I’m calling it: socks are the new shoes.
Just as staying in is the new going out, conference calls are the new birthday drinks and a flourishing sourdough starter is the new
aspirational accessory in our topsy-turvy world, so outdoor footwear has been swiftly relegated in favour of its former deputy. Socks.
It’s a dismal time in most respects, sure, but a really exciting time where your second drawer down is concerned. The
underwear-as-outerwear trend, one of fashion’s most elusive legends, is finally playing out for real. But on feet.
Of course, socks have been shuffling back onto the fashion agenda for a while now. It happens every decade or so, when the separate
trend spheres of kitsch, preppy and 1970s all swing back into orbit around the same time. For the past few months, we’ve seen more and
more statement pairs grace the catwalks and Instagram grids – thick, sturdy hiking socks casually rumpled above our lace-up Little Women
boots, glittery neon guys dressing up our Dad sneakers, and sheer, lacy numbers peeking out from platforms and prim Mary-Janes. Once the
preserve of the dowdy and blister-prone, pop socks are finally part of the outfit.
Then came *All This*. Shoes became redundant for 23 hours a day, and suddenly socks have been propelled from supporting cast member to a
starring role, the likes of which they haven’t enjoyed since the gymnasium “sock hops” of the 1950s. Especially now that so many of us
have given up brushing and/or washing our hair for the foreseeable, and it’s easier to just point the camera at our feet (probably next
to a slice of banana bread, improbably balanced on a duvet).
As the days merge together into one continuous mass of stretchy grey, socks are a cheery way to punctuate the meh. Some mornings, I
start with my socks and work upwards.
Tennie Chen is responsible for sourcing and supplier evaluation, with a focus on balancing product quality, cost efficiency, and supply chain reliability. My role involves identifying trustworthy manufacturers, comparing quotations, analyzing total landed costs, and ensuring compliance with international standards. I always prioritize long-term partnerships over one-time deals, aiming to work with suppliers who can provide consistent quality, competitive pricing, and flexible solutions. When making purchasing decisions, I evaluate not only the product itself but also the supplier’s production capacity, lead time, and after-sales support, ensuring that every cooperation contributes to sustainable business growth.
