From wild tights to sock-and-pump pairings, fall legwear trends should have something for everyone.
Retailers from across North America share their predictions for the must-have looks for the season:
Mary Elise McGowan
VP & DMM for children’s and intimate apparel, Neiman Marcus
“Cashmere socks are always a great cozy footwear treat in the winter months. And Wolford continues to be an important brand with our designer customers — it remains at the forefront of fashion trends in hosiery. Also, Commando is a newer resource in this arena. It offers our customers the most cutting-edge technology and trends in legwear.”
Janet Wright,
CEO, FloorPlay Socks, Toronto
“Socks are a means for men to express their individuality and to make a fashion statement. That said, there is also a trend this year to wear all black: black pants, black shoes and black socks. It’s a statement all its own. For ladies, this year pump sandals and socks are in and will be the big trend. And [our female customers] like their socks with patterns as well.”
Urania Shaklee
Owner, ModSock, Bellingham, Wash.
“2016 is the year of the sock, and the only way to do this trend wrong is not to do it. Right now, women are responding to flora-and-fauna designs. Men, meanwhile, are responding with envy to all the variety offered in women’s novelty socks, so companies are satisfying that by expanding many of their current themes with men’s sizing.”
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Vincent Nasserbakht
Co-owner, The Sock Hop, New York
“Consumers seem to be moving away from patterns that are loud just for the sake of being loud. Big, bright colors and ‘funky’ patterns used to be enough. Now people are wearing socks in cohesion with their wardrobe. They are still utilizing colors and patterns, but paying attention to the rest of their outfit. A sock now beautifully ties together an outfit. It does not stand out on its own.”
Lee Sylvia
Buyer, Sockshop & Shoe Co., Santa Cruz, Calif.
“One of the top trends in women’s hosiery this fall seems to be in wildly bold, unique prints. The industry is moving away from basic or conservative opaque tights toward interesting patterned and textured leggings, which tends to be an easier accessory piece than pantyhose or tights. Men’s and women’s fashion sockwear seems to be taking on more licensed branding. This fall Socksmith will debut a Spam style that I expect to be a best-seller.”
Amy Gray
Buyer, The Sock Monster, Seattle
“Our customers like a ton of bright, colorful novelty socks. Now we’re seeing lots of socks that have been printed and sublimated with designs, so not just knitted into the material. Brands have made a lot of improvements to getting images onto the socks so they don’t fade or look distorted.”
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