Millennials vs Gen Z: What Socks Are In Style?
Gen Z vs. Millennial Sock Trends: Crew Socks, Ankle Socks & The Rise of No-Shows
Some sock trends smell like teen spirit. From crew socks making a comeback to the sockless shoe trend, Generation Z and millennials are reshaping sock fashion. If you’re not ready to part with your no-shows like you were your skinny jeans, keep reading to find out why ankle socks and no-shows like FLAT SOCKS® are still the fan favorite.
Gen Z Socks vs Millennial Socks
Gen Z, or those born between 1997 and 2012, have a habit of digging up the fashion trends millennials buried long ago. Along with mullets and wearing Crocs™, the type of socks Gen Z wears are crew socks, a stark contrast to the millennial preference for ankle socks. This shift in sock height shows how each generation expresses its style.
According to many Gen Z users on social media, wearing ankle socks has now become a “millennial giveaway." Like all generations, these “zoomers” are using fashion choices to distance themselves from past generations.
Afterall, Hailey Bieber stepping out of the gym in leggings and crew socks has the same affect that Britney Spears’ cargo pants and stilettos or Paris Hilton’s velvet track suit did in the early 2000s.
Additionally, some market trends are starting to show the difference in these sock preferences. The sock brand Hanes® reported that sales of their above-ankle socks are up almost 6% since 2021 and, for some clothing brands, crew socks are outselling ankle socks two-to-one.
Should You Follow the Gen Z Socks Trend?
Gen Z's sock trends are heavily influenced by social media, with TikTok fashion influencers playing a key role. The debate about millennial socks vs Gen Z first stirred up controversy on TikTok, where people under 30 make up 47% of the app’s user base. Here, influencers posted videos with millions of views discussing whether no show socks are still cool.
According to a consumer trends report, 55% of Gen Z discover clothing trends via short-form videos on social media and 37% buy based on influencer recommendations. Millennials and Gen Z aren’t so different after all, though. Vogue Business reported 77% of Gen Z and 79% of millennials rely on social media to discover these new trends.
So, is it time to toss your entire sock drawer because a16-year-old with a ring light said ankle socks are canceled? Not quite.
Are No Show Socks Out of Style?
While Gen Z prefers taller sock varieties, they also love to make bold choices and break traditional fashion rules whether that means wearing socks with sandals or going sockless entirely. Thanks to sockless shoe trends like not wearing socks with HeyDude® shoes, the one thing both generations can agree on are FLAT SOCKS no show socks.
According to a 2024 survey by YouGov, 61% of adults prefer socks that are barely there, whether it’s ankle socks, no shows, or no socks at all. Broken down by age, results showed that despite 41% of Gen Z adults choosing tall socks, 47% still favored ankle or invisible socks. In other words, ankle and no show socks are still in style.
Most Americans prefer socks that don’t show, and FLAT SOCKS are the ultimate no-show socks. These sock inserts go inside your shoe, not on your feet, and they won’t slip or bunch up like crew or ankle socks. FLAT SOCKS are moisture-wicking, helping to reduce sweat and foot odor in shoes.
No show, no slip and no stink? We say that’s very demure, very mindful.
Crew Socks vs Ankle Socks vs No Shows
Just because crew socks are in style for Gen Z doesn’t mean ankle socks are out of style. From crew socks to ankle socks and no-shows, understanding different sock types and their lengths helps you make the right choice for your outfit and comfort. After all, socks can make or break your outfit and there are many health benefits to wearing socks.
Generational differences aside, what truly sets crew socks and ankle socks apart are their length. Crew socks are taller than ankle socks, with the cuff resting at mid-calf. Ankle socks extend just above the ankle, while no shows sit below the ankle.
Wondering which sock type you should wear? Because crew socks are becoming more widely accepted, you can wear either crew, ankle or no shows with virtually any casual or formal outfit and still be in style. In other words, going bare-ankled in flats and jeggings is just as stylish as wearing loafers and crew socks.
FLAT SOCKS can be worn with socks, too, if you need an added boost of cushion, odor protection, or want to personalize the inside of your shoes with new patterns like floral, animal prints, solid colors, and seasonal picks.
Embrace Your Sock-less Style with FLAT SOCKS
A pair of quality socks never goes out of style. FLAT SOCKS no-show sock inserts offer comfort, odor control, and style, making them the perfect choice for any footwear trend. Whether you’re going bold with crew socks or embracing sockless shoe trends, check out FLAT SOCKS and find the perfect pair.
FLAT SOCKS is not affiliated with Crocs™, Hanes®, HEYDUDE™ or any other shoe or clothing manufacturer. Reference and trademarks used above are for research purposes or examples of shoe brands with which FLAT SOCKS can be worn.
References:
Are no shoe socks uncool in 2024. (2024) TikTok.
Gen Z Has Officially Canceled Ankle Socks: “They’re For Old People.” (2024, May 13). Yahoo Life.
Hayes, A. (2024, August 6). What’s up with Gen Z’s socks?. YouGov.
Howarth, J. (2024, June 12). TikTok User Age, Gender, & Demographics (2024). Exploding Topics.
Romanchuk, J. (2024). How Each Generation Shops in 2024. Hubspot.
Vogue Business. (2024, March 8). Gen Z Broke the Marketing Funnel. Vogue Business.
