The Joy of Socks
High street stocking up on sexy legwear for the autumn

Natasha Weale
August 18, 2002,

 
FORGET the tired image of white terry towelling poking over the top of your
trainers, socks are the must- have fashion accessory for autumn.

Stars such as Britney Spears, Liz Hurley and Gwyneth Paltrow have already 
been caught proudly flaunting their sox appeal.

Now the major high street stores are preparing for a season dominated by legwear.

Leading the way on the catwalk are designers Clements Ribeiro and Luella, both
of whom featured socks in their autumn/winter collection.

Gap, Debenhams and John Lewis have all extended their range of legwear, offering
everything from stripey over- the-knee socks to calf-length winter woollies.

Lorraine Madji, fashion advisor at John Lewis in Edinburgh, said: "Knee- high socks
are definitely expected to make a high fashion statement this autumn. But, like all 
trends, you have to know how to wear them."

Versatility is the key. Making the most of long, shapely legs is possible when you're 
teaming short dresses or mini- skirts with brightly-coloured thigh-highs or knee-
highs. But socks can work equally well with smart, tailored suits.

Lorraine added: "The catwalk has given knee-high socks a daytime look when they've 
teamed them with a smart dark suit and court shoes, so from a distance they look like 
boots.

"But, for a more casual approach, knee-highs could be teamed with a suede mini- skirt 
or a suede fringed belt and sexy shoes that will help accentuate the look.

"Brown or black knee-highs would look great with a denim mini, but I'd advise against 
white or cream because you could end up looking like a schoolgirl." 

Debenhams have extended their hosiery range to include a designer gift set of calf-
length socks by Jasper Conran, as well as knee- highs in an assortment of colours, 
while Gap have long seen the appeal of multi- coloured, socks.

Gap spokeswoman Anita Borzyszkowska said: "I think a lot of younger women will go
for that edgy look of mini- skirt with knee-highs. But for those who aren't as 
comfortable with this look, we're going to be introducing a wide range of calf- length
stripey socks which work brilliantly with cropped trousers."

In America, fashion experts are predicting style socks will be big business. But it's not 
solely for their wearability and trend-setting value. Socks, it seems, can be comforting.

Dawn Beechner, of Americal Corporation, the US's biggest hosiery manufacturer, said: 
"Due to the events that have taken place since last season, consumers are looking for 
trends that are reassuring and familiar."