Much like kitten heels, bumbags and Crocs, the pairing of socks and sandals – once derided as a sartorial sin – has slowly made its way back into fashion. Now the epitome of comfort and cool, there’s nothing more chic than donning grey cable knit socks with your Birkenstock Bostons , and nothing more zeitgeisty than teaming your tie-dye Aries with your Tevas .
Once the preserve of tourist dads, the rise of the ugly shoe and the death of the heel ushered in a new set of priorities for our feet: comfort first . The catwalks of SS20 reflected the so-bad-it’s-good pairing, with everyone from Burberry to Fendi and Gucci getting in on the action.
Now is the perfect time to embrace the best-foot-first look, as being on lockdown has made us forget what wearing shoes feels like. Slippers are the coziest option, sure, but in order to maintain some semblance of reality, we take those off when our working day begins and slip them back on when we log off.
While Birkenstocks, Suicoke, Tevas, Arizona Love and Crocs may get the most airtime, there’s a whole host of sandals that make the best companion for your socks – whether they’re hand-knitted, tie-dye, checkerboard or striped.
Click through to see the seven sandals and socks tag teams we’re wearing on repeat during lockdown.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Turbo Tie-Dye
The tie-dye trend moves in and out of favor but for now, thanks to Aries and Proenza Schouler, it’s back on top, and what better time to do a DIY job on some old white socks? Team with sliders for Cali cool.
Vans Sk8 Hi Forever Sock, $, available at ASOS
Zara Flat Padded Leather Sandals, $, available at Zara
Weekday Eleven Tie Dye Socks, $, available at Weekday
Charles & Keith Croc-Effect Slide Sandals, $, available at Charles & Keith
Aries Purple Tie-Dye Socks, $, available at SSENSE
Ugg Cozette Slide, $, available at Ugg
Sweat It Out
Ah the humble grey marl trackie bottoms, our lockdown lord and savior. Go head-to-toe grey for comfort-first WFH style; a knitted grey sock and pair of Birkenstock Arizonas will elevate your joggers and make you feel less like it’s freshers’ week and you’re eating noodles in bed (even though that’s exactly what we’re doing).
Smartwool Hike Light Crew 3-Pack, $, available at Zappos
Birkenstock Arizona Eva Sandal, $, available at Urban Outfitters
French Connection Melange Boot Socks 2 Pack, $, available at French Connection
ASOS DESIGN Focus Chunky Sliders, $, available at ASOS
Richer Poorer Salem Socks, $, available at Richer Poorer
Dr. Martens Myles Sandal, $, available at Urban Outfitters
More Is More
Lockdown is an anxious, isolating and new experience for us all so why not inject some pure joy into your daily ‘fit? Max out on color and serotonin-boosting embellishments, and crack a big smile every time you clock your tootsies. We’re sorry but Crocs are the unofficial lockdown uniform – there’s no comfier slipper.
Lazy Oaf In Bloom Socks, $, available at Lazy Oaf
Crocs Classic Clog, $, available at Crocs
Kule Fab Sock, $, available at Kule
Birkenstock Super-Birki Polyurethane, $, available at Birkenstock
& Other Stories Glitter Lurex Ankle Socks, $, available at & Other Stories
Wal & Pai Day Break Mule, $, available at Free People
Fancy Feet
We wore pearls everywhere from our earlobes to our hair last year, so it’s no surprise they’ve made it to our feet. Taking the humble foam sandal and giving it some oomph, the embellished sandal looks as good with sparkly socks as it does a stellar pedicure.
Topshop 3 Pack Black Glitter Socks, $, available at Topshop
Arizona Love Pearl-Embellished Sandals, $, available at Farfetch
swedish stockings Stella Lurex Socks, $, available at Matches Fashion
Area Crystal Fringe Platform Slide Sandal, $, available at Nordstrom
& Other Stories Metallic Socks Gift Set, $, available at & Other Stories
Cecilie Bahnsen X Suicoke Maria Beaded Velcro-Strap Sandals, $, available at Matches Fashion
Sporty Separates
If cutesy Crocs and sleek Birkenstocks aren’t your jam, turn to streetwear and athleisure to decorate your cloppers. The chunkier the sandal and the bigger the logo, the better.
Nike Crew Essential Stripe 3-Pack, $, available at Zappos
Prada Logo Sandal, $, available at Nordstrom
Vans X Sandy Liang Crew Sock, $, available at Vans
Ganni Hiking Sandal in Ermine, $, available at Need Supply
Carhartt WIP White Chase Socks, $, available at SSENSE
Charles & Keith Two-Tone Grosgrain & Rope Flatform Sandals, $, available at Charles & Keith
Logomania
Whether you’re a cult piece collector or brand loyalist, logomania has reigned supreme for some time now. Marine Serre? Gucci? Louis Vuitton? This is no ordinary WFH walk.
Gucci Lamé GG Socks, $, available at Gucci
Suicoke Moto Cab Platform Slide Sandal, $, available at Nordstrom
Burberry Logo Intarsia Short Sport Socks, $, available at Neiman Marcus
Simon Miller Coaster Platform, $, available at Simon Miller
Aries Logo Embroidered Tie Dye Socks, $, available at Nordstrom
Zara Satin Effect Bow Sporty Flat Sandals, $, available at Zara
Jazz It Up
A ‘personality’ sock used to be the height of uncool – akin to a novelty tie – but we’re using them to express creativity in lockdown now. A slingback slipper is the perfect canvas for a funky pair, and everywhere from Arket to Paul Smith has stellar prints and patterns.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
These 6 Spring Color Trends Will Brighten Your Day
Comfy Underwear To Buy If You’re Done With Thongs
This Aritzia Sale Has Already Raised $3 Million
Much like kitten heels, bumbags and Crocs, the pairing of socks and sandals – once derided as a sartorial sin – has slowly made its way back into fashion. Now the epitome of comfort and cool, there’s nothing more chic than donning grey cable knit socks with your Birkenstock Bostons , and nothing more zeitgeisty than teaming your tie-dye Aries with your Tevas .
