Elevate Your Style: Knee-High Socks for 2024 and Beyond

Ah, the world of fashion! Where trends rise and fall faster than a soufflé in an unkind oven. And in the ever-spinning carousel of style, it seems that 2024 has bestowed upon us a hero we didn’t know we needed: ornamental hosiery. Yes, you heard it right! Forget caped crusaders; it’s all about statement socks and knee-high tights this season.

Take a gander at the likes of Sydney Sweeney, who’s bringing thigh-high lace white tights to the forefront of our consciousness, or Nicola Peltz, who elegantly paired sheer stockings with a flouncy mini dress. And let’s not forget Camille Charriere strutting her stuff in those quintessential fashion week fishnets—talk about a hosiery renaissance! Suddenly, knee-high tights are gracing the legs of fashionistas like Kristen Stewart, Zendaya, and Julia Fox. Who knew these once-charming tights—long associated with the genteel vibes of school uniforms, chic Upper East Side grandmas, and bespectacled college students—could be the new trendsetting heroes?

Now, let’s take a moment to applaud the knee-high tight. We’ve been gently enamored by this classic for months, fueled initially by Zendaya dazzling us at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Week in her Wolford fishnets. I mean, if you needed an excuse to hoard knee-highs, that was it! Subsequently, our fashion dreams were realized when the likes of Kristen and Julia were spotted flaunting their fabulous neon socks while on the urban prowl. We could almost hear our inner fashionistas cheer.

It isn’t new for knee-highs to ebb and flow through the annals of fashion history. The 1960s and 70s saw them resurrected, often paired with mini skirts and those darling Mary Jane shoes—making a spirited claim on youth culture and all things playful. Of course, like so many nostalgic trends, knee-highs dipped in popularity, only to rally back into our hearts in the 1990s and early 2000s, thanks to pop culture’s obsession with schoolgirl looks. According to the wise Natalie Salmon, Editor of H! Fashion, “Knee-high socks have remained a staple,” offering us layers of warmth and style when the temperature dips.

Now, let’s talk about styling these socks, shall we? Rosie, for example, managed to elevate those sheer socks by pairing them with a sleek, dark skirt suit from Alo—highlighting the effortless sophistication of the ensemble. Those towering Prada heels? Simply a stroke of genius in contrast, truthfully making the whole look sing. As for Bella Hadid, she delivered a goth-chic moment that was so spot on it could’ve been a fashion déjà vu. Chunky boots paired with knee-high socks? Divine.

A fashion paradox emerged when Kristen Stewart decided to rebound against our fashion instincts, wearing sheer black knee-highs with white trainers. A black skirt and a cheeky graphic tee? If that isn’t the quintessence of casual-chic, I don’t know what is! And oh, Julia Fox in her nude socks, pink ballet flats, and a striped turtleneck perfectly captured that Y2K nostalgia—such effortless style. If she doesn’t inspire us to raid our grandmother’s closet for some equally vintage spectacles, what will?

Let’s not forget about chic Instagram stalwart Sarah Lysander, catching eyes with her little black dress paired with sheer knee-highs at Paris Fashion Week. Because who knew sheer socks could transcend a statement LBD into sheer magic?

Urban Outfitters has shown its colors in the knee-high game with pink options that practically demand an all-black ensemble to pop! Delightfully soft nylon and a 15-denier finish? Bella-approved chicness at only £7.00! Over at Cider, you can cozy up with those cute over-the-knee socks without sacrificing style. At £8.90, they’re a sweet indulgence to embrace that cozy vibe without diving headfirst into full-on stocking territory.

As fashion features writer at Hello! Fashion, I can’t help but play dress-up and scroll through Insta feeds for fresh inspo. The joy of finding quirky pieces and elevating them with a sprinkle of nostalgia is what keeps us going. Basically, if fashion is a feast, I’m here for second helpings, wearing everything from classic ribbed pairs at H&M to Simone Rocha’s sparkling goblets of knee-high splendor! At £225, these are your show-stopping conversation starters you wanted for date night.

In this brave new world of ornamental hosiery, quality emerges: exceptional cuts, intricate patterns, and a delightful play on textures await us. So here’s to knee-highs, the ultimate chameleons of our closets—sophisticated, playful, and everything in between. Because if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, you might as well just knock them off their feet!