There are some topics that can get very binary answers: pineapple on pizza, summer or winter, the Statue of Liberty in New Jersey or New York. Most recently, the great divider has boiled down to ankle socks, which Gen Z has declared canceled and seen only among old people out of touch with what the new trend is.
Online, regular social media users, influencers, and especially gym visitors are being made to look more closely at what kind of socks everyone wears. Gen Z insists that only millennials and older wear ankle socks, while Gen Z themselves favor higher crew style socks and—as far as the younger generation is concerned—only one is acceptable. Others, however, have very differing opinions.
Gen Z is letting everyone know they disapprove of ankle socks as a fashion choice favored by older people
@lili.deboisam i uncool♬ She can beat me but she cannot beat my oufit – Marinela
French TikToker Lili Debois has seen firsthand Gen Z denounce ankle socks as things of the past, with the gym being an easy indicator for anyone wanting to see this trend in action. In one video, Debois shared footage of herself at the gym, along with her outfit of choice.
RELATED: In The Jeans War Between Millennials And Gen Z, They Could Learn From Boomer Fashion
“Am I uncool?” she queried, showing off her ankle socks. Her followers assured her that no, her sock choice did not devalue her style or value, but they could see the generational divide in opinions firsthand.
“Ankle socks forever,” one cheered. Another shared, “My son, Gen Alpha hates this.”
Just what isn’t clicking for Gen Z when it comes to ankle socks?
Online, Gen Z is quick and excited to point out the generational difference between people who wear ankle socks as opposed to crew style. One noted, “ankle socks are now a millennial giveaway.” Another pointed out, “someone said they can tell millennials apart from gen z at the gym bc gen z wears crew socks and millennials wear ankle socks lmao.”
So goes an intergenerational conflict. One brave soul for Team Ankle Sock proudly insisted, “Gen Z will never scare me out of wearing a side part or ankle socks! Go to hellllllll lol.” Another slammed their younger cohorts, saying, “the biggest problem with Gen Z is that they made ankle socks unacceptable.”
Not all of their allies are as dedicated to the cause as they are, however. One person, apparently beyond the age range of 12 and 27, admitted that they are “retiring the ankle socks to keep up with gen z.”
On the other side of the issue, some were willing to hear Gen Z out, with one social media user insisting, “Crew socks are so much more comfortable though.” Another also pointed out, “They also prevent blisters! Gen Z is onto something.” An older millennial also admitted to getting a “late 80’s/early 90’s” feel from the look of taller socks and was very much for that—perhaps Gen Z was agreeing with millennials all along!
Where do you stand in the great sock debate?
