Summer is nearly here and it feels like the whole world (read: Northern Hemisphere) is buzzing at the prospect of finally enjoying some quality time outdoors. Retailers are putting their leftover winter gear on sale and into storage, making room for the usual hot-ticket summer items such as tie-dye T-shirts, short shorts, and accessories.
And while finding shorts and a tee that match or a pair of ultra-breathable sneakers is hugely important in the summer, there’s one combination of clothing you shouldn’t be sleeping on this year: socks with sandals.
The oft-ridiculed footwear style took a turn last summer, becoming an absolute must-have, and it doesn’t look like summer 2021 will be any different. Last year’s Birkenstock x Stüssy collaboration and the resurrection of Crocs were followed up by Kanye’s popular YEEZY Foam Runner and what are sure to be a number of exciting sandal collaborations (Salehe Bembury’s looks to be up next).
It’s clear that freeing the toe is a prerequisite during the hotter months of the year, however, pairing socks with sandals gives you a further level of flexibility — both aesthetically and functionally. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be spending every free minute this summer outside, which means you’ll often be out all day and into the evening. Summer nights can get quite cool. Wearing socks with sandals can help combat that.
Though the style has been long considered a fashion faux-pas and the trademark “German on vacation” look, wearing socks with sandals — when styled right — opens a myriad of opportunities, while offering increased comfort and warmth. To prove that the style is here to stay, we’ve rounded up the best sandals with socks combinations.
Browse the best socks with sandals for men below.
adidas YEEZY Foam Runner & Rostersox
YEEZY Foam RNNR "Sand"
adidas
Tie Dye Sock
Rostersox
Are the adidas YEEZY Foam Runner shoes or sandals? For the purposes of this roundup, we’ll classify them as sandals, which can be combined amazingly with a wide range of different types of socks. Because of the Foam Runner’s unique shape, you can go crazy with the socks, so we’ve opted for a pair of tie-dye Rostersox.
Crocs & EntireWorld Socks
Classic Clog
Crocs
Socks
Entireworld.
It seems like the socks with sandals trend was made for Crocs Clogs. Because the foot and toes are mostly covered, choosing a pair of solid-colored socks allows you to play with contrasts, as we have done with these vintage-looking EntireWorld gym socks.
Raf Simons & Cherry American
Astra Slides
Raf Simons
American Classic Socks
Cherry
Please don’t touch my socks with sandals. These Raf Simons sandals are about as classic as they come (with a touch of futuristic Raf branding) and go perfectly with a pair of solid crew socks. Copping a pair of Raf sandals is also a relatively inexpensive way of getting your hands on Raf Simons products. Who doesn’t want to flex a little at the park?
Birkenstock & Socksss
Arizona Two-Strap Leather Slides
Birkenstock
Polka Stripe-Jacquard Cotton-Blend Socks
Socksss
Birkenstock’s Arizona sandals are a timeless classic — and probably where the German socks with sandals stereotype originated — so including them in this roundup was a must. Here, we’ve paired an all-black pair of Arizonas with a fun, white and red striped pair of socks from Socksss. Whether you’re chilling at the park, heading to the beach, or checking out the latest gallery, paring a Birkenstock sandal with socks is never a bad idea.
Suicoke & Needles
KAT-2 Sandals
Suicoke
Thumb Socks
Needles
For this socks with sandals combination, our curation team has looked to Japan and combined Suicoke with Needles — two absolute classics when it comes to Japanese fashion. Admittedly, we went a little freaky with this combo, but you’ll thank us for picking a thumb sock (aka tabi sock) to pair with the KAT 2’s split-toe design.
APC x sacai & Fendi
Sandals
A.P.C x Sacai
Open-Knit Socks
Fendi
This APC x sacai sandal has flown somewhat under the radar — probably because it looks a little confused, featuring a buckle and strap combination. But that’s exactly the type of look you should be going for when pairing socks with sandals. The crazier the better in our opinion, as the style is already a little out-there.
Nike & Ader Error
Victori One
Nike
Fade Logo Sock
ADER Error
The pattern on the strap of these Nike Victori slides makes them the centerpiece of this “socks with sandals” combination. A pair of solid-colored socks would have worked too, but we mixed things up with a little fade action on the Ader Error socks above. That way, both your sandals and your socks are eye-catching, wherever you are.
adidas & Human Made
Adilette Slides
adidas
Duck Pile Socks
Human Made
The adidas Adilette is one of the most iconic slides of all time. If there are any sandals that go with socks, it’s a pair of Adiletten. The sandals come in all sorts of colors, however, we‘ve chosen to pair a black colorway with Human Made’s grey Duck Pile socks for a more tonal, versatile sportswear look.
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