Would You Ever Wear Socks With Sandals?

Updated on 10/29/2014 at 7:00 AM

Teva

We admit it: we've dipped our toe into the shallow end of the "normcore" pool for a while now. First, when we decided — along with Givenchy, Isabel Marant, and the Olsen twins — that Birkenstocks were cool again and then when we started pairing them with faded mom jeans. By the time we started rocking Tevas, that '90s Summer camp staple we swore we'd never speak of again, we were sandal-deep in that pool. And now, it's looking as if that sandal comes with socks.

That's right: the latest wave of the ugly-chic shoe trend — perfectly timed with the transition to Fall and Winter weather — is all about wearing socks with sandals. (Cue awkward dads everywhere saying, "I told you so.")

The Teva team has collaborated with Woolrich on a side-by-side collection of the sport sandal and complementary wool-blend socks, with each pairing costing a cool $65. But how do you even begin to style this throwback trend? That part comes free. Two brave fashion stylists have created some promising looks to ease us into the idea, and they've even doled out tips on how to keep working the latest look in the normcore movement all year long. See those, and real-girl styling techniques, below.

"I love the idea of appropriating a Summer staple for Fall," stylist and fashion editor Elizabeth Stewart said. Pair a black shift dress with a slouchy bomber jacket, and the sock-and-sandal accessory blends right in.

"I bring in a lot of neutrals because socks-and-sandals is the statement," said Teva stylist Kira Sheppard.

It might be too cold to wear your denim cutoff shorts with sandals, but layering a moto jacket and, of course, some wool socks might help keep your temperature up.

Prefer going for a smart, layered look? "Any outfit with a sweater or cardigan looks great with the socks," Stewart said.

For a more feminine look, lengthen the socks — instead of scrunching — for a knee-high effect.

"I tend to use something vintage, something new, something with a lot of texture," Sheppard said of her go-to pairing pieces.

Don't think you have to go completely casual when venturing into sock-and-sandal territory. Pairing a bold patterned sock with a monochromatic dress can complete a look.

Ready to take your socks and sandals to the office? Dress them up with a shorts suit! "Try shorts in a heavier fabrication," Stewart said. "Pair them with just the socks or layer the socks over the tights on a colder day."