Not only are these young whippersnappers not getting off my lawn, now they’re invading my sock drawer.
Fashion is a fickle mistress. Just when you get comfortable with a trend, it’s gone. Consider this article fashion’s Dear John letter to your no-show socks.
That’s right: thanks to Gen Z, socks are no longer meant to be unseen. Instead, they’re longer, bolder, and now a whole accessory category—a way to express personality.
Honestly, though? I’m not really mad about it. I’ve always hated cold ankles. Every time I board a plane and see someone in sandals or flats, I wonder how they survive. And sweat absorption? That’s no small thing. But for the past several years, we’ve all tried to keep our socks from standing out. Now, that’s the whole point.
Statement Socks on the Rise
Celebrities have been onto this for a while. This Who What Wear article catalogues A-listers in crew socks with athleisure, and Instagram is full of style influencers pairing visible socks with leggings and sneakers. (Last week it was Ariana’s ponytail, so why not her socks too? Keep reading—we’ll show you how to wear them in a way that’s more cozy café than concert stage.) White socks are fine, but they must show. Add in a couple of retro stripes at the top as a nod to the ’70s? Extra points.
And ankle socks? They’re not out—but they are evolving. The shorter “no-show” style is heading to the back of the drawer, while taller anklets (often called “quarter” or “high quarter” socks) with visible stripes are suddenly very much in. It’s all about letting the sock show, rather than hiding it.
Beyond that, colorful, patterned socks are the new way to make a statement.
Meet the Sock Queen of Alabama
If you’re going to talk socks, you need to talk to Gina Locklear. Known as The Sock Queen of Alabama, Gina grew up in Fort Payne, once the Sock Capital of the World. For decades, the town’s mills churned out socks by the millions—until production shifted overseas. Many factories closed, and her parents feared theirs would be next.
But against the odds, they managed to hang on—“by a thread,” as Gina puts it. And when she launched Zkano, she did it right there in her parents’ mill, keeping both the family legacy and Fort Payne’s sock-making tradition alive.
Her entrepreneurial leap paid off. From regular cameos on Veep to Martha Stewart’s seal of approval to a write up in The New York Times, Zkano socks have built a loyal following. And the best part? They’re American-made, from cotton to toe seam.
“Everybody’s wearing some type of sock these days—probably more so than I have ever seen,” Gina told me. “I see plain white crews with retro stripes everywhere. It’s funny—when my parents opened their mill back in 1991, we were making those exact striped socks that are so popular again now.”
How to Wear the Trend
According to Gina, there are no age limits and no rules:
Great with cropped jeans, cargo pants, or even gym leggings. (Gina says these are some of her best sellers.)
- Patterned socks – From florals to bold graphics, wear them as subtle accents or statement-makers. (Browse Zkano’s patterned collection).
- With sandals – Yes, really. “I’ve seen designers pair socks with chunky wedges,” Gina says. “Just like Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw did it.” And no one’s going to bat an eye if you pair your comfy slides with a tall sock.
- Knee-highs for fall – “They’re big this year,” Gina adds. “I wear them with skirts, dresses, or tucked into tall lace-up boots.”
Gina Locklear, founder of Zkano, rocks the socks (Photo by Liesa Cole)
In short? If it fits your personality, it works.
Sock Drawer Refresh
Influencers have been signaling it for a while, but let’s make it official: it’s time to clean out the sock drawer—or at least send your no-shows to the back until their comeback tour.
Personally, I’m eyeing these floral crews.
Cute, cozy, and Alabama-made? Sign me up.
And Gina has a gift for Pretty readers: use code PRETTY10 at Zkano through the end of August for 10% off at checkout. Find your own statement sock moment.
So if you catch me on a plane rocking bold floral socks over leggings, don’t be alarmed. Just know I’m keeping my ankles warm, staying on-trend—and maybe even staying in step with Gen Z.
And I would’ve kept all my old socks, too, if it hadn’t been for you meddling kids!
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