Socks: how do you wear yours?

While socks and sandals may seem like an unlikely style combination, that hasn’t stopped the trend from picking up pace with the fashion pack, who for a few years now have taken to the look with gusto. But this season, cotton-clad toes are cropping up more often than their bare-footed counterparts — and weather appropriateness is only the half of it.

Bright, polka-dot styles have proven a popular choice among the capital’s style plates they inject a bit of playfulness into their look. On Wednesday, songstress V V Brown pulled on a pair of white polka-dot socks with her all-black ensemble for Rita Ora’s album launch in Mayfair, while model Agyness Deyn went for a casual look for dinner at Nobu by teaming dark jeans and flat Mary Jane’s with red and navy spot print socks. Immortals star Isabel Lucas also chose to layer a red and white dotty ankle pair over navy blue tights recently, and actress Jessica Alba tweeted a picture of her “polka-dot socks ’n’ saddle shoe loafers” from her hotel room in Japan.

Also turning up the brights, DJ Fearne Cotton arrived at the Radio 1 studios on Tuesday sporting violet socks with her red Oxford brogues, and on the catwalk Anna Sui chose to match ankle socks to the outfits, featuring everything from ombre colour, heart print and lace.

Adopting a more demure version of the trend, Mulberry’s spring/summer offering featured classic mid-calf-length cotton socks in khaki green, bitter lemon and biscuit beige, while model Laura Bailey chose a similar style in dove grey with her Fifties summer dress at a recent film event.

But classic cottons aren’t the only style to be seen in, as pop socks also proved popular on the catwalk. Marni showcased its whole collection with flesh-toned granny tights, while Marc Jacobs chose a neutral palette of cream and soft browns, together with the occasional flash of scarlet.

Rihanna, however, proved that sensible and subtle isn’t the only way to wear this style, as she bucked the trend by pulling on a pair of scholastic black over-the-knee socks, together with peep-toe sandals and an animal print minidress for a night out.

Stylish schoolgirl or granny chic — how will you wear yours?