The Rising Trend of Compression Socks in Fashion: Comfort Meets Style
What do you picture when you hear the words “compression socks”? I bet it conjures up images of some drab-looking socks that would complement the ambiance of a hospice, much less make an appearance in a fashion magazine.
A few decades ago, it would have been appalling to imagine compression socks as anything more than a practical necessity, let alone becoming the talk of the fashion town.
So, how did compression socks escape this rigid mold of mediocrity and banality and suddenly start being flaunted on the runway? Read along to find out.
The fashion industry loves novelty, and it has the power to transform any lackluster object and catapult it into the limelight as the next must-have accessory. Take, for example, the case of overalls.
A functional clothing item that was solely used by workers towards the late 19th century suddenly saw a resurgence in the 50s. It rose in tandem with the bohemian fashion movement that keeps coming back, progressively seeping into mainstream fashion, and was often flaunted by the youth, lending it an effortlessly casual yet chic flair.
Getting back to the topic, that is the trajectory that the previously unheralded compression socks embarked upon as well, with the popularity of athleisure, and the rest is, as they say, history.
Fashion is ever-changing, based on lifestyle changes and cultural shifts. Fashion continuously reinvents itself, adopting newer trends while also discarding the redundant.
The 20s were the times when we first started seeing a gradual transition towards fashion that prioritized comfort. With the advent of the flapper style, we saw a vivacious blend of relaxed fits and elegance, thus marking a bold departure from the corseted past.
Fast forward a few decades, the 60s and 70s were where we saw a further stark departure from the conservative past. As a result, we see a burgeoning popularity of denim that has the entire population in a chokehold, thus cementing jeans as an iconic and ubiquitous element of everyday fashion.
And with the popularity of athleisure, we had a sort of cultural revolution where we saw more and more people in the streets strutting along in sports gear—a thing which would have been a fashion blasphemy in the past. It is during this shift towards fashion that embraces comfort that women’s fashionable compression socks shed their utilitarian image and embraced a fresh and stylish identity.
With athleisure, the way people have been dressing has been completely redefined, making it possible to effortlessly blend functionality, versatility, comfort, and style. Compression socks fit perfectly into that narrative. In the fashion world, any clothing item that fails to straddle the line between functionality, versatility, and style is usually tossed aside, as is apparent with the fallout of the performance turtleneck.
Luckily for compression socks, they have managed to defy this fate by carving out a niche as both a practical and a versatile fashionable choice. Thanks to the myriad of styles, colors, and prints that they are available in now, seamlessly shifting from casual to formal and back has become all but a cakewalk.
When it comes to mixing and matching accessories with outfits, we need to understand that not everyone is a style expert, and this is exactly where compression socks come to the rescue.
Because these can be thrown in with all kinds of outfits and can be styled effortlessly, compression socks are a fashion novice’s dream come true. However, to take you style game up a notch, here are a few tips:
- Style bolder patterns if you are wearing a monochromatic look; this will make the socks the centerpiece, all the while keeping the look well put together and preventing it from looking garish.
- For petite stature women, when it comes to styling compression socks, always go for the knee-high ones since they help in elongating your legs. Pair bolder patterns like polka dots with oxfords and a black A-line skirt/dress for a classy look, or if you are feeling like a fashion renegade, you can go for the preppy patterned compression socks and a plaid pinafore.
- Not a dress fan? No problem! Compression socks go really well with jeans and trousers as well. Make sure the hem is shorter to flaunt the unique pattern and color, and see how you turn heads wherever you go.
- Work wear is generally limited to muted colors and classic patterns only, but you can add a bit of flair by introducing a pop of color with the help of some cute compression socks. Some tips for you to wear compression socks on different occasions.
Compression socks, a very unassuming piece of clothing, have today become an essential addition to elevate any outfit that needs a pick-me-up. Thanks to their being utterly comfortable, fashionable, and versatile, these are a standout item that is a must-have essential in the current fashion scene.
Easily pairable with dresses, trousers, jeans, and even work wear, compression socks are also super comfortable, so you can take on the world while staying stylish and at ease all day long.
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