There was a time when creases in one’s forehead or the odd grey hair were the tell-tale signs of encroaching middle age. But now, believe it or not, one of the biggest giveaways you’re past it is your socks. Not content with coming for our skinny jeans (RIP), youthful style arbiters insist that ankle socks are chronically uncool – and don’t even think of reaching for your invisi-sock trainer liners, those tiny ones that can’t be seen at all.
shudder. Now the only way to wear socks without looking totally passé is pulled up to mid-calf. For extra style points, ribbed white sports styles should be worn over the top of leggings, á la young fashion icons Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner.
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. Or team long socks with shorts and sandals. As a 36-year-old fashion writer with a drawer full of ankle socks, I feel somewhat alarmed.
Your first instinct, like mine, might be to write this all off as the province of hip 20-somethings. Fashion is constantly evolving and no doubt short socks will be back sooner or later. But there are advantages to looking up-to-date – not least, the fact that it really can take ten years off you with next to no effort.
Rather a new pair of knee socks than a round of Botox. And it’s not just socks. everything from high-waisted jeans to half-tucking your t-shirt is now seen as mortifyingly outdated, with a proliferation of TikTok videos pronouncing them instant .
