Aimee Lou Wood and Londoners Style Their Flats With White Socks Every Time

It won’t come as a shock to hear that flat shoes are trending. If you’ve been reading Who What Wear for any length of time, you’ll know we’ve long championed the joys of no-heels fashion. Whether it’s Mary Janes, loafers, ballet flats or the increasingly popular ballet trainer, if it keeps our feet firmly and comfortably on the ground, we’re fully on board.

Having explored the many shapes and styles of this enduring shoe category, I thought I’d covered every angle. That was until Aimee Lou Wood reminded me of a simple styling trick that makes even the most classic flats feel fresh and cool.

Rather than opting for bare ankles or wintry tights, Wood stepped out in not one, but two different pairs of black flat shoes this week, each styled with a bright-white pair of socks. First came a sleek pair of suede Mary Janes, followed closely by some glossy leather loafers, both brought to life with the subtle yet striking addition of some ankle socks.

Keeping her outfits streamlined and considered, Wood stuck to a minimal colour palette, building her looks around wardrobe staples like structured leather jackets and timeless straight-leg jeans. But it was the socks—layered neatly beneath her black flats—that added a sense of contrast, femininity and texture. That unmistakable clean finish that only white can deliver elevated her simple styling to something altogether more directional.

While Wood’s looks brought this clever combo back to the forefront of my mind, it’s actually a styling trick I’ve been spotting across London lately. As the city transitions from boots to lighter spring layers, the white sock-and-flat-shoe pairing has quietly become a go-to for those in the know.