Generation Z declares war on socks and calls wearing “millennial socks” a “courageous act”

First, Generation Z was looking for skinny jeans, and now trendsetters are putting an end to socks.

The small garment has become – alongside Gucci belts and crow’s feet – one of the clearest visual differentiators between Zoomers and Millennials, with the latter preferring socks that just peek out from the tips of their shoes or, worse, are invisible at all.

Crew socks have become popular in street style and on the red carpet among Gen Z celebs; Sabrina Carpenter once paired white knee-highs with black strappy pumps and sported this style staple on stage, while Billie Eilish wore the socks on the carpet at both the Golden Globes and Oscars.

So boldly wearing ankle socks is an act of “courage,” or at least that’s what Vogue said about Jennifer Lawrence when she stepped out in a pair this month.

But the revival of the ’90s sock look worn by figures such as Princess Diana – who served as inspiration for a plethora of modern fashion trends – has sparked fierce criticism online from advocates of “millennial socks,” also known as ankle socks.

While some older people are bowing to the young’s style-shaming campaign – and reluctantly ditching their ankle socks in favor of crew neck shirts to “keep up” with Generation Z – others are refusing to give up this mainstay of millennial fashion and are clinging to their other supposedly passé outfits, like skin-tight jeans and bold side parts.

On social media, millennials—and even some Zoomers—are “dumping” their socks, much to their chagrin. Others are pledging their allegiance to socks, saying they’ll wear them “forever.” In other words, they have to pry the socks off their cold, dead toes.

Despite the dreaded pitfalls of ankle socks—like having to fish them out of your shoe when they inevitably slip off your heel—even some Zoomers prefer the controversial garment to end just below the ankle.

“I’m Gen Z and I’ll say it: Some shoes look better with socks,” content creator Caroline Colvin said in a recent TikTok. “I’m sorry, but it’s true.”

Millennials, on the other hand, blame their upbringing.

Having endured cruel bullying as children if they dared to wear socks above their ankles, flat socks are “as ingrained” in their culture as one compares Generation Z’s clothing to the regrettable ankle socks their baby boomer parents wore in their heyday.

“Generation Z just needs to understand that in the early 2000s, showing the lower part of the shin was incredibly chic and elegant and that it was all the rage,” said creator, comedian and podcaster Matt Bellasai in a recent video.

“Anyone who wore crew socks was a dirty nerd who deserved pity, ridicule and shame.”

Oh, how the tables have turned. Or rather, the tables – in this case the sock – are on the other foot.