It's Officially Socks-With-Loafers Season—Bella Hadid Just Styled the Fall Trend the Hailey Bieber Way
Our take

The cyclical nature of fashion trends can feel relentless, but the swift retreat of flip-flops from the celebrity style landscape in favor of socks with loafers signals something more considered than a mere whim. It's a pivot towards a quiet sophistication, a move away from the aggressively casual summer aesthetic and towards a layered, textural approach that feels distinctly autumnal. This shift, championed by figures like Bella Hadid and echoing a style previously embraced by Hailey Bieber, isn’t just about footwear; it’s indicative of a broader mood in fashion, one that prioritizes refinement and understated elegance. As we’ve noted in [From Chanel to Bottega: The Designer Shoes Fashion People Will Be Wearing in Autumn 2026], the focus is increasingly on investment pieces and timeless silhouettes, and this sock-and-loafer pairing perfectly embodies that sentiment. The deliberate clash of textures – the smooth leather of the loafer against the knit or ribbed texture of the sock – adds a subtle visual interest without resorting to overt embellishment.
The rise of this pairing also speaks to a broader anti-trend sentiment gaining traction. We’ve explored this in [H&M Just Dropped the Chicest Autumn Basics—19 Anti-Trend Pieces I'm Backing for the New Season], where foundational pieces are taking precedence over fleeting fads. Socks with loafers aren’t about making a statement; they’re about quietly elevating a classic silhouette. This aligns with the current cultural landscape, where consumers are increasingly seeking longevity and versatility in their wardrobes. The look possesses an inherent ease and adaptability, lending itself equally well to tailored trousers or relaxed denim. Furthermore, the comfort factor shouldn’t be dismissed. After a summer dominated by minimalist sandals, the added warmth and coziness of socks offer a welcome transition into cooler weather, without sacrificing style. It’s a practical choice that happens to be incredibly chic – a hallmark of the modern, discerning dresser.
The adoption of this trend by high-profile figures like Hadid and Bieber further cements its status as a style benchmark. Their influence extends beyond mere replication; they shape the *feeling* of a trend, associating it with a certain effortless cool. This isn't about blindly following a dictate from the runway; it’s about observing how style icons organically integrate pieces into their existing wardrobes, creating a look that feels both authentic and aspirational. The subtle, almost nonchalant way they wear the socks and loafers suggests a confidence and self-assuredness that resonates with audiences seeking to emulate their elevated yet relatable style. It’s a testament to the power of understated elegance – a quiet confidence that doesn't require shouting to be heard. This also connects to the broader shift in beauty, as discussed in [I'm Looking Ahead—Per Celebrity Hairstylists, the Whisper Fringe Is Going to Be Major Come Autumn], where subtlety and naturalism are increasingly prized.
Ultimately, the socks-with-loafers trend isn't a sudden revelation but a gradual evolution, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards mindful consumption and understated luxury. It’s a move away from the performative aspects of fashion and towards a more personal and considered approach to style. The question now is: will this trend maintain its momentum throughout the fall and winter, or will it evolve into something new? And perhaps more importantly, how will individuals personalize this look to reflect their own unique sense of style, ensuring it remains a statement of effortless sophistication rather than a fleeting trend?
Flip-flops are disappearing from summer's celebrity shoe trend circuit faster than expected. Last year, Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and more thong sandal supporters stayed loyal to open-toe styles long after Labor Day. On August 24, however, Bella Hadid's Instagram post confirmed she already switched to the fall-favorite socks-with-loafers trend.
Giving her 59 million followers a sneak peek into her life in L.A. (and a business meeting for Ôrebella), Hadid stacked a cream-colored slip dress over a white Henley tee, shade-matched to her scrunched-up socks. Judging by how much cotton-looking fabric pooled around her ankles, it seems the hosiery could've stretched as high as her knees. However, because of Southern California's no-socks-needed heatwave, she kept the ribbed pair at the crew length.

In the next shot, Hadid slipped her white socks into black leather penny loafers, which looked fresh from her sister's cold-weather wardrobe. Earlier in the year, Gigi Hadid wore almost identical shoes from Saint Laurent (the brand that regularly books Bella for its Paris Fashion Week shows) with a suede trench coat and the popular Guest In Residence scarf.
Whether the sisters own the same loafers remains a mystery, but I wouldn't be surprised. They're both fans of the Guest In Residence bandana, after all.
Hadid wasn't the first fashion girl to style socks with loafers—and she won't be the last. The effortlessly cool combo has stood the test of time in celebrity closets. Zoë Kravitz started sampling the pairing as early as 2016, wearing Nike-branded socks with ruched black loafers. More recently, she offset the laid-back look of her baby blue button-down with the classic duo.

Kravitz isn't the only A-lister who can't stop, won't stop styling the two together. Last fall, Bieber wore white socks with black leather loafers on repeat. She would occasionally switch things up, though. Case in point: The pony hair leopard-print loafers the Rhode founder wore with an oversized biker jacket and micro shorts.

Earlier this summer, months before Hadid gave socks-with-loafers a go, fashion editor Lauren Tappan proved the trend has major season-defying potential. "My co-workers will attest that I’ve been wearing this exact nine-to-five uniform nearly every week," she said, styling it with mini skirts, straight-leg jeans, and denim Bermuda shorts.
All that to say: You don't have to wait for the next 50-degree day to slip socks into leather loafers. Shop the edit below to get a head start on the signature fall look.
Shop Socks and Loafers Inspired by Bella Hadid
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