Remember when you got given a pair of sparkly socks for Christmas and complete disappointment took over and you had to hide your facial expression and pretend you loved them? Yeah, us to. You might as well have received nothing because that was everyones attitude towards socks.
Oh how times have changed because to be honest, the thought of new socks is one of utter excitement as socks are a big thing in the world of fashion.
Brought back into popularity by the one and only Gucci - who seems to be setting all the trends - the powerhouses crystal-embellished, logo-monogrammed socks were the star of the show at their recent Resort 2018 collection.
It's pretty obvious that socks have become a big thing both on the runways and the high street - take Topshop for example, they're socks have always been on point, from sassy emoji socks to Disney socks, they've been the high street front runner for some time but the popularity of the masses is only just happening - both for women and men.
"It became a trend at Gucci," says Chelsea Power, a buyer at MatchesFashion.com, who states that the e-commerce site has seen quadruple-digit growth in the sales of socks in the last two years.
"Two years ago, there were absolutely no socks at Gucci. Designers now understand that it's a big opportunity in the same way that sunglasses are - it's accessible for those who can't afford a runway look but also appeals to those who want the full runway look."
We've known for a long time that men are the ones purchasing socks as they are the perfect way for them to express their individual style.
"Due to the rise of sportswear and sneakers from brands, it has meant that the athletic sock has come to the forefront of men's style from a fashion point of view," says buying director at Mr Porter, Fiona Firth. "With trousers and jeans, as well as shorts, getting shorter, socks are becoming increasingly more important in order to complete the look."
Adding to the conversation, Donna Wallace, accessories editor at ELLE UK says, "essentially we're all wearing the same shoes now - Stan Smiths, Converse, Vans, Nike - so it's a great way to dress your footwear differently."
Deemed a fashion faux-pas, socks and sandals, they are now a go-to for those in the know.
"Now you have slides and socks, which is very much a look," Wallace adds. "'Normal' is a fashion reference and bad taste has become good taste. It's all about the high-low mix."
This look might not be for everyone, but it's a perfect way of expressing your style if your not one to go out of the box.
Get down to your nearest Topshop, Topman, Primark, New Look - there's bound to be something for everyone and you'll have one of the biggest trends nailed down to a T.
