In case you missed Prada’s spring 2017 collection at Milan Men’s Fashion Week, the rumors are true: socks with sandals are a menswear trend this year. With casual and athleisure styles continuing to explode in mainstream fashion, it’s not surprising to see this former faux pas get a moment in the sun. However, don’t reach for those Birkenstocks just yet—this look will only work in certain style contexts, and is not for fashion beginners. I recommend treading softly (no pun intended!), unless you’re a man of edgy, high-fashion sensibilities—or someone who is an advanced athleisure dresser.
If you’re looking to take a risk, here are some suggestions for trying this trend:
- Want to add some socks to your athleisure outfit? Aim to sport recognizable labels or luxury brands, like Nike or Calvin Klein.
- To sprinkle some runway steeze into your street style look, pick out brightly colored Velcro sandals, and pair with sleek black socks. Or, swap the color scheme: eye-catching socks with black-strapped sandals would work just as well.
- Never go for no-show or knee-high socks if you’re wearing this look with shorts. Keep the sock length at or around your ankle.
- Only wear this look casually, or before or after the gym. This isn’t for the office or date night.
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