The One-Second Accessory Cool Girls Rely On to Anchor Their Casual Outfits (2024)

No longer are socks merely relegated to being unstylish necessities. From slouchy crew to soft cashmere and coquettish knee-high pairs, the functional wardrobe staple has been promoted to a cool-girl must-have. In fact, street style stars like Bella Hadid, who often wears her tall socks with her Adidas SL 72 OG, and Sabrina Carpenter have been showing off said accoutrements lately with everything from sneakers and loafers to kitten heels, ballet flats, and yes, even sandals.

Here at ELLE, we’re certainly pro-sock—but of course, not all pairs are created equal. So, to help you find ones that will instantly elevate your outfit and keep you comfortable, we searched the internet high and low to bring you the absolute 12 best socks, below. Scroll on to meet your new top drawer favorites.

Cost-effective and uncompromisingly cool, this three-pack of slouchy socks on Amazon is an easy add-to-cart. The rib-knit design will look right on-trend with sneakers yet is slim enough to work with ballet flats and Mary Janes, too.

Flashy logo trends have waned in favor of understated, quiet luxury-inspired motifs. Take a note from Gucci’s style playbook by pairing these elegant socks with a mini dress and polished loafers to nail effortlessly preppy vibes.

The beauty of knee-high socks is that they can be worn tall or slouched, offering multiple ways to transition summer skirts and dresses into fall. Not only is this Falke style classic, but it features a lightweight merino wool and cotton-blend material for breathable warmth on crisp days.

Relaxed-fit crew styles are the new socks du jour to pair with sneakers. These stretchy Supima cotton pairs from Bombas are equally suitable for workouts and casual wear. Grab both color bundles for a complete sock drawer refresh ahead of the colder months.

Ease your way into the office siren aesthetic with these timeless Wolford knee-highs. A street style favorite now paired with a mini skirt and platform heels, they’ll be a practical staple in your work wardrobe come autumn.

Few socks feel more luxurious than those from Italian loungewear brand Comme Si. This trio of everyday crew socks is knit from mid-weight Mongolian cashmere for ultra-soft, breathable comfort.

Burberry’s signature checkered pattern looks equally sharp in crew sock form. Ideal for year-round wear, this splurge-worthy pair is made mostly of breathable cotton with a touch of sumptuous cashmere.

You’ll be amazed at how these soft fishnet socks can transform your entire outfit, especially when styled with open-toed sandals or breezy flats. Worn with pants, the design offers the look of full-length tights without the hassle of actually slipping into a pair.

Dainty ruffled trim and pointelle knit details give these white crew socks a coquettish twist. Thanks to a few strategically placed moleskin patches, they can even help prevent rubbing and hot spots.

Designer brands like Prada and Anna Sui have remained infatuated with argyle socks for seasons. These ’90s-inspired knee-highs can lean preppy or grungy, depending on how you style them.

Whether spawning from the popular tennsicore revival or the return of the summer Olympics, sporty socks are a key accessory this season. This buzzy collaboration between Grace Wales Bonner and Adidas is sleek enough to style with Sambas yet still functional enough for the gym.

Designed in collaboration with contemporary Italian artist and architect Gaetano Pesce, these whimsical, abstract print socks are sure to earn you compliments everywhere you go. They’re also sustainably made and feature a cushy sole for unbeatable, all-day comfort.