Are we wearing socks with our ballet flats now? Elsa Hosk says yes

Last summer we experienced the roaring success of the 'wrong shoe' theory, seeing tastemakers pair their ensembles with an odd shoe choice. Now, the postulation has been expanded upon, as we see style mavens like Elsa Hosk stuff socks into shoes that – historically – shouldn't come anywhere near hosiery. But this isn't your normal Birkenstock and crew sock combination. No, Hosk held no bars bending styling rules to step out in bunched-up sports socks and ballet flats – looking surprisingly on point with her fancy footwork as a result.

We've seen Hosk sport the combination on multiple occasions, the latest while attending a tennis-inspired event. The model kept things simple court-side, pairing tennis whites in the form of a long-sleeved cotton T-shirt (sleeves rolled up) and a ruffly poplin skirt with a moss-green Kelly bag and cap. What made the outfit a smash, however, was the combination of cult-status Alaïa ballerinas – with the silver eye lets, of course – and white crew socks.

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Hosk has previously proven that the pairing is particularly poignant for transitional weather – when you shrug on your wool coat or a fuzzy jumper with your mini skirt. For example, she's recently worn a pointed patent flat with tonal beige socks, a cream-coloured coat and a white wrap skirt. Then there was the curb-side moment when the supermodel wore black ballerinas with grey socks, a grey jumper and a black mini skirt – topped by a bright red bag.

While we're using Hosk as a shining example of how to wear the trend, she is far from the only one who has adopted the look. Really, it originated on the spring/summer runways and is carrying on into the autumn ahead. A handful of examples; 3.1 Philip Lim's sheer socks worn with Mary Jane-style ballet flats, No. 21's pointed ballerinas styled with a sequin coat and minimal black clothing, and – carrying into the new season – Isabel Marant presenting a leather set worn with fishnets, black crew socks and ballet flats.

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Looking to the runway, there's no end to odd sock-and-shoe choices. Slouchy black mohair socks stuffed into a gold sandal at Akris' autumn/winter '24 show; white patent pumps with elevated with groovy geometry in Dries Van Noten's spring/summer '24 collection; Givenchy pairing sheer brown knee highs with silver sling-backs for its resort show – the potential for strange styling choices with improbably chic results are endless.

Whether worn for sheer style impact or to expand the wearability of your slip-ons in winter, it seems there is ample reason to sport socks with ballerinas throughout 2024. So take a leaf out of Elsa Hosk's styling handbook and shed any fear of looking like a chaotic catholic school girl; it's high time to conquer this comfy trend – one sock at a time.