When you’re expecting a baby, it can seem that the list of things you need to buy is never-ending: but breathe a sigh of relief, as newborn socks are some of the cheapest and cutest things to buy.
Baby socks are an essential purchase for those tiny feet. Babies have poor circulation, and their feet and toes can become cold very quickly. Socks keep them feeling warm and toasty and prevent babies from losing too much heat. Plus, they’re adorable - when you’re shopping for them in advance, it will be hard to believe any human feet can fit into such tiny socks.
If you’re not expecting a baby yourself, but are looking for the best newborn gifts, socks are the perfect present. They’re inexpensive to buy and are an essential part of a newborn’s wardrobe, so you know they’ll come in handy - plus, newborns need changes of clothes several times a day, so you can never have too many pairs of socks.
We went on a hunt to find the very best baby socks for the new arrival. We included a range of designs, price points and materials, so you’re sure to find a pair that works for your family. In this list, you’ll find gorgeously soft neutral pairs with merino wool for winter days, as well as cute character-themed socks and gift boxes perfect for newborn presents, and many more.
We also listed the sizes available, with many options for infants, toddlers and older children, just in case you’re in the market for socks but you’re already out of the bleary, sleep-deprived newborn phase. Bear in mind that as your children get older, you’ll need to take more factors into account when it comes to their socks, for example how they fit into shoes, and whether they have non-slip grips on the bottom to prevent falls.
Remember that babies grow incredibly fast, so while you’re doing your shopping, you may like to stock up for the future. You could buy pairs of newborn socks, as well as pairs for 0-6 months and 6-12 months. Your little one will be using them all before you know it.
Best newborn socks at a glance:
- Best for super softness: MORI Ribbed Socks 5 Pack - £17.50, Baby Mori
- Best for a splash of colour: Blade & Rose Bailey the Cow Socks - £3.50, Blade & Rose
- Best for a traditional look: Rachel Riley Heart Motif Ankle Socks - £8, Rachel Riley
- Best for specific sizes: PO.P Newborn Baby Socks - £5.50, PO.P
- Best for Peter Rabbit fans: Jojo Maman Bebe 2-Pack Peter Rabbit Baby Socks - £6.50, Jojo Maman Bebe
- Best for colder days: Falke Flausch Heat-regulating Merino Wool Babies Socks - £10, Falke
- Best for feminine fun: Jojo Maman Bebe 2-Pack Frilly Socks - £9.50, Jojo Maman Bebe
- Best for gifting: Sock Shop Babies and Kids 4 Pair Thought Deano Bamboo Dinosaur Gift Boxed Socks - £16.99, Sock Shop
- Best for an iconic character: Blade & Rose Paddington Out and About Sock - £3.50, Blade & Rose
Shop the best newborn socks below
MORI Ribbed Socks 5 Pack
Best for: Super softness
We’ve long been fans of Baby Mori and its selection of organic and stylish clothing and accessories for babies and kids, and this pack of five pairs of ribbed socks is a testament to the brand’s expertise. Available in multiple colour and size options, the socks are made of organic cotton and are, unsurprisingly, deliciously soft.
They’re also elasticated to make slipping them on and off your little one’s precious feet that bit easier - no small feat during nappy changes. We also loved the range of colours in the set, with a pleasing mix of blue and teal hues to match any outfit.
Buy now £17.50, Baby MORI
Blade & Rose Bailey the Cow Socks
Best for: A splash of colour
Your baby has all the time in the world to start wearing neutrals. For a splash of colour that will be the envy of the playground, buy them these cute Bailey the Cow socks from British children’s clothing brand Blade & Rose, best known for its eye-catching leggings.
In bright blue and green, with a quirky cow print on the front, the socks are made of a breathable cotton blend that your child will find super comfy. If you fall in love with the cow print, you can accessorise with a matching Bailey the Cow top and leggings.
Buy now £3.50, Blade & Rose
Rachel Riley Heart Motif Ankle Socks
Best for: A traditional look
If you’re looking to channel Princess Charlotte’s traditional style with your little one’s footwear, we love these pink heart motif ankle socks from classic British childrenswear brand Rachel Riley.
