How to Style Knee-High Socks?

Do you love the trend of knee-high socks and want to make it your own? Are you wondering what clothes to wear them with? Which shoes should you choose?

I am here to help you.

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

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

High socks are typically worn with shorter garments, such as a mini skirt, a skater dress, or a pair of short shorts. If you want to maintain a classic and simple style, I suggest opting for high socks in neutral tones (black, grey, brown, navy blue, burgundy…) that match your shoes. If you prefer a more original look, there are plenty of colourful designs available! Ultimately, you can pair them with a wide variety of shoes: boots, ankle boots, as well as closed-toe heels, trainers, or flat shoes such as loafers or brogues.

Would you like to know more? Continue reading to find out:

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

Why Wear High Socks?

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

To achieve a cute and trendy look

Wearing knee-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 a change from socks that come just below the knee and to keep their legs warm.

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

Long socks add a cute and youthful touch to an outfit: they balance out a short and sexy skirt while bringing a sense of freshness to your ensemble.

How to Stay Warm in a Dress or Skirt

As the weather starts to get colder, knee-high socks are a great alternative to tights for keeping warm. Since they reveal the top of your legs, you can wear them at the beginning of autumn or on the first lovely days of spring.

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

To Tone Your Legs and Structure Your Outfit

By drawing attention to your legs, knee-high socks enhance them and create a more refined silhouette. They are perfect for balancing out an oversized, bohemian-style jumper, for instance, giving you a feminine and elegant look.

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

Additionally, high socks are a cost-effective and practical tip for substituting thigh-high 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 knee-high leather boots, making them easier to wear on a daily basis. 😉

What clothing to wear with sock-type tights?

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

A Flared Mini Skirt

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

👉 This style is not necessarily suitable for all occasions: it is best avoided for work or solemn events (funerals, sad occasions, etc.), as it conveys a sense of lightness that wouldn't be appropriate for the context.

A skater dress

The result achieved with a dress is often slightly more formal than with a skirt. This allows for a cohesive outfit: the knee-high socks, worn with shoes and a stylish dress, add a touch of freshness to your overall look.

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

A Mini Short

Sizzling and summery, the mini shorts are the perfect outfit for those looking to show off their legs. Knee-high socks will add a sporty edge to your ensemble, giving you a dynamic 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 a more formal setting.

How to Match Your Socks to 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 a few simple tips.

A versatile neutral colour for a simple and chic look

If you want a classic and simple look, I recommend opting for neutral colours. Black is the primary colour commonly found in this style of outfit, but other shades can also work well. These include:

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

They are colours that do not 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 colour 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 might consider wearing outfits in bright and pastel shades such as:

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

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

Patterns and Colours to Showcase Your Uniqueness!

Finally, if you define yourself by your unique and colourful 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 young Japanese girls, you could, for instance, choose socks with little animal patterns at the top! 😻

What shoes should you wear with high socks?

To conclude this article, I have put together a small selection of shoes that you can pair with your knee-high socks to create a stylish and elegant outfit.

Boots

Boots are an obvious choice to wear with knee-high socks, as they hold them securely in place. Moreover, their height, typically reaching around two-thirds of the height of the socks if your boots sit below your knee, provides a proportional relationship that naturally highlights your legs!

👉 Are you wondering how to wear rubber boots while still looking stylish? If you let them peek out from your boots, your knee-high socks can dress them up and add flair to your outfit, so you can look lovely even when it's raining!

Boots

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

High Heels

Contrary to what one might imagine, it is quite possible to wear open-toed shoes with high socks. The only requirement is that the toe area of the shoes (where your toes are) remains closed. By opting for colourful socks that match some lovely heels, you can achieve a look that is both chic and original, with your shoes providing a contrast to the somewhat youthful vibe of the high socks.

Flat Shoes

High socks will also be enhanced by flat shoes such as ballet flats, lace-ups, derby shoes, or loafers. However, I recommend reserving this type of pairing for an outfit with a slightly chic dress or with a simple and elegant skirt.

Trainers

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 drapes over your short skirt. However, this type of outfit is more suitable for a young girl or a young woman who is active, in a casual setting such as:

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

Knee-High Socks

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

You will find a wide range of designs in clothing stores, as well as online shops if you prefer not to go out. For instance, you can check out BaseRange, which offers several different styles. Indeed, you won't have any trouble finding a design that meets your needs and expectations.

In this online shop, you will find:

• Ankle Socks
• Cable Knit Crew Socks
• Over-The-Ankle Socks

You will find a wide range of colours including pink, grey, and black and white. Furthermore, there are options to suit every budget. Order now and enjoy free delivery for orders over £80. You will benefit from fast shipping and delivery.

Furthermore, choosing BaseRange also means choosing a certain level of quality. Indeed, the brand's knee-high socks will provide you with optimal comfort. It's essential to feel good and to avoid wearing socks that scratch, pinch, or irritate your skin.

That’s why BaseRange is committed to providing you with one of the highest qualities to ensure you feel good throughout your day. Knee-high socks will keep you suitably covered. This is particularly useful for engaging in sports. For instance, if you participate in extreme sports or skateboarding, they can help protect you from certain injuries. Furthermore, it’s a new trend that is 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, discover our dresses and skirts in a bohemian style, which pair perfectly with over-the-knee socks or any other type of accessories! Our online shop offers a wide range of models, carefully selected for their originality and elegance!

Bohemian Long Dress