Unconventional footwear is taking over Hollywood this season as the “sock shoe” becomes the must-have accessory for style-conscious celebrities. These hybrid garments, which essentially look like socks with integrated soles, have been embraced by stars like Rihanna and Matty Healy, turning a traditionally bizarre look into a symbol of minimalist fashion.
Amy Smilovic, the creative director of the luxury brand Tibi, describes the trend as “good strange.” Her brand recently launched the Borg sock shoe, a design she views as a natural evolution of the “socks and sandals” look. Rihanna was recently seen wearing a $1,100 version from Bottega Veneta, and even 98-year-old entertainment legend Dick Van Dyke joined the trend, wearing orthopedic barefoot-style shoes to a high-profile red carpet event.
The design varies by brand. While Tibi’s version uses leather accents to look like a ballet flat worn with a sock, other luxury houses like Balenciaga, Yeezy, and Bottega Veneta offer versions that look more like athletic or thermal gear. Balenciaga recently debuted a $975 sock sneaker, and Kanye West’s Yeezy Pods have further popularized the aesthetic.
In a real-world test on the streets of New York City, the shoes proved to be a conversation starter. While they provide surprising comfort and pair well with trendy “balletcore” outfits, they aren’t without drawbacks. The thick knit material can be uncomfortably warm in summer heat, and keeping the fabric clean on grimy city sidewalks is a challenge for anyone who isn’t being whisked around in a private SUV.
Ultimately, fashion experts suggest these shoes are a status symbol. They signal a lifestyle of luxury where the wearer doesn’t have to worry about the practicalities of trekking through the city, making the “strange” footwear the ultimate Hollywood power move.