Made of a soft and stretchy cotton blend, the socks feature a subtle frill at the top, and a ribbed design in between the heart print. Available in bigger sizes too, you can kit your little girl out from the day she’s born till she’s two. We love the luxurious feel of these ankle socks, and they’re sure to add extra flair to any girly dress.
Buy now £8.00, Rachel Riley
PO.P Newborn Baby Socks
Best for: Specific sizes
One surprising thing about having a newborn baby is how much time you spend looking for socks that have inexplicably fallen off your baby’s feet. Narrowing down your baby’s foot size can really help little socks stay where they belong, which is why we love the specific sizes available at Swedish children’s clothing brand Polarn O. Pyret, or PO.P.
With sizes including 0-1 months or 1-4 months, you can make sure to have as personalised a fit as possible. We also appreciate how soft and stretchy these terry socks are and adore the classic stripy style.
Buy now £5.50, PO.P
Jojo Maman Bebe 2-Pack Peter Rabbit Baby Socks
Best for: Peter Rabbit fans
Peter Rabbit is a timeless tale - and you can’t go wrong with a Beatrix Potter gift. These adorable themed socks from UK baby brand Jojo Maman Bebe are available in blue, pink or natural, and combine so many trends in one go: they’re striped, they have the cartoon motif on the front, and they’re made of a cosy terry material.
And if this isn’t enough Peter Rabbit for you, the brand also makes everything from blankets to dungarees bearing the image of the iconic bunny. Now, to find an adult-sized pair just like this…
Buy now £6.50, Jojo Maman Bebe
Falke Flausch Heat-regulating Merino Wool Babies Socks
Best for: Colder days
Whether you’re a newborn baby or a grown-up, there’s nothing quite as comforting as slipping on a pair of warm socks on a cold winter’s day. These snuggly socks from German brand Falke come in seven different colours and three size options so you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your little one. The ribbed detailing is chic and timeless, while the merino wool and cotton blend protects against the harshest of winter days.
The sand colour offers a neutral vibe, but if you're looking to make more of a statement with your little one’s socks, there’s everything from pink to navy blue to choose from.
Buy now £10.00, Falke
Jojo Maman Bebe 2-Pack Frilly Socks
Best for: Feminine fun
For a traditional frilly sock with an adorable floral pattern, these retro-style socks from UK baby brand Jojo Maman Bebe have caught our attention. The gorgeously feminine two-pack is made of soft, stretchy cotton, and the frill detail will add the finishing touches to any outfit.
The socks are available in plenty of sizes, so if you get hooked on the frills, you can stock up for your child’s toddler years and beyond. If you’re not such a floral fan, the design is also available in a cherry print, which is just as cute.
Buy now £9.50, Jojo Maman Bebe
Sock Shop Babies and Kids 4 Pair Thought Deano Bamboo Dinosaur Gift Boxed Socks
Best for: Gifting
It is a truth universally acknowledged that you can never have enough pairs of socks, whether you’re a fully-fledged adult or a tiny newborn. This pack of dinosaur socks from Sock Shop will make sure your little one’s feet are warm and cosy at all times, and with four pairs to choose from, you won’t constantly be searching for the other sock.
The socks come in a cute box perfect for gifting and mini dinosaur fans will adore the cute range of prints. The material is soft, stretchy and breathable to keep baby’s feet protected, and it’s also available in size 12-24 months in case you want another set for when your little one is older.
Buy now £16.99, Sock Shop
Blade & Rose Paddington Out and About Socks
Best for: An iconic character
We all love the timeless tale of Paddington Bear, and the newborn you’re buying these cute socks for will no doubt, in time, be just as enamoured by the marmalade sandwiches, duffel coats and hard stares of the bear as the rest of us.
The adorable socks come in blue and red, with the Paddington motif on the front, and are available in plenty of sizes to see your little one through toddlerhood and beyond. Made of a blend of cotton, polyamide and elastane, they’re stretchy and soft, perfect for growing feet.
Buy now £3.50, Blade & Rose
Verdict: When it comes to lovely design, beautiful colours and comfortable material, the MORI Ribbed Socks 5 Pack gets our vote. In terms of eye-catching design, we also loved the Blade & Rose Paddington Out and About Socks.
