You might wonder why anyone would need a guide on wearing socks with Vans. After all, it’s just throwing on a pair of socks and slipping into your shoes.
Wrong.
While it might seem like a simple task, there’s a bit of an art to wearing socks with Vans. Get it right, and you’ll look awesome; get it wrong, and you’ll look like a hot mess.
Why You Should Be Wearing Socks With Vans in the First Place
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to wear socks with Vans, let’s first talk about why you should be wearing socks with Vans, to begin with.
For starters, it’s more comfortable. When you wear socks with your Vans, you’re creating a barrier between your foot and the shoe itself. This barrier helps to prevent the following:
- Blisters
- Sweaty Feet
- Odor
- Abrasions or sores on the foot
Aside from preventative measures, socks also provide added warmth in cold weather and absorb sweat on hot days. They also add an extra layer of protection if you accidentally step in something gross.
They can help extend the life of your shoes by absorbing some of the wear and tear.
What Happens if You Don’t Wear Socks With Vans?
If you don’t wear socks with your Vans, you’re setting yourself up for several problems. For starters, your shoes will stink, and they won’t last as long. Moisture from your feet will rot the shoe from the inside out.
Additionally, your feet will likely develop blisters or sores on the skin. And if you do happen to step in something gross (such as a questionable puddle), your feet will be exposed to whatever you stepped in.
Finally, wearing socks with Vans looks way cooler than just slipping into your shoes barefoot. But, don’t worry; if you want that barefoot look, we have just the sock for you (hint: no-show socks).
What Types of Vans do You Have?
Vans are available in the following styles:
- The Slip-On – These classic slip-ons feature a low profile with a laceless design. Made from 100% canvas.
- The Authentic – 100% canvas upper features a waffle thread sole, classic stitching, and flag branding. Lace-up closure rests just below the ankle bone.
- The Old Skool – Low-top shoes with padded collars to provide support. Blend of leather and canvas. Lace-up closure.
- The Era – The iconic skateboarding shoe. Canvas uppers with a padded collar. Lower cut similar to The Authentic. Lace-up closure.
- The SK8-Hi – High top with extra heel cushioning and support. Leather and canvas body paired with a waffle outsole.
What to Consider When Pairing Socks with Vans
Now that we’ve talked about the importance of wearing socks with Vans and the different types of Vans shoes available, it’s time to discuss the considerations for pairing socks with your Vans.
Occasion
The type of socks you wear with your Vans will depend on the occasion. If you’re just wearing them for style, you have more freedom with your choices. However, if you’re wearing them for skateboarding, you’ll want to choose socks that provide more support and protection.
Season
Some Vans shoes are better suited for certain seasons than others. For example, The SK8-Hi is a great choice for winter because it’s a high top with extra heel cushioning. On the other hand, the Slip-On is a good choice for summer because it’s low profile and made from 100% canvas.
Here are some recommendations we have for each of the popular Vans shoes:
| Vans Shoe Type | Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slip-On | No | Yes | No | No |
| Authentic | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Old Skool | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Era | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| SK8-Hi | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Color
The next consideration is color. When choosing the right socks to wear with your Vans, you’ll want to consider the color of your shoes and the color of your socks. You’ll want to choose two colors that complement each other but can still stand out on their own. Of course, a solid color that complements your shoes is always a safe choice, but don’t be afraid to experiment with patterns and textures.
Style
Lastly, you’ll want to consider the style of your socks. Generally speaking, you’ll have a few different options:
- Dress Socks: These are usually thinner and come in neutral colors. They’re designed to be worn with dress shoes but can also be worn with Vans, especially with funky prints or patterns.
- Athletic Socks: This sock type is much thicker and usually is available in brighter colors. They provide more support and are ideal for activities like skateboarding or running.
- Casual Socks: These are somewhere in between dress and athletic socks. They come in various colors and styles, so you have plenty of options.
- No-Show Socks: Provides all the great features of socks, but you’re sure that they won’t peek above the top of the shoe collar.
Outfit
What else you’re wearing will also play a role in what type of socks you should wear with your Vans. For example, if you’re wearing shorts, you may want to consider going with a no-show sock for an invisible appearance or all-in with a crew sock.
Other attire that pairs well with Vans includes a denim jacket, skinny jeans, or even a sweatshirt.
What Kinds of Socks to wear With Vans
The great part about Vans is that they look good with just about any type of sock. However, we recommend choosing socks that complement the style of your Vans while also remaining comfortable.
When choosing, you’ll want to consider the style and color of your Vans, the colors of your clothing, and the type of occasion for which you’re wearing them.
For example, if you wear black pants with a white Vans Old Skool, you might want to consider wearing black and white striped socks for a nice match. However, if you want to make a statement, work with the color wheel and go for complementary colors, such as purple socks with yellow Vans.
Another suggestion that I find helpful is checking out Instagram and searching the hashtag #vans or #vansoldskool for an endless stream of inspiration.
Last but not least, don’t be afraid to experiment. Vans are a versatile shoe, so have fun with them and pair them with whatever socks you think to look best.
What to Wear With Vans Slip-On
For Vans Slip-Ons, consider wearing no-show or invisible socks. This will give the illusion that you’re not wearing socks, which is the classic look. However, if you want to add a pop of color or pattern, consider wearing low-cut socks that peek out just above the shoe collar.
What to Wear With Vans Authentic
For Vans Authentics, you can really mix and match pretty much any type or style of socks. For example, if you want to keep it classic, go for a no-show or invisible sock. Or, if you want to add a pop of color or pattern, consider wearing low-cut socks that peek out just above the shoe collar. The possibilities are endless!
What to Wear With Vans Old Skool
The iconic Old Skool style goes well with just about any type of sock. If you’re wearing black pants or jeans with a white Old Skool, consider wearing your favorite pair of plain white athletic socks for a clean, classic look. Feel free to experiment with funky colors or patterns for more daring outfits.
What to Wear With Vans Sk8-Hi
If you are wearing Vans Sk8-His, consider wearing athletic or casual socks that provide extra support for activities like skateboarding. Many people also like to wear thicker, longer sport socks or white crew socks for the wintertime and pair them with a high top or boot style Vans shoe. Black slim pants paired with a white t-shirt also look great when worn with these types of shoes.
What to Wear With Vans Era
Consider wearing low-cut socks, ankle socks, or perhaps even mini crew-style socks for Vans Eras. These provide a nice balance between comfort and style, so you can look great without sacrificing functionality. Whatever you choose, just be sure that the socks work well with your pants or shorts.
Best Socks To Wear With Vans
If you need a bit of help deciding the best type of socks to wear with Vans, check out this table we put together. It includes our recommended sock type for each style of Vans, so you can easily find a good match for any outfit.
| Vans Shoe Type | No-Show | Ankle | Mini-Crew | Crew |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slip-On | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Authentic | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Old Skool | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Era | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SK8-Hi | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Of course, these are only our suggestions, so feel free to experiment with different types of socks and colors until you find the look that works best for you!
Conclusion
The bottom line is that there are no hard and fast rules for choosing the right socks to wear with your Vans. Just have fun with it and experiment until you find the perfect combination.
And don’t forget, if you ever need inspiration or suggestions, check out Instagram and search the hashtag for Vans, as endless photos and ideas are waiting to be discovered!