How to Wear Socks with Boots

Co-authored by Dina Scherer

Last Updated: October 26, 2021 References

Matching socks with boots is not only a practical way to keep your legs warm but can also add a stylish and fun element to any outfit. While wearing socks as an accessory to pair with boots will keep you warm through the colder months, this combination is now in style for every season. Since there are so many different styles of boots and socks, there are tons of possibilities when it comes to combining the two.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Styling Socks with Ankle Boots

1
Bunch long socks around the ankle for a casual look. Pair your ankle boots with a tall sock that scrunches around the top of your boot. A sock bunched up this way creates an effortless and relaxed look that goes well with skinny jeans. Pull your socks up over your jeans and then scrunch them down towards the boot. Bunch them dramatically at the ankle, or pull the sock down gently for a slouched look.
- The thicker the sock the better. A warm knit sock with a lot of bulk will add texture and volume to your outfit.
2
Wear short socks that barely peek over your ankle boot.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Dina Scherer
Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
Expert Interview. 22 October 2021.} If you want to highlight your socks without making too much of a statement, you’ll want to try a short sock that just hardly shows over your boot. Try this look with a skinny jean or pant, preferably a pant that isn’t super thick. You’ll be tucking your pants into the socks, so it is best to avoid thick pants that would create too much bulk. Ideally, you’ll want to wear socks that stretch an inch (or less) over the top of your boot.^{[2]
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- You can also try a variation of this look by wearing a thick sock that sits under your pant rather than pulling the socks over your pants. You do want a slightly cropped pant for this style, preferably one that ends just above the top of your boot. That way, you'll be able to see just a peek of the sock.^{[3]
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  Research source} Try this for a sock and boot pairing that understated while still showing a glimpse of your socks.
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3
Try wearing tall socks pulled straight beneath a cropped or rolled pant. This menswear-inspired look works really well with rolled or cropped boyfriend jeans. Put on your socks first and pull them straight to mimic the classic menswear style. If you’re wearing a cropped pant, you’re good to go. Otherwise, roll up the cuff of your pant so that you leave a few inches of sock exposed.^{[4]
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4
Layer socks over leggings. Wearing ankle boots with socks pulled over your leggings is the ultimate cozy winter outfit. Not only is it cute, but it is also a practical way to stay warm during colder months. Use shorter socks when creating this outfit. You’ll want to avoid adding too much bulk to your ankles so the thinner the sock, the better.
- Try a neutral colored sock that compliments the rest of your outfit, rather than drawing all the attention to wild colored socks.^{[5]
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  Dina Scherer
  Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
  Expert Interview. 22 October 2021.}^{[6]
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5
Pair socks with bare legs. Try styling socks and ankle boots with a skirt or dress and leave your legs bare. Ankle or mid-calf socks are perfect for this look. Keep in mind that you’ll want your skirt or dress to fall above the knee which will help your legs appear longer.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Pairing Socks with Tall Boots

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Wear tall socks that reach to the knee or upper thigh. When wearing tall boots, you’re going to want to find socks that stretch at least a couple of inches over the top of the boot. If you’re wearing a boot that comes significantly up your calf, you’ll want to find a sock that reaches just below the knee. If you are wearing a knee-high boot, find over-the-knee socks.
- Tall socks are a wonderful compliment to any outfit. Not only do they add warmth to your legs but they also contribute dimension and style.
- Find knee-high socks that fold at the top, giving you the option of both a knee-high and over-the-knee sock. That way, you can leave them folded down if you want a sock that falls below the knee, while still being able to pull them above the knee when you like.
- Try matching tall boots and socks with sheer leggings or tights to experiment with texture.
2
Find socks that slouch at the knee for a more relaxed look. Tall socks that can be styled to slouch at the top of your boot provide a casual, cozy look that works well in colder seasons. Thick knit socks are your best bet for this style, as they enhance the overall feeling of coziness and warmth. A tall slouched sock will give your outfit a casual, bohemian look while providing extra bulk that will keep your legs warm.
- Pair this combination with a warm, oversized sweater.
3
Find tall socks that have embellishments at the cuff. An embellished knee-high sock looks wonderful when worn with tall boots, especially when you are wearing simple boots that don't have a lot of buckles or decorative features. Look for tall socks that feature lace, buttons, fun patterns, or an interesting texture change at the cuff of the sock.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Choosing the Right Socks

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Choose your socks based on thickness. When it comes to choosing the right sock to pair with boots, you’re going to want to consider their thickness. Thinner socks will work better when you're going for the subtle look or if you're wearing socks with bare legs. Thick socks, on the other hand, are ideal if you are going for the slouched, scrunched look. Thick socks give you more to work with and will provide more bulk and dimension to your outfits. ^{[8]
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2
Try playing around with different colors to complete your overall look.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Dina Scherer
Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
Expert Interview. 22 October 2021.} Since you are using socks as an accessory, the color of your socks will make a big difference for your outfit.
- Neutral colored socks will generally blend in with your outfit, completing your look without having the socks stand out.^{[10]
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  Dina Scherer
  Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
  Expert Interview. 22 October 2021.}
- Colored, patterned, or embellished socks will act as a statement piece that will draw attention to your feet.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  Dina Scherer
  Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
  Expert Interview. 22 October 2021.}
- Gray socks work well with black or blue jeans. If you are going for a more sophisticated look, try black socks paired with black jeans.^{[12]
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- When wearing socks with bare legs, try to keep the socks a similar tone to your skin color to help your legs look longer.^{[13]
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3
Wear faux socks to create the illusion of wearing socks. Faux socks are essentially a cropped leg warmer that mimic the cuff of a knit sock. All you have to do is pull them on over your pants before putting on your boots. Then, position them just under where the top of your boot will fall. Once you've pulled on your boot, it will look like you’re wearing a full sock. No one will ever know that they only stretch an inch below the top of your boot.
- Faux socks are a great option if you run hot or have boots that are too tight to accommodate a thick sock.

Expert Q&A

Question

Are you supposed to wear long socks with boots?

Dina Scherer
Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
Dina Scherer is an Image and Wardrobe Stylist and the Founder of Modnitsa Styling, based in New York City. With over a decade of experience, Dina specializes in color analysis, style development, closet editing, and personal shopping. She helps her clients elevate their personal style and curate a wardrobe aligned with their lifestyle. Dina holds degrees in Advertising and Marketing, Fashion Merchandising, and a Certificate in Image Consulting from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Dina Scherer

Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper

Expert Answer

Sure! This is completely up to you and to your style! A lot of people simply match the boot and sock colors as a way to not draw attention to the sock, though.
Question

What kind of socks go with boots?

Dina Scherer
Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper
Dina Scherer is an Image and Wardrobe Stylist and the Founder of Modnitsa Styling, based in New York City. With over a decade of experience, Dina specializes in color analysis, style development, closet editing, and personal shopping. She helps her clients elevate their personal style and curate a wardrobe aligned with their lifestyle. Dina holds degrees in Advertising and Marketing, Fashion Merchandising, and a Certificate in Image Consulting from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Dina Scherer

Wardrobe Stylist & Personal Shopper

Expert Answer

Any kind you want! You can use colorful and patterned socks to add contrast to the look or can match the sock and the booth so that there's no visual break. The second option is usually more refined, but they are both different options for different occasions.