Types of Striped Knee Socks
Knee socks are stylish, whimsical, and a fun accent to nearly any outfit. If you live in a cold climate, knee socks can provide a valuable layer of warmth with skirts, dresses or pants. Stripes are one of the most popular choices for knee socks, but wearing them well can be a bit more challenging than you might think. Choose striped knee socks that fit well, flatter, and work with your wardrobe.
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Lengths
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Striped knee socks come in a variety of lengths. A standard knee sock comes to right below the knee. This length works quite well under pants or knee-high boots. You will also find over-the-knee socks in stripes, which come to just above the knee. These work well with skirts, providing warmth. Finally, thigh-high striped socks are another option. These can be worn with short or long skirts. Be sure that you choose the right size if you are shopping for over-the-knee or thigh-high striped socks to make sure they fit comfortably.
Colors and Patterns
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Striped knee socks are available in a variety of colors, ranging from black and white to pastels. Some striped knee socks combine solid stripes with fair-isle style patterning on other stripes. Tone-on-tone striped knee socks are an option for a more adult, professional look. Reserve brighter and more boldly patterned striped knee socks for under boots at work or weekend wear. Narrower and lower contrast stripes will keep your striped socks from appearing to add weight to your legs.
Materials
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Cotton and cotton spandex blends are the most common fabrics for striped knee socks. You will also find wool-blend striped socks on the market. These are warmer and more durable, but also somewhat more expensive. Thin, lightweight spandex and nylon striped knee socks or over-the-knee socks may be available at some retailers. These should be worn and treated as you would knee-high stockings or trouser socks.
Style
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Younger girls, teens and twenty-somethings may want to wear striped knee socks with short skirts or dresses. Over-the-knee and thigh-high striped socks can also work for this look. Playful, high contrast stripes can look cute. If you are more mature, striped knee socks can be worn casually with knee length or longer skirts and dresses or under pants and with boots. Over-the-knee and thigh-high socks can be worn under longer dresses for warmth instead of tights, but keep in mind that showing your sock tops may be best reserved for younger girls.
Make Your Own
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If you cannot find the perfect striped knee socks, consider making your own. If you can knit in the round, you can make your own striped socks. Custom size your socks and stripe pattern. Work lightweight socks in fingering weight yarn or heavy and warm winter knee socks in worsted weight stripes. Knitting your own striped knee socks is especially helpful if you have thin or heavy legs, want something unusual in terms of color or pattern, or just enjoy the process.
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