There are a handful of style choices that seem to send people into uncontrollable rage – double denim, bootcut jeans, camouflage anything, platform shoes – the list goes on, but sitting proudly at the top of it is always socks and sandals. The two items on their own, people have no issue with. Sandals? Fine. Socks? Completely normal. But combine them, and you’re guaranteed to send friends, family members and total strangers into a state of frenzy.
We don’t buy into the outrage. In fact, we’re pro socks-and-sandals. Sometimes your trotters aren’t quite photo-ready, but you still want to break out your favourite sandals. More importantly, though, the combination opens the door to some seriously good below-the-knee styling.
Matching your socks to a tiny pop of colour or a brand hit on your sandals is outrageously stylish. Laugh all they want on public transport – they’ll be doing it too in fifteen years. Probably.
So to celebrate one of the biggest ‘sins’ on the style smorgasbord, here are six of our favourite sock and sandal combos.
KEEN Newport + Klattermusen Vestre Socks
The Newport is a certified icon in the sandal world, and those little pops of yellow on the KEEN logo and that weird exclamation mark on the toebox open up a whole host of potential sock combinations. We’ve opted for the Klatermusen Vestre in a sort of desaturated yellow, because matching the exact shade on the KEEN logo would’ve been far too obvious.
Nike ACG Air Deschutz + Big Rock Candy Mountaineering Big Rock Socks
Here’s a combo that could convert even the most devoted sock-and-sandal sceptics. Just look at the synergy going on here – the purple and orange of the Deschutz paired with the flecked purple Big Rock socks is simply sublime. Sensational stuff.
Montbell Sock-On-Sandals + Montbell Merino Wool Walking Socks
We’ve developed a newfound respect for Montbell after discovering they make a pair of sandals practically begging to be worn with socks. Naturally, we’ve paired the Sock-On Sandals with Montbell’s Merino Walking Socks, which go together better than a mint imperial after a plateful of Chinese food.
Bedrock Cairn Evo 3D Pro Sandals + Danner Hike Merino Sock
Bedrock’s Cairn Evo 3D Pro is made for exactly the kind of terrain illustrated on these Danner socks. Lightweight traction below the ankle and breathable merino comfort above the ankle make this combo ready for just about everything.
Merrell Kahuna III + Montbell Merino Trekking 5 Toe Socks
Essentially, what we’ve done here is taken an already weird pair of Merrell sandals and asked ourselves: how can we make them even weirder? The answer was a pair of Montbell 5 Toe Socks. Joking aside, we think this is a brilliantly bold combination, but don’t be surprised if it turns more than a few heads. And possibly loses you a few friends too.
Teva Original Universal Sandal + William Ellery Brushtail Socks
Undoubtedly the most distinguished pairing on our list, this Teva & William Ellery combination looks like something your cool Geography teacher would wear on a school trip to London. Not a single tree or ray of sunshine in sight, but that hardly matters with a duo this good.
