Layered Socks

The slouch sock was created to make several layers of sock colors show. The top was very elastic and stretchy, so they could overlap each other easily. They could also slouch down or fold over to keep them closer to your ankle.

To layer your socks effectively, you had to use multiple styles or colors. If your shirt was red and blue, you wore both red and blue socks. On the same foot – at the same time. Temperature be damned. If you really wanted to be creative, you could add on three pairs of socks or more.

If you wore three colors of socks or more, then you could partake in patterns. One side would be worn red, then white and then blue. The other side could sport white, then red and then blue. Sock manufacturers were smart during this time period and made socks thinner, keeping sock bunching in shoes at bay.

To take this 80s fashion trend one step further, one could even wear two socks, but of different colors. The left might wear the blue, the right might wear the red. Extreme versions of this pattern extended out to the shoes - a matching pair of shoes is just so 1970s.

Girls were the biggest advocate of this fashion fad of the 80’s. Boys and men didn’t like to coordinate sock colors, much less layer them for effect (thank goodness for that!). Layered socks were worn with jeans, spandex pants and even skirts. Stars on popular TV shows, like Family Ties and The Cosby Show furthered the popularity of this 80s fad.  A classic use of layered slouch socks would be a brightly colored top, mini skirt, slouch socks to match the top and a pair of hi-top Reeboks.  So cool.

If you are planning to attend an 80s-themed fiesta, this is just the sort of authentic 80s detail that will have others exclaiming how totally awesome you are!

Slouch Socks