ankle Socks
• Mid-Calf Ribbed Socks
• Socks Above the Ankle

You can find a variety of colours like pink, grey, and even black and white. Plus, there’s something for every budget. Order now and enjoy free delivery for purchases of at least 80 euros. You'll benefit from fast shipping and delivery.

Additionally, choosing BaseRange means you're opting for quality as well. In fact, the knee-high socks from this brand will provide you with optimal comfort. It's important to feel good and not wear socks that are scratchy or irritating to your skin.

That’s why BaseRange is committed to providing you with top-quality products every day, so you feel good throughout your day. Our over-the-knee socks will keep you properly covered. This is especially useful for sports. For instance, if you’re into extreme sports or skateboarding, these socks can help protect you from certain injuries. Plus, it's a new trend that’s becoming 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 pair perfectly with high socks or any other type of accessories! Our online store offers a wide range of designs, handpicked by us for their uniqueness and elegance!

Long Bohemian Dress