The most wonderful time of the year comes with a dress code.
At its most rudimentary sit red and green with maybe a flash of gold to add a luxe feel. Red and white are also acceptable; do it right (with stripes), and you’ll turn into a walking candy cane - and what’s not jolly about that?
Entering the sledgehammer end of the scale are festive jumpers, with pretty ones (think bow motifs and Fairisle patterns) giving a twee tilt to your outfit. Novelty jumpers should be reserved for Christmas Jumper Day (December 12 this year) or raucous parties with your inner circle. Make your purchase fit the season of goodwill by opting for designs that donate to charity. Tis the season, after all.
And if you don’t fit into any of these bow-tied boxes? A subtle nod with an accessory like a tie or a festive pair of socks will add a cheering element.
In fashion terms, 2024 was the year that socks had a fashion moment. We brazenly donned white or colour block socks teamed with everything from sandals and heels to Crocs. Socks peeked out of mud-splattered festival Wellies; knee-highs became the mini dress's BFF. Red socks became the fast track to making a dated outfit feel new and preppy, mimicking the unexpected red trend seen in interiors.
As fashion trends go, it’s one of the more inexpensive ones. Compared to a new IT bag or jacket, a fresh pair of socks is a drop in the ocean. It’s a look anyone, happily, can buy into.
And with Christmas here, it’s time to check out a fresh pair of festive - or festive-adjacent - designs.
From lacy bows to bright palettes ready to jolt any all-black winter outfit to life, Christmas socks inject festive cheer in the easiest possible way. They’re chic because they’re subtle; playful without being confrontational. They can be worn by anyone, which means that they make easy gifts.
We’ve rounded up the nicest pairs of Christmas socks below, for gifting or adding a bit of magic to your December outfit.
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Best Christmas socks for women
Calzedonia Bow Short Socks
Now here's a pair of socks to base your entire outfit around. From Calzedonia comes these bow-finished ankle socks crafted from soft cotton.
Buy now £8.00, Calzedonia
Accessorize Embroidered Metallic Gingerbread Socks
Has anyone seen the gingerbread man? Smirk knowing you can reveal his whereabouts - on your ankle! The sweet character is the sole embellishment on this holly-red pair of socks from Accessorize, crafted from cotton with elastane for stretch.
Buy now £5.00, Accessorize
M&S 3pk Sumptuously Soft Candy Cane Ankle Socks
Sprinkle sweet festive cheer with M&S's triple pack of ankle-high socks, themed on candy canes. The red, white and pink palette is the perfect way to bring youthful exuberance to office suits and party heels.
Buy now £8.00, M&S
& Other Stories Bow Embellished Socks
Finery for your feet? & Other Stories' ribbed socks are finished with rhinestone embellished bows, adding merry sparkle to every step.
Buy now £14.00, & Other Stories
Sock Shop Women's 3 Pair Wildfeet Textured Knit Cotton Christmas Patterned Socks
Novelty knits with an extra helping of charm, Sock Shop's three-pack of Christmas socks bear Christmas pudding, holly and gingerbread man patterns respectively. They're crafted from cotton fibre blends, mixing comfort and breathability with quality.
Buy now £6.99, Sock Shop
Urban Outfitters Out From Under Bow Cable Knit Socks
Ward off the chill with a cable knit sock finished with contrast bows in a palette made for the Christmas period.
Buy now £16.00, Urban Outfitters
Boden 3 Pack Sparkle Socks
Make socks the star of the sartorial show with Boden's three-pack. Each one features contrast stripes and plenty of sparkle to have them all calling you twinkle toes.
Buy now £15.00, Boden
Chalier Finery 5 Pairs Womens Thermal Socks
The Fairisle option is undoubtedly the more hygge way to go. Take inspiration from the forever chic Scandis by pairing outfits with warm woolly socks finished with a pretty pattern. There are five pairs in this bundle, an incredible deal at this price.
Buy now £7.39, Amazon
Sock Snob Ladies Christmas Socks
Wear a fresh festive sock for practically every day of the week with this set which has six pairs of seasonally appropriate designs.
Buy now £9.98, Amazon
Best Christmas socks for men
GANT 2-Pack Ski Artwork Socks Gift Box
Who knows if it will snow this Christmas? Manifest magical snowflakes with GANT's twin-pack of mid-calf socks with one pair showing a ski theme. Available in cherry red or navy.
Buy now £20.00, GANT
Happy Socks Christmas Tree Sock
With a fresh checkerboard pattern on the sole and an oxblood red on the ankle, this festive sock offers oodles of 70s vibes. Add a decorated tree and consider your feet well and truly decked for the season.
Buy now £13.49, Amazon
Happy Socks Mushrooms, Christmas Gnomes and Classic Baubles Socks
Go big or go gnome this holiday season. Featuring bright and bold patterns and colours, there's no missing this Happy Socks design, whatever you team them with.
Buy now £9.56, John Lewis
Ralph Lauren Tartan Socks Gift Set
When it comes to Christmas, you won't put a foot wrong by sticking to tradition. Ralph Lauren's gift set is tartan-inspired, checking off those essential festive, cosy and comfortable boxes.
Buy now £40.00, John Lewis
Paul Smith Cotton-Blend Multi Stripe Socks
Bearing all the right festive shades, these designer socks by Paul Smith are ideal for adding a flash (or four) of colour for any Christmassy occasion.
Buy now £22.00, Paul Smith
Burlington Snowboarding Santa stretch-cotton blend socks
A snowboarding Santa? Well, the man has to get his kicks somehow. Don the motif on Burlington's premium cotton socks, with added stretch for extra comfort.
Buy now £14.00, Selfridges
FatFace Red Pudding Socks
Christmas puddings get their moment in the winter sun over at FatFace where the traditional dessert decorates this fun pair of socks.
Buy now £7.50, FatFace
ASOS DESIGN Christmas dinosaur tree socks in white
Go Jurassic this Christmas with a pair of bright white socks finished with an illustration of a T-Rex disguised as a decorated tree.
Buy now £6.00, ASOS
The London Sock Exchange Winter Wonderland Collection
Not only will you get six pairs of perfectly festive socks in this luxury gift set, but The London Sock Exchange will throw in styling notes too. If you often find yourself in the fashion wilderness, you'll appreciate this head's up.
Buy now £55.00, The London Sock Exchange
