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How to Wear Different Types of Socks

Two people sit next to each other on grass wearing short and long versions of the same sunflower socks in white and blue

Socks are the ultimate accessory when it comes to enhancing your personal style. What are your favorite type of socks? Whether you prefer wearing simple crew socks or long knee socks, you can always take a chance, change it up and try something new! Heighten your sock confidence by following these sock styling tips. You will find fun and fashionable ways to show off different sock lengths and integrate them into your favorite outfits.

Ankle socks with a chicken and the words "Cluck This Shit" are worn with cuffed shorts

Ankle Socks

The ankle sock is the go-to choice for running, working out and pairing with tennis shoes.

A person in aqua blue low-cut ankle socks sits on steps beside a pair of running shoes

Cuffed ankle socks that say "Yas Queen" worn with athletic shoes and leggings on a forested trail.

These low-rise socks usually hit right around the ankle bone or sometimes a little higher, and can also be called anklet socks, shorty socks, peds or pedis. A slightly longer ankle sock might be referred to as a micro crew or quarter sock.

Sparkly cuffed ankle socks with cats on them are worn with white sneakers next to a small sculpture of a bulldog

Cute striped ankle socks are worn with ripped jeans and stand beside a pair of lace-up high-heeled boots

While many ankle socks are made with athletics in mind, these extra-short socks also have a softer side. An ankle-length sock can be paired perfectly with cute jeans and low cut boots or or a summer skirt and a pair of heels, simple flats or Mary Jane shoes.

Crew Socks

When someone asks you to imagine a sock, you will probably picture a crew sock! That's because the crew is the most commonly worn type of sock. Not too short or too tall, a crew rises to the mid-calf region on most people, smack in the middle of the leg.

A woman wears crew socks with clouds and blue skies with red Mary Janes and a mini dress while she stands beside a white fence and a dalmatian dog

Crew socks are incredibly versatile and can be fashionably paired with just about any shoe — including sandals! Here are just a few ways to wear them with pants, dresses, shorts and a wide variety of shoes. Or read more about the latest trends in wearing crew socks.

A person shows off their striped merino wool socks worn with monk strap shoes and jeans.

A woman wears burgundy crew socks that say "I ❤️ Wine" with black shoes and a skirt

Andrea wears pan dulce socks with black shoes and a floral print dress

A woman wears sporty silver sneakers and socks that say "BE THE PERSON YOUR DOG THINKS YOU ARE" while she holds a small dog

A person wears pink socks with a funny saying with white shoes and a rainbow dress while using a yellow wheelchair

Black socks with classic guitars worn with red pumps

Corinne wears black socks with strawberries with red pants and pink creeper shoes

Andrea wears white crew socks with sunflowers along with yellow shoes and blue pants.

Knee Socks

If you love a taller pair of socks, knee highs might just be perfect for you! Knee-high socks are the tallest socks we carry except for over-the-knee or thigh-high socks. Knee socks often fall right below one's kneecaps, leaving plenty of room for funky designs and cute patterns. They are also known as over-the-calf socks.

Fun knee socks with rainbow hearts on a white background are worn with rainbow checkerboard shoes.

These long socks are great for staying warm on chilly winter days, and can even be worn over a pair of tights for just that reason. Sometimes associated with school uniforms, this length of sock is practical for anyone who wants to bare their legs but still keep warm.

We love pairing knee socks with shorts, skirts and dresses to really show them off. Wear your knee highs with lower cut shoes to make a big statement, or tall boots for great friction reduction with just a hint of color and fun. Check out these great knee socks outfits and see what strikes your fancy.

Solar system knee socks are worn with black converse shoes.

Festive cardinal bird knee socks are worn with colorful ballet flats.

Mismatched American flag knee socks are worn by two athletes, one in sneakers and the other wearing slide sandals.

Urania wears pastel rainbow knee socks with gold pumps and a pink dress.

Are you inspired to try a new type of socks? Start shopping at Cute But Crazy Socks and find the best socks in every category!

Andrea Farrell

Andrea Farrell is the lead buyer and content writer for Cute But Crazy Socks. She is a sock industry expert with over a decade of experience in socks retail, customer service, product selection, product development and customer behavior. Andrea leans on her degree in journalism from Western Washington University to write helpful articles on socks and hosiery, covering all topics from current fashion trends to sock jokes.

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