‘I’m sorry but it’s true’: Gen Z declare war on ‘Millennial socks’

First they came for skinny jeans and crop tops – now the younger generation has called for an end to a Millennial footwear staple.

First, they came for skinny jeans – now, Gen Z is calling for an end to ankle socks.

Zoomers and millennials have been locked in a bitter battle online regarding the hosiery, The New York Post reports, with the younger generation claiming you can tell a person’s age by merely looking at their footwear choices.

According to Gen Z trendsetters, mid-length socks – reaching the mid-calf – are the preferred height. The youngsters believe you can always spot a millennial when their socks barely peek out from the top of their shoes – or worse, don’t show at all.

To brazenly wear ankle socks is an act of “bravery” – or at least that’s what Vogue declared about Jennifer Lawrence when she stepped out in a pair this month.

Mid-length socks have had a resurgence lately, proliferating in street style and on the red carpet among Gen Z celebrities, like pop sensations Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter.

While some millennials have bowed to the style-shaming of youngsters – reluctantly retiring their ankle socks to keep up with Gen Z – others have refused to relinquish their no-show socks.

Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter has embraced the mid-length sock. Picture: Instagram

On social media, some millennials – and even some zoomers – are pledging their allegiance to ankle socks, vowing they’ll wear them “forever”. In other words, you’ll have to pry ankle socks from their cold, dead toes.

Despite the dreaded pitfalls of ankle socks – like fishing it out of your shoe when it inevitably slips off your heel – even some zoomers prefer the divisive garment to hit just below the ankle bone.

“I’m Gen Z and I’m going to say it: some shoes look better with ankle socks,” content creator Caroline Colvin said in a recent TikTok. “I’m sorry but it’s true.”

Some millennials have bowed to the style-shaming of youngsters. Picture: TikTok

Billie Eilish embraced the new trend at this year’s Golden Globes. Picture: Gilbert Flores/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty Images

Millennials, on the other hand, blame their upbringing. The low-profile socks have become “so ingrained” in them, comparing Gen Z garments to the regrettable tube socks worn by their Boomer parents in their heyday.

“I just need Gen Z to understand that, in the early 2000s, showing lower shin was actually incredibly chic and elegant and the height of fashion,” creator, comedian and podcaster Matt Bellasai said in a recent video.

“Anybody who wore crew socks was a dirty nerd who deserved pity and ridicule and shame.”

This article originally appeared on The New York Post and was reproduced with permission