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2022-05-14 22:50:56 By : Mr. Jason Wei

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Now that the weather is turning colder, you might be thinking about socks for the first time in months. If your collection could use a little sprucing up, consider looking beyond the merely functional options and exploring the recent wave of colorful dress socks that have been popping up on social feeds and the ankles of stylish people everywhere. Ideal for work and play, statement socks add personality and, depending on the vibe you go for, a dash of humor and wit to your looks. Granted, fashion socks won’t save your toes from frostbite on top of a mountain or deliver compression during workouts but they will keep your feet comfortable in everything from low-top sneakers to sparkly heels and save you from fashion boredom.

Colorful dress socks jazz up your day-to-night looks and provide a quirky-cool accent.

Maybe you love stripes, tiny dogs or bananas—all are welcome on your dress socks, which typically hit mid-calf or higher on your leg and are made from light to medium-weight fabrics that layer well with slacks and skirts. If you’re the type of person who normally doesn’t wear loud colors or bold prints, taking a fashion leap with your socks is an easy way to experiment and dip a toe, so to speak, in designer labels without spending a fortune (Gucci makes beautiful socks that cost far less than the Italian brand’s handbags, for example). Ahead, find 11 pairs of colorful dress socks to inspire your sartorial creativity and punch up your looks this season.

UK-based designer Paul Smith is known for his sharply tailored looks and British sense of humor. These Italian-made socks replace the traditional camo army shades with bright swirls of pink, orange and red for an effect that’s stunning against darker-toned trousers or silky skirts.

New-York-based Kule elevates basic wardrobe staples with unexpected color combinations and clever details that make you smile. These snazzy nylon dress socks feature a cheerful checkerboard pattern and the brand’s signature stripes at the top.

Designed to be fun and functional, Swedish-based Happy Socks are made from high-quality cotton and come in an array of modern colors and designs. This pair spells out “OK” with an embroidered cherry against a navy blue background.

A favorite among celebrities and the fashion influencers, Gucci’s pink and red metallic GG-intarsia socks hardly blend into the background. Slip on with platforms and a pleated skirts for a chic take on day to night dressing.

A steal for around $10, these soft knit socks are ribbed at the top to ensure they stay put and feature a contrasting shade of white at the reinforced toe and heel, which makes the tiger print stand out more when you slip off your shoes.

Belgium fashion designer Dries Van Noten teamed up with Switzerland-based Fogal to release this pair of sheer pink socks, which feature a ribbed band of deeper pink at the top to keep them in place and provide a moment of tonal color-blocking.

These stretch-cotton blend lace socks from Simone Rocha are delicately trimmed with ribbon below the ribbed cuff, which adds a feminine touch. To keep them from being too frilly, pair them with chunky leather loafers or broken-in ankle boots.

This gift set—which you should definitely gift yourself—includes two of Happy Sock’s most popular color-blocked patterns: The Jill socks in purple and orange, and the Liza in black and orange. Both are made from soft viscose and have a subtle shimmer (if the set is sold out, you can buy the Jill and the Liza separately in similar colors).

If you like the look of fishnets but don’t want to wear stockings, consider this pair of micronet socks from Swedish Stockings, which are made from recycled yarns, eco-friendly dyes and solar-powered energy for a sustainable fishnet alternative.

These cushy socks are cool without trying too hard. The mustard-brown color is subdued and low-key while the leopard spots and athletic-inspired stripes have a retro-quirky vibe that looks great with low-top sneakers or dressier platform heels.

Available in fives shades, these sheer socks can be pulled up to the knee or scrunched down for a more casual look, depending on your mood. Either way, the Swiss dot pattern is classic and refined no matter what you pair it with.