How to style red socks

It’s officially spring training time for your socks, which means swapping out winter colours like plain black and white for a more playful, punchy hue. This season, a red sock is the secret weapon to help you up your accessories game when it’s not quite time for sandals yet, and heavy boots have already been put away in storage. Slip them on with a classic loafer, cool sneakers, or a Mary Jane flat for some added flair, or grab some attention below the knee with a crimson sock paired with a pump or a closed-toe mule. If you’re a fashion risk-taker, a red sock is exactly what you need. Below, shop socks and check out how the Harper’s Bazaar team took on the “let’s get red” challenge and came red-y with their singular takes on the trend.

Miguel Enamorado, Accessories Director

"I love the mix of a Chanel jacket, cropped Comme des Garcons utility camel pants, and a scarlet sock—a peek of personality—with my classic John Lobb loafers."

Gary Ponzo, Art Director

"I wore red socks at the request of our Accessories Director, and it turned out to be a fun way to shake up my generally monochromatic wardrobe. As an Art Director, I really respond to graphic colour-blocking, so I enjoyed the pop of red. I’m going to try to find ways to introduce more bold accent colours into my life just to shake things up."

Joel Calfee, Editorial and Social Media Assistant

"I styled these red socks with sparkly Michael Kors heels, and I loved mixing a playful texture with such a bright colour. I actually have a pair of red socks at home that I’ve struggled to style, but if this exercise taught me anything, it’s that I just need to embrace it. I’m often hesitant to go bold with colours, but the red sock was such a conversation starter and it brought a level of confidence to the look that I want to keep up moving forward."

Olivia Alchek, Senior Designer

"I paired my red socks with matching red tights, a mini skirt, and sandals. Having red legs for the day was bolder than I’m used to, but it was really fun to experiment with more playful colour. I’m definitely going to continue to experiment with these socks in the future."

Brooke Bobb, Fashion News Director

"I've always wanted to wear a red sock but have been too afraid. Too crazy or too cool for me, I thought. Luckily, I have the most inspiring colleague Miguel who gave me the push to try and my feet have never looked better. Turns out red socks plus sparkly Wales Bonner slippers is exactly the right equation."

Rosa Sanchez, Senior News Editor

"I love the moment socks are having, and have especially found myself being more experimental with my dressing because of it. I'm currently obsessed with wearing red socks with my red Sambas, or deep maroon socks white sneakers. The colour can really spruce up any look, particularly if you tend to wear mostly neutrals, like me."

Carl Kelsch, Managing Editor

“After a friend brought back a pair of crayon-green socks for me from the iconic shop Gammarelli in Italy, I embraced the possibilities of a bold sock to complement colourful chinos, like the pink ones I paired with red socks. Wearing penny loafers (with pennies intact) leans into the preppy vibe of the rose-hued slacks.”

Leah Chernikoff, Executive Editor

"Miguel handed me this pair of Falke socks in the most perfect hue of cherry red. I wore them around fashion week with my Bass loafers and felt like I was dipping my toe into the colour of the season without straying from my extremely unadventurous wardrobe of denim, black, white, and navy."

 

All Images: Faith Brown

This article first appeared in harpersbazaar.com in March 2024. 

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