Spot the millennial! How your choice of socks reveals your age

Posted by SOCKSHOP

Ever looked around at a gym class and noticed that everyone else has their socks pulled up? You’ve been happily doing your planks and reverse curls in your invisible sports socks, then you realise there’s a sock divide! 

In fact, the socks you choose and how you wear them can reveal much more about you than you realise...

What’s the generational sock divide?

Urban myth has it that millennials, born 1981 to 1996, are most likely to be seen wearing trainer socks, also known as no-show socks or secret socks, than other age groups. 

Conversely, the next generation down, Gen Z, born 1997-2012, like to wear very visible socks – usually crew socks, pulled up high to the lower- or mid-calf. You’re unlikely to see someone of that age flaunting a bare ankle. However, you may see them in a lacy or sheer ankle sock.

The main reason for this trend is early 90s nostalgia. Crew socks were last in fashion in the late 80s and early 90s: think Madonna rocking green crew socks and heels in the Borderline video in 1984 and Michael Jordan’s trademark thick white socks in the NBA’s iconic 90-91 season.

When did the sock divide begin?

Ankle and trainer socks have been going out of fashion for a few years and now they’re firmly in the ‘not-cool’ category. However, that’s not a concern for many millennials, who are still proudly wearing trainer socks to work, on date nights and down the gym. 

For people born before 1997, the non-visible sock is a hard habit to break as, in the 90s and early 00s when millennials grew up, visible socks were a fashion faux pas – only being worn by hikers and so-called ‘anoraks’.

What are the advantages of wearing crew socks?

There are some pros to wearing crew socks rather than ankle socks. The obvious one is that they keep your ankles and your lower leg warm in chilly temperatures. Some people think that they’re more flattering than ankle socks or that they look better with certain outfits, but that depends if you care about looking a particular way, which a lot of Gen Zers don’t.

One disadvantage of crew socks is temperature regulation, particularly if your socks are thick and you’re playing sport or walking medium to long distances.

How do I start transitioning to crew socks?

It’s easier than you think to try the Gen Z crew socks trend, and if you don’t like it, you can simply go back to ankle socks the next day, no harm done! A useful stylist tip is to start simple with a plain or ribbed crew sock in a neutral colour like white or black. As a next step you could add a small embellishment to your crew socks, like a cherry motif.

Who knows, eventually you might be wearing crew socks effortlessly like the world’s most famous millennial, Taylor Swift, who clearly got over the so-called generational sock divide. Despite being born in 1989, Taylor is regularly spotted in a range of visible socks, from autumnal-coloured knee-high socks with preppy shoes like brogues to sparkly pink mesh crew socks in the Fate of Ophelia music video. If you’re inspired by Taylor’s style, you could embrace the embellished sock trend with these frilly ankle socks.

Once you’re fully on board with the trend for longer socks pulled up tightly, you could make your look even more intentional with some eye-catching slogan socks. Bonus points if you manage to combine a funny slogan with this year’s neon colour trend.

So, which camp are you in? Are you team ankles-in or team ankles-out? Either way we have a brilliant selection of socks to suit every outfit. 

FAQs

What should I wear with crew socks?

Anything goes in terms of both outfits and choice of footwear. You can wear crew socks with trainers, slides and even heels. If you want to look young and trendy, or if you simply want to try having warm ankles for a change, why not give it a try?

And if you’re shopping for children, we have a range of cute and colourful kids’ mid-length socks[CM12.1] for the generation that is yet to decide its sock-length allegiance.

Is it OK to still wear trainer socks?

Of course, in today’s world of fashion anything goes. If you’re happy with your trainer socks, then you do you. In fact, we have a large range of trainer socks to choose from, including:
•    Men’s speckled bamboo trainer socks
•    Men’s Glenmuir ‘secret socks’ – patterned or plain
•    Women’s retro Coca-Cola ‘flowers’ trainer socks
•    Women’s ‘Friends’ trainer socks (flaunt your millennial pride to the world!) 

Should sports socks be visible?

Previously, sport socks were worn inside the shoe with little to none of the sock showing; hence the term ‘secret sock’. Today, anything goes and for most sports – even tennis – it doesn’t really matter which style or length of socks you wear, it’s simply a matter of taste. However, some people do prefer trainer socks (or invisible socks) for activities like yoga or running.