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 them with? What shoes should you choose?

I will help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I have a special fondness for unusual styles. When paired correctly with an outfit, over-the-knee socks can truly personalise your look and give it a unique flair!

That’s why today, I’m sharing 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 a pair of shorts. If you're aiming for a classic and simple style, I recommend choosing high socks in neutral tones (black, grey, brown, navy blue, burgundy, etc.) that match your shoes. If you prefer a more original look, there are plenty of colourful designs available! Lastly, you can pair them with a wide variety of shoes: boots, ankle boots, as well as closed-toe heels, sneakers, or flat shoes like loafers or brogues.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

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

Why wear high socks?

Are you considering 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 short clothing so that they are fully visible is a trend that emerged in the 1970s: young women wore them with school uniforms to switch things up from knee-high socks and to keep warm.

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

High socks add a cute and youthful touch to an outfit: they tone down a short and sexy skirt while bringing a fresh element to your look.

How to Stay 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 reveal the tops of your legs, they can be perfect for early autumn or the first lovely days of spring.

👉 Another tip is to wear them over your tights for extra warmth. Additionally, this will help prevent them from slipping, especially if you’re wearing textured tights (like polka dots, fishnet, stripes, etc.)!

To tone your legs and enhance your figure

By drawing attention to your legs, knee-high socks highlight them and enhance your overall silhouette. They are perfect for balancing out an oversized, bohemian-style sweater, for instance, and give you a feminine and elegant look.

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

Additionally, thigh-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 suit women of all sizes. They are also a bit more subtle than leather knee-high boots, making them easier to wear on a daily basis. 😉

What clothing to wear with knee-high socks?

If you remember only one piece of advice about wearing high socks, let it be this: pair them with shorter outfits to enhance your legs. Here are some stylish outfit examples to help you find a look that suits you!

A Flared Mini Skirt

The short pleated or ruffled skirt is perfect for pairing with knee-high socks, whether you're going out with friends or enjoying a shopping spree in the city. Inspired by school uniforms, this adorable look is ideal for showing off your legs.

👉 This style isn't necessarily suitable for every occasion: it's best to avoid it for work or 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 dressed up compared to wearing a skirt. This allows for a cohesive look: pairing knee-high socks with stylish shoes and a chic dress adds a refreshing vibe to your entire 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 add a sporty vibe to your look, giving you a dynamic and determined appearance. This outfit is ideal for a slightly cool summer day with friends at the beach or a family outing. However, as mentioned earlier, it's not quite suitable for a more formal setting.

How to match your socks to your outfit?

Whether online or in specialty stores that sell 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 to achieve a classic and simple look, I recommend opting for neutral colours. Black is the primary colour commonly found in this type of attire, but others can also work quite well. These include:

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

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

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

Light-coloured socks for a romantic touch

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

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

In this case, choose white socks, which will enhance your legs and perfectly complement your look!

Patterns and colours to express your uniqueness!

Finally, if you express yourself through your unique and vibrant style, know that a pair of patterned knee-high socks can be a great ally to showcase what makes you unique. If you love the kawaii style of Japanese girls, you might want to choose socks with cute little animal patterns on the top! 😻

What shoes should you wear with high socks?

To wrap up this article, I'm sharing a curated selection of shoes that you can pair with your high socks to create a stylish and elegant outfit.

Boots

Boots are a clear choice to wear with knee-high socks, as they keep them securely in place. Additionally, their height, which usually reaches about ⅔ up the height of the socks if your boots sit below the knee, creates a proportion that naturally enhances your legs!

👉 Are you wondering how to wear gumboots while still looking stylish? If you let them peek out from your boots, your knee-high socks will add a touch of flair to your outfit, ensuring you look great even when it’s raining!

Boots

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

High Heels

Contrary to what one might think, it is completely possible to wear open-toed shoes with high socks. The only requirement is that the toes of the shoes need to remain covered. By choosing colourful socks that match lovely heels, you can achieve a look that is both stylish and unique, with your shoes contrasting the sometimes youthful vibe of the high socks.

Flat Shoes

Long socks are best paired with flat shoes such as ballet flats, Oxford shoes, Derby shoes, or loafers. However, I recommend saving this combination for a slightly dressy outfit, such as a nice dress or a simple, elegant skirt.

Some Sneakers

Lastly, you can also wear sneakers 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. This type of outfit is more suited for a young girl or young woman who is active, in informal settings such as:

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

Knee-High Socks

Above-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 a wide variety of styles in clothing stores, as well as online shops if you prefer not to go out. For instance, check out the BaseRange store, which offers several different styles. Indeed, you won’t have any trouble finding the style that suits your needs and expectations.

In this online store, you will find:

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

You'll find a variety of colours such as pink, grey, and black and white. Plus, there are options to suit all budgets. Order now and enjoy free delivery for orders over 80 euros. You'll benefit from fast shipping and delivery.

Furthermore, choosing BaseRange also means opting for quality. Indeed, the knee-high socks from this brand will provide you with optimal comfort. It’s important to feel good and not wear socks that irritate or scratch your skin.

This is why BaseRange is committed to providing you with one of the best qualities daily, ensuring you feel comfortable throughout your day. Knee-high socks will give you the coverage you need, which is particularly handy for sports. For instance, if you engage in extreme sports or skateboarding, they can help protect you from certain injuries. Additionally, this is 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, helping you 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 knee-high socks or any other type of accessories! Our online store offers numerous styles, carefully selected for their uniqueness and elegance!

Bohemian Long Dress