'Fashion disaster' flip-flops with socks become new summer trend among young Koreans
Summary
Open-toe socks for flip-flops are becoming a new summer fashion trend among young Koreans. The style, once dismissed as a fashion disaster, is being worn for both comfort and looks, with designs ranging from cotton to lace and tabi-like split toes. Runway appearances by Miu Miu, Lemaire and Paloma Wool, along with DIY social media tutorials, have helped popularize it.
Key Facts
- The socks leave the toes exposed while covering the instep, and versions come in cotton, knit and lace.
- Some designs are low-cut or ankle-length, while others use a split-toe style resembling Japanese tabi.
- The look first emerged for practical reasons because flip-flop straps can rub against the instep on bare feet.
- Park Moon-soo, an assistant professor at Cheongju University, said younger people increasingly prefer small trends that help them differentiate themselves from mainstream fashion.
Actor Cha Jung-won wears open-toe socks with flip-flops. Captured from Cha Jung-won's Instagram
Despite the sweltering heat, open-toe socks designed for flip-flops are emerging as an unlikely fashion item.
Flip-flops are traditionally worn with bare feet, but the convention-defying look is gaining attention as a new trend.
The style is often marketed as open-toe or toeless socks. The design leaves the toes exposed while covering the instep. Versions come in cotton, knit and lace, with designs ranging from low-cut and ankle-length styles to split-toe versions resembling traditional Japanese tabi.
The socks first emerged for practical reasons. Flip-flop straps can rub against the instep when worn on bare feet, and the fabric helps prevent chafing.
Changing attitudes toward wearing socks with sandals have also helped the look gain acceptance. Once widely dismissed as a "fashion disaster," the combination has become a deliberate fashion statement. The socks leave pedicures visible while adding color and texture around the instep. Runway appearances have also raised their profile, with luxury brand Miu Miu presenting the look last year and Lemaire and Paloma Wool following this year.
Luxury brand Miu Miu features open-toe socks designed for flip-flops in its Spring/Summer collection last year. Captured from Miu Miu's official website
The trend has also inspired DIY tutorials on social media. Some users cut the toe sections off old socks, while others crochet custom pairs from scratch.
The look fits into a broader customization trend among Millennials and Gen Zers in Korea, following recent fads for decorating shoes and bags with small accessories.
"Recently, people have increasingly pursued 'small trends' that help them differentiate themselves, rather than following trends that are already too large or mainstream," said Park Moon-soo, an assistant professor in the Department of Art & Fashion Design at Cheongju University.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
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