Once the preserve of tourist dads, the rise of the ugly shoe and the death of the heel ushered in a new set of priorities for our feet: comfort first . The catwalks of SS20 reflected the so-bad-it’s-good pairing, with everyone from Burberry to Fendi and Gucci getting in on the action.
Now is the perfect time to embrace the best-foot-first look, as being on lockdown has made us forget what wearing shoes feels like. Slippers are the coziest option, sure, but in order to maintain some semblance of reality, we take those off when our working day begins and slip them back on when we log off.
While Birkenstocks, Suicoke, Tevas, Arizona Love and Crocs may get the most airtime, there’s a whole host of sandals that make the best companion for your socks – whether they’re hand-knitted, tie-dye, checkerboard or striped.
Click through to see the seven sandals and socks tag teams we’re wearing on repeat during lockdown.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Turbo Tie-Dye
The tie-dye trend moves in and out of favor but for now, thanks to Aries and Proenza Schouler, it’s back on top, and what better time to do a DIY job on some old white socks? Team with sliders for Cali cool.
Vans Sk8 Hi Forever Sock, $, available at ASOS
Zara Flat Padded Leather Sandals, $, available at Zara
Weekday Eleven Tie Dye Socks, $, available at Weekday
Charles & Keith Croc-Effect Slide Sandals, $, available at Charles & Keith
Aries Purple Tie-Dye Socks, $, available at SSENSE
Ugg Cozette Slide, $, available at Ugg
Sweat It Out
Ah the humble grey marl trackie bottoms, our lockdown lord and savior. Go head-to-toe grey for comfort-first WFH style; a knitted grey sock and pair of Birkenstock Arizonas will elevate your joggers and make you feel less like it’s freshers’ week and you’re eating noodles in bed (even though that’s exactly what we’re doing).
Smartwool Hike Light Crew 3-Pack, $, available at Zappos
Birkenstock Arizona Eva Sandal, $, available at Urban Outfitters
French Connection Melange Boot Socks 2 Pack, $, available at French Connection
ASOS DESIGN Focus Chunky Sliders, $, available at ASOS
Richer Poorer Salem Socks, $, available at Richer Poorer
Dr. Martens Myles Sandal, $, available at Urban Outfitters
More Is More
Lockdown is an anxious, isolating and new experience for us all so why not inject some pure joy into your daily ‘fit? Max out on color and serotonin-boosting embellishments, and crack a big smile every time you clock your tootsies. We’re sorry but Crocs are the unofficial lockdown uniform – there’s no comfier slipper.
Lazy Oaf In Bloom Socks, $, available at Lazy Oaf
Crocs Classic Clog, $, available at Crocs
Kule Fab Sock, $, available at Kule
Birkenstock Super-Birki Polyurethane, $, available at Birkenstock
& Other Stories Glitter Lurex Ankle Socks, $, available at & Other Stories
Wal & Pai Day Break Mule, $, available at Free People
Fancy Feet
We wore pearls everywhere from our earlobes to our hair last year, so it’s no surprise they’ve made it to our feet. Taking the humble foam sandal and giving it some oomph, the embellished sandal looks as good with sparkly socks as it does a stellar pedicure.
Topshop 3 Pack Black Glitter Socks, $, available at Topshop
Arizona Love Pearl-Embellished Sandals, $, available at Farfetch
swedish stockings Stella Lurex Socks, $, available at Matches Fashion
Area Crystal Fringe Platform Slide Sandal, $, available at Nordstrom
& Other Stories Metallic Socks Gift Set, $, available at & Other Stories
Cecilie Bahnsen X Suicoke Maria Beaded Velcro-Strap Sandals, $, available at Matches Fashion
Sporty Separates
If cutesy Crocs and sleek Birkenstocks aren’t your jam, turn to streetwear and athleisure to decorate your cloppers. The chunkier the sandal and the bigger the logo, the better.
Nike Crew Essential Stripe 3-Pack, $, available at Zappos
Prada Logo Sandal, $, available at Nordstrom
Vans X Sandy Liang Crew Sock, $, available at Vans
Ganni Hiking Sandal in Ermine, $, available at Need Supply
Carhartt WIP White Chase Socks, $, available at SSENSE
Charles & Keith Two-Tone Grosgrain & Rope Flatform Sandals, $, available at Charles & Keith
Logomania
Whether you’re a cult piece collector or brand loyalist, logomania has reigned supreme for some time now. Marine Serre? Gucci? Louis Vuitton? This is no ordinary WFH walk.
Gucci Lamé GG Socks, $, available at Gucci
Suicoke Moto Cab Platform Slide Sandal, $, available at Nordstrom
Burberry Logo Intarsia Short Sport Socks, $, available at Neiman Marcus
Simon Miller Coaster Platform, $, available at Simon Miller
Aries Logo Embroidered Tie Dye Socks, $, available at Nordstrom
Zara Satin Effect Bow Sporty Flat Sandals, $, available at Zara
Jazz It Up
A ‘personality’ sock used to be the height of uncool – akin to a novelty tie – but we’re using them to express creativity in lockdown now. A slingback slipper is the perfect canvas for a funky pair, and everywhere from Arket to Paul Smith has stellar prints and patterns.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
These 6 Spring Color Trends Will Brighten Your Day
Comfy Underwear To Buy If You’re Done With Thongs
This Aritzia Sale Has Already Raised $3 Million