Micro Trend Spot: White Frilly Ankle Socks. WTF.

There aren't many new season trends that 7-year-old me would get excited about, but I think she'd definitely appreciate the ankle socks that seem to be finding favour with the fash pack for SS13. It's been bubbling under for a while – for the last couple of summers, no shop window mannequin was considered dressed without a pair of ankle socks on her gams. In the last week, I've seen them on the actual street as well as LOOKATME street style snaps, being worn by grown women with sandals, brogues, creepers, ankle boots, runners and court shoes, paired with skirts or cropped trousers to ensure maximum exposure. They're mostly white and often frilly and/or lacy with turn-down detail, meaning that the majority look like they were lifted straight out of my Communion photos.

I suspect that fashion's current love affair with the Orient and the '80s/'90s revival may be to blame, or perhaps it's a renewed interest in geek chic, but whatever the origin of the renewed popularity of the on-show ornate ankle sock I am still bewildered by their reappearance.

Especially in February when it seems bonkers to be baring your ankles to the elements. At least this girl had the sense to layer hers over a pair of good thick tights.

There's something much too little girl-ish about white frilly ankle socks for my tastes, probably because they're not usually seen on anyone past primary school age. I'm a fairly girly girl but there's no question in my mind that this is a fashion don't.

If you're determined to rock these socks, at least steer clear of wearing them with anything short, cutesy, or feminine. As demonstrated by Bip Ling and Mollie King, that's a combo that can start to verge creepily on Lolita-esque.

*Pukes.*

Er, I mean - what say you? Are you a fan of the fancy ankle sock?

images via Lookbook // WENN // PA