Socks can make or break an outfit; the wrong pair can throw off your look, but really beautiful socks can completely transform what you’re wearing, adding a high fashion twist to an otherwise simple ensemble with sartorial ease. One of my favourite ways to elevate simple spring style is to open your sock drawer and embrace bold colour – the brighter, the better. Our lightweight merino wool and organic cotton GS socks are available in a rainbow of vibrant colours and bright patterns, allowing you to add a fun spring twist to even the simplest of outfits. 

Inspired by stylish duo Penny and Nikki of Style in the Stix, I’m going to share both simple and more innovative styling suggestions for how to update your outfits with colourful socks this spring. Penny and Nikki bring such fun, energy and personality to their style with just a pop of colour at their ankles, showing effective and effortless ways that socks can update your look. 

The obvious option, perhaps, is to add a little extra flourish to a simple jeans and t-shirt pairing by opting for a colourful sock. The beauty of this incredibly simple yet stylish outfit is that you can update it each day simply by choosing a different pair of socks in whatever colour of pattern takes your fancy. The shoes you wear with this can also elevate the overall outfit, or make it suitable for different occasions. Personally, I love wearing my Quin merino wool t-shirt, my favourite jeans, a pair of bold red cotton socks and my Birkenstock sandals on a sunny spring day. 

It can be tempting to reserve brightly hued socks for this purpose – dressing up an otherwise simple outfit – yet Penny and Nikki demonstrate how bold socks can be considered as part of a more daring or innovative look. I especially love how they styled our olive green jacquard skirt with a Laide brushed wool knitted vest and a pair of black loafers – this elegant outfit really pops thanks to the addition of a pair of baby blue cotton ankle socks. Not what you would perhaps expect, but an addition which feels really fresh and contemporary. 

Another of their looks which I’ll be trying out this spring is using a bold pair of socks to break up an otherwise monotone outfit. A dark denim skirt paired with a navy knit or a denim jumpsuit given a finishing flourish with a pair of ravishing red ankle socks. Your attention is immediately drawn to the socks, with the pop of colour elevating the outfit.

The beauty of styling your spring outfits with colourful socks is that there are endless possibilities! Even the shoes that you choose to pair your socks with can be rotated to give a different look to each outfit. Consider a billowing full-length skirt paired with a simple t-shirt and woollen jumper: add a bold sock and you’ll give this outfit a more contemporary edge, but the shoes that you choose can make it work for a spectrum of different occasions. The red cuff of a pair of socks peeking out from ankle boots, a fun pair of striped socks paired with classic white trainers, elegant jade green socks worn with smart loafers, or spring-appropriate butter yellow socks worn with your favourite sandals. The styling possibilities are endless, whether you want to add personality to a work outfit or create a transitional look for a spring garden party. 

I will never stop championing socks, as they are such a small garment but can instantly elevate your outfit. Our GS cotton and merino wool socks are made in Britain from the softest, most breathable natural fibres, making them perfect for spring styling when the weather is warming up but there’s still a chill in the air. If your sock drawer (like mine) is filled with colour and pattern, I’d love to see how you style your favourites, so please tag me on Instagram when you’re showing off your GS socks. 

Discover our British Made Sock Collection Here.