Style tips with Riccardo Linarello and Happy Socks

Happy Socks interviewed fashion editor and stylist Riccardo Linarello who has created a sock-centric style guide to inspire your fashion adventures, sharing his best styling tips.

Are you that person who spends a *little* extra time pairing your socks with your cuffs or considering how your nose ring works with the buckles of your clogs? There’s no shame in that! Pay attention to the details and mix up grandma chic with some intriguing patterns. Match or clash with the seats on the train, the choice is yours. The result: an original look, where everything adds up in the most harmonious way.

Dip your toes into the most comfy trend of the season: sliders. A pair of sliders in leather and cork matched with dress socks and a co-ord set stand for a perfect smart-casual combo. To feel even more at ease, throw in your favorite cap. Above all, stay hydrated!

You know what they say: it’s never a bad time for wearing fierce animal prints and even fiercer yellow socks. So after fixing the top-and-toe situation, whatever gets in between will look just right. Layer up, trim your dog’s coiffure and venture into the weekend like the street is your private runway.

It’s Saturday mor…midday, and the spirit of yesterday’s night hasn’t left your system yet. Going out and grabbing a much needed lunch may be a bit of an effort. Looking effortlessly chic doesn’t need to be. Think high and low, long and short. Mix the comfort of your PJs under a classic lapelled coat. To finish, clash streetwear classics such as a bucket hat and checkered sneakers with a real classic-classic: argyle print socks.

Is your weekend agenda stuffed with activities and events? An afternoon tea with grandma, a date at the museum and off to a sweaty night at the club – oh, it would also be nice to see something more than just the light in your fridge… To dress for all occasions, keep the base casual, but sprinkle it with some festive elements – a hair accessory and a fancy cuff on your socks will do the trick.

If you’re looking for a way of incorporating more prints into your outfits, start with mixing some classic geometric patterns. Checks, stripes and zig-zags have a magical way of blending really well together. A paisley-printed bandana is a bonus if you’re feeling really confident.

After an eventful weekend, you may be trying to keep it low key and dressing up to fit in rather than to stand out. Layering more neutral tones will make you blend into the office landscape. But don’t be surprised if your socks put you in the spotlight again! Take a look at some more ideas to get your 9-to-5 looks on point.

Happy Socks: How important are socks in an outfit?

Riccardo Linarello: For me personally, socks are very important. I like to use socks as a little hidden detail that helps complete the look in an interesting way.

HS: What was your process while building the outfits presented in this project?

RL: For the two projects I worked by first creating the looks and then inserting the sock to complete the outfit. On the “paparazzi” project, I created looks that reminded me of VIPs (even though they are actually normal people, not famous) who try to go about their daily lives incognito. Here the sock was designed to complete the look and to blend in better with the rest of the outfit.

HS: What are your tips for trying different kinds of socks and daring to wear more colorful and outstanding designs?

RL: I recommend using socks as a smart accessory as they can add an extra touch to a look. You can start with the mix of clothes you like the most and use socks to stylishly complete your outfit, by personalizing it according to your taste. Colors are important and can be used in different ways to complete looks. In the two projects you can see two different ways of using them. The first where they blend in and the second where they contrast to give a strong identity to the look.

Happy Socks is a Swedish manufacturer and retailer of socks, underwear, and swimwear. The company was founded in 2008 by Mikael Söderlindh and Viktor Tell. The brand’s vision is to bring happiness and color to every corner of the world – inspiring authentic self-expression through color, creativity, and fun.

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