As the socks and sandals craze become a mainstay in menswear in spite of heated debate over their appeal, its evident return for Spring Summer 2021 reflects a disobedience in forms and culture. So how did it become cool to wear something once widely stigmatised before?
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Pictured above: Hermès Leather sandals; Stylist’s own socks
The socks and sandals trend was widely known as a taboo in fashion. Often regarded as weird, quirky, or perhaps contagiously unfashionable, the idea of wearing open-toed footwear with a pair of socks spent a decade to convince people that it’s actually cool. This season, Houses such as Dior Men and Fendi have challenged the trend to its ultimate test — the runway. You might be thinking, wouldn’t it look strange? Wouldn’t I look ill-fitted and underdressed? The solution is simple: pair the most upscale, detailed sandals with matching socks. That way, critics will be easily convinced of its properness. Just avoid slippers all together
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Fendi Rubber and nylon crotchet slip-on slippers; Stylist’s own socks
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Dolce&Gabbana Leather sandals; Stylist’s own socks
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Saint Laurent Mink fur slip-on sliders; Stylist’s own socks
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Ermenegildo Zegna XXX Leather sandals
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Dior Men Atlas rubber and nylon sandals, wool-blend socks
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Photography Erwin Canuela
Art Direction Izwan Abdullah
Styling Manfred Lu
A version of this story about the socks and sandals craze in Spring Summer 2021 first appeared in the April 2021 issue of Men’s Folio Singapore.